Clare Arts Office are now inviting applications for the Embrace for Arts and People with Disabilities Scheme 2023/2024. This year we are awarding residencies to the value of €1,200.

• Organisations can select the following artists on the Embrace Artists Panel for the purpose of making the application: details of the Embrace Artists panel can be found at this link: https://clarearts.ie/context/embrace-arts-and-disability-panel/
• Residency application must be developed and written JOINTLY with the artist of choice.
• Individual artists are invited to apply for the Embrace Independent Artist Award ( details below).
• Please note. This online application platform will only accept one application per email address. In the instance where an artist is submitting several proposals with different organisations, the artist will need to ask the organisation to upload/submit the application.
• The deadline for receipt of applications is the 10th of November, 5pm.

Please see below for full details on the scheme and how to apply.

Aims of the Scheme

The Embrace Residency Programme has been designed to create the following opportunities for artists with disabilities at all levels in their arts practice and to support artists who facilitate projects and teach creative workshops in the area of arts & disability.

The following are the aims of the scheme.

• To offer participants the opportunity to engage in and enjoy inclusive, high quality, well supported residencies and projects across all art forms.
• To offer artist’s at all levels who have a disability the opportunity to develop their arts practices and professional skills and to exhibit and share their work publicly.
• To offer professional arts facilitators whose arts practices center on Arts and Disability the opportunity for employment and the opportunity to develop their professional skills.

The 2023/2024 Embrace Programme offers a number of awards under the following strands.

1)Artists Project Residencies: This award is open to organisations and artists on our Embrace Artist’s panel who wish to make a joint application to deliver high quality participatory arts project/s to a group of participants. Award amount €1,200

2) One to One Residencies: This award is open to artists who have a disability and who wish to avail of in-depth one to one tutoring and whose arts practice may benefit from a tailored and focused studio support with a professional artist. Applications can be submitted by an organisation and participant with input from selected professional artist from the Embrace Artist's Panel. Award amount €1,200

3) Independent Arts Practice Award: This new award is for artists who have a disability and who have an independent arts practice* ( * artists who make artwork on a regular basis and who do not engage with the arts through an organization) who wish to develop their arts practice with the additional support of a professional mentor.

This award offers €1500 to the artist/the applicant and €500 mentor's fee for a number of support sessions with a professional mentor. The artist may apply to develop or produce a small body of work, to undertake professional development in regards to profile building, learn about arts & business skills, learn new technical skills, undertake a short courser/series of workshops etc.

The role of the mentor will be to meet with the artist for 2-3 meetings ( at the outset, mid way and end) to support the development of the artist's process and practice. The applicant may source/ nominate a suitable mentor or the Arts Office can assist with sourcing a suitable mentor at the early stages of the application process.

Assessment Criteria

Projects will be assessed according to the following criteria

o Quality and innovation of the concept/idea for the proposal. (30)

o Quality of the artists work and track record as demonstrated by the support documentation submitted with the application, including the Artists CV. (30)

o Feasibility of the proposed project, budget, time frame, number of participants etc. (30)

o Potential for the project to leave a creative impact on the individual/group/org. (10)

Terms and Conditions

• No organisation or artist is guaranteed an award. The scheme will be adjudicated by an independent selection panel. The number of awards will be dependent on the funding available to the County Arts Office.
• Facilitating artists may apply for several residencies (up to three max) with a number of different organisations.
• If successful organistions agree to pay 50% of the cost of the artist's fees @€600 to Clare County Council (upon receipt of invoice).
• Organisations are responsible for covering the cost of materials.
• Artists are responsible for costing their projects appropriately in line with the award amount of €1,200. The Visual Artists Ireland recommended rate of pay for artists is €50 per hour for this type of work. Costs to include are: Artist's fee, prep, travel and attendance at opening/performance if any.
• Independent artists in receipt of the Independent Artists Awards will be required to provide receipts/proof of expenditure and to submit a short report upon completion of project.
• All award recipients will be required to sign a Health and Safety & Covid Risk Assessment checklist prior to initiating projects. Artist's are required to follow the organisations protocols regarding COVID.
• All successful artists are required to have adequate and comprehensive Public Liability Insurance to the value of (€ 6.5 million) indemnifying Clare County Council.
• All successful artists are required to undertake Garda Vetting and to undertake Child First Training (HSE-TULSA).
• Documentation and Evaluation. Upon completion of the residency the organisation ( with the assistance of the artist ) is required to submit up to five high quality images and/or a digital media link of music/video work created. This media will be used to showcase the project on the Clare Arts Office social media channels and website. Images can be of works in progress and/or completed works. The organisation is responsible for ensuring that all and any media submitted to the Arts Office with images of young children and vulnerable adults must first be approved for public use.