Over the last 7 years, Creative Spark has had the pleasure of supporting 37 visual artists through the Creative Spark Residency Programme, and next year we hope to support even more! Kindly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Create Louth, the residency programme aims to offer support for artists of all disciplines.

Previous artists-in-residence include Tara Carroll, Niamh Hannaford, and Jennifer Slater, all of which are featured in this years’ exhibition, ‘Together Again’ in the An Tain Arts Centre.

The Creative Spark Residency Programme will provide opportunities for visual artists and art professionals to research and develop their practices. It will support both emerging and established visual artists working in any medium, but will give preference to those artists developing a body of work in a printmaking discipline. Application is by open call and is open to Irish and international applicants. Each residency will be supported by provision of studio space in Creative Spark, along with access to all the facilities and basic technical support and an artist stipend of €1,000.

The residency is 2-3 months in duration and gives artists the opportunity to further establish their practice or to learn another art form. During this time the successful applicant will have a fully fitted studio space with water supply. At the end of their residency, artists will be required to give demonstrations and provide talks on their practice during their residency and donate one piece to Creative Spark archives. The residency should include a community participation element and may conclude with an exhibition of the recipients work locally. 

To apply for the residency programme, visit the Creative Spark website today! The deadline for receipt of applications is the 19^th November.