ITI’s Theatre Resource Sharing initiative in association with Town Hall Theatre

Following the success of 2017’s pilot ELEVATOR mentoring and resource sharing initiative, Irish Theatre Institute (ITI), in association with Town Hall Theatre Galway, announces details of ELEVATOR 2018/19. ELEVATOR aims to build confidence and know-how among emerging theatre professionals in the area of producing through peer-to-peer learning and an established framework of mentoring and supports. ELEVATOR 2018/19 will see ITI partnering with the Town Hall again while also collaborating with other Galway based organisations and bodies to collectively build producing capacity in the lead-up to and beyond Galway 2020.

ITI calls for applications from ambitious, emerging Producers based in Galway, and its environs, to participate in the ELEVATOR programme (June 2018 – March 2019). Funded by the Arts Council, ELEVATORaims to encourage East/West partnerships by providing mentoring, strategic planning, training, project development and networking opportunities for emerging Producers at a crucial point in their careers. Applicants for ELEVATOR will have a strong entrepreneurial drive and be passionate about developing their careers, expertise, skills and networks. The emphasis of this capacity-building initiative is the development of creative opportunities and sustainability for independent Galway-based producers.

ELEVATOR RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

Successful applicants will commit to a Producer development programme from June 2018 – March 2019 which will include:

•  Ongoing access to information and administrative supports in ITI (Dublin) and Town Hall Theatre (Galway).

•  Professional development and training sessions with industry experts over the course of the programme. Topics to include touring, budgeting, project development, contract negotiation, health & safety, copyright, creative planning, fundraising and sponsorship and career sustainability.

•  Regular Producer mentor meetings with ITI Co-Directors Jane Daly and Siobhán Bourke to focus on identifying funding, producing partners, delivering production targets and building producer management capacity.

•  Assistance with funding applications e.g. Arts Council, Local Authority Schemes, Culture Ireland etc.

•  A Producer hot-desk space located in an arts organisation within Galway city.

•  Group attendance at key industry networking events and festivals.

•  A Professional Development Bursary of €1,000 for each participant for work-related activities and training opportunities associated with the ten-month programme.

•  Complimentary attendance as observers at ITI networking events e.g. Information Toolbox (September), International Theatre eXchange (October).

CRITERIA

To qualify to participate in ELEVATOR 2018/19 applicants must meet each of the following criteria:

•  Applicants must be a practicing professional independent Producer having worked on a minimum of two professional theatre productions in the past two years.

•  Applicants must be based in Galway, or its environs, and must be available to participate in the series of professional development engagements across ten months.

•  Applicants must have previous experience of applying for funding and grant schemes, whether successful or unsuccessful.

•  Applicants must have a pre-existing relationship with an artist/company with plans to produce in 2018/19.

•  Applications must be from individuals wishing to build a skill-set and experience as a producer working with independent artists, artistic collaborators and/or in the context of an emerging theatre company. We are not, in this instance, seeking applications from self-producing artists as this is addressed through other ITI programmes.

Please note that if you are already a participant in another Arts Council funded Resource Sharing Scheme or are a participant in one of Irish Theatre Institute’s existing artist support schemes you will not be eligible to also apply for ELEVATOR. We are sorry but we cannot accept applications from people still in third level training and education programmes.

REQUIREMENTS

Each applicant must submit a short proposal (max. 500 words) detailing aims and ambitions for the period from June 2018 – March 2019 accompanied by a CV (no more than 2 pages) outlining recent professional producing activities and existing skill set. Please indicate if you are involved in a project currently in receipt of any project funding or will be applying for funding in autumn 2018/spring 2019.

The proposal and CV should be sent by email for the attention of Leigh Hussey, Programme Coordinator to info@irishtheatreinstitute.ie

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All applications will be acknowledged by email. If you apply and do not receive an email please contact us to confirm that your application has reached us.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Midnight on Thursday 24th May 2018

ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS

•  Application is by open call to ensure fair selection and a wide range of participants.

•  Applications will be assessed by ITI Executive and Town Hall Theatre with a view to shortlisting for interview those applicants who satisfactorily meet the criteria set.

•  Interviews will be held in Galway on 31st May 2018.

•  A maximum of four places will be offered.

Note: ITI will announce an open call for a further initiative aimed at more established Producers to participate in ELEVATOR Advanced in autumn/winter 2018. Details on this application process will be available via ITI website in late summer 2018. www.irishtheatreinstitute.ie

PRIVACY (General Data Protection Regulation GDPR)

In accepting applications for ELEVATOR Producer Supports & Mentoring Initiative 2018 ITI will process data in accordance with the Arts Act 2003. Data collected will be assessed by ITI and Town Hall Theatre and will be held for a period of 3 years.

ELEVATOR Producer Supports & Mentoring is funded by The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíon Theatre Resource Sharing scheme.