ELEVATOR: PRODUCER SUPPORTS & MENTORING

Irish Theatre Institute (ITI) welcomes applications from Producers for participation in ELEVATOR, a new 12 month Resource Sharing and mentoring initiative in association with Town Hall Theatre Galway. This new East/West partnership, funded by the Arts Council, will provide mentoring, strategic planning, training and networking opportunities for six emerging and mid-career Producers. Participants will be supported by administrative and infrastructural resources in two Producer Hubs, one located in Dublin (ITI) and one in Galway (at Town Hall Theatre). Participants will be provided with a stipend to allow them to see work by other artists and engage with networks in the partner city.

ELEVATOR will enable six producers to develop their expertise, skills and networks at a crucial point in their careers. Through an open call and application process, ITI will recruit six mentee Producers (three based in Dublin; three based in Galway) who will work with an assigned mentor. The emphasis of this capacity-building initiative will be the development of sustainable careers and creative opportunities. Following the open call, selection will be by shortlisting and interview. The successful candidates be announced in December 2016 and will begin the scheme in mid-January 2017.

ELEVATOR RESOURCES & SUPPORTS:

This resource-sharing initiative aims to build confidence and know-how among theatre professionals and enable peer-to-peer learning through an established framework of mentoring and supports. Participating producers will commit to a 12 month programme including: 

• Designated desk space at either Irish Theatre Institute or Town Hall Theatre and on-site access to information and administrative supports;
• Mentor-matching with senior Producers to shadow them on specific projects in a festival context and with an emphasis on touring;
• Regular meetings with Mentor Producers Jane Daly and Siobhán Bourke to focus on identifying funding, partners, delivering production targets and building producer management capacity;
• Bespoke Information Clinics and group sessions with industry experts over the course of the programme. Topics to include touring and budgeting; income generation; project development; contract negotiation; health & safety; copyright; creative planning and career sustainability;
• Assistance with the Arts Council funding applications eg. Arts Council, City Council Arts Grants, Local Authority Scheme, Culture Ireland.
• A stipend of € 1,000 for each participant for work-related activities and training opportunities associated with the 12 month residency
• Free attendance at ITI networking events e.g. Information Toolbox, International Theatre eXchange.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Each applicant must submit a brief written proposal (up to 500 words) detailing their aims and ambitions for the period from January – December 2017 accompanied by a CV outlining their recent professional producing activities. (Please indicate if you are involved in a project that is currently in receipt of funding or will be applying for funding in spring 2017).
• The proposal and CV should be sent by email to Eláine Donnelly, General Manager, edonnelly@irishtheatreinstitute.ie. 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.
• 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.
• Applications are welcome from producers working through Irish.

CRITERIA:

To qualify to participate in ELEVATOR Producer Supports & Mentoring applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a practicing independent Producer working in professional theatre with a maximum of no more than 5 years’ experience of producing for Irish theatre.
• Applicants must have previous experience of applying for funding and grant awards, whether successful or unsuccessful.
• Applicants must be based in either Dublin/Galway during the 12 month ELEVATOR programme.
• Applicants must have a pre-existing relationship with an artist/company with plans to produce in 2017/18.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

• Friday 21^st October, 5pm

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 Manager, with a view to shortlisting for interview those applicants who satisfactorily meet the criteria set.
• Interviews will be held at locations in Galway and Dublin during the week of 14^th November 2016. Interview location will be determined by the applicant’s main base.
• A maximum of six places will be offered – three in Dublin (Irish Theatre Insitute) and three in Galway (Town Hall Theatre).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• A set of terms and conditions will be in place for each Hub and will be agreed with the selected producers in relation to access hours to the building, use of facilities and technical equipment.
• All selected will be expected to respect the premises provided.

Funded by The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíon Theatre Resource Sharing scheme.