This opportunity recognises that many such musicians face barriers toward career progression that others may not. The main purpose of the residency is to provide time and space for a Musician-in-Residence to develop their career intensively, while also supporting Listowel’s journey to become an Autism Friendly Town.
Through this opportunity Music Network and St. John’s Theatre are seeking to make space for social change in the music sector in general and hope to learn from the Musician-in-Residence how they can better facilitate and include autistic people/people with autism in their own programmes and in the wider sector, both in performance and educational environments.
The Musician-in-Residence will be appointed for a 4 month period from July to October 2024. The successful applicant will receive a bursary of €8,000, dedicated space and time to develop their creative practice and create new work and/or artistic collaborations. The musician will also engage with the community, working alongside an experienced facilitator to deliver a programme of inclusive music activities, and showcase their work live in concert at the end of the residency in October.
The musician and the teams at Music Network and St. John’s Theatre will work closely with Listowel Autism Friendly Town committee with an aim to make St. John’s Theatre a welcoming and accessible space for all those with neurodivergence who visit and use it.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said: “We are delighted to partner with St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre to offer this residency, which we see as a valuable opportunity not only to support an autistic musician but also to learn from them as they spend time at the venue as Musician-in-Residence. We also hope that musicians and other creative individuals in the area who identify as autistic will connect with the residency, and explore the potential to participate in musical or creative activities at St. John’s too.”
Artistic Director of St. John's Theatre Máire Logue said " St. John's Theatre is committed to supporting our community on its journey towards becoming an Autism Friendly Town. Through this residency we plan to make St. John’s Theatre a hub for conversations around the supports and changes required to make venues more accessible and welcoming for those on the autism spectrum and will endeavour to implement change and invest in supports that make our space more inclusive.”
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 14 May 2024 at 12pm. Applications can be made by email or via an online application form, find out more at the link below.
Music Network is funded by the Arts Council. St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre is funded by the Arts Council and Kerry County Council Arts Office.
The Music Network and St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre Musician-in-Residence Programme is supported by the Tomar Trust, with thanks to AsIAm and Cork Opera House for their invaluable advice and support in relation to the planning of this residency.
