MA Wexford Trip 2009

Last week some of the current MA class had a wonderful outing to visit the spectacular new Wexford Opera House, before heading on to Kilkenny and the Butler Gallery, Crafts Council/National Crafts Gallery (where it was lovely to run into another course alum!) and on to the newish premises of the Heritage Council.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Many thanks to everyone who hosted us– the Butler Gallery’s expansion plans in particular sound very exciting, and the chance for a sneak peek at the renovation of the HC’s new headquarters was an unexpected delight!

IMOCA: This Must Be The Place

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Popped along to the opening of IMOCA‘s new exhibition ‘This Must Be The Place‘ :

Vodpod videos no longer available.

It’s great to see artists getting together and creating new spaces for exhibition and activity, even if some of the work in this particular show felt a bit slight to me (perhaps a consequence of the ‘contemporary budget’ as was described?)  Clearly there’s some ambitious aspirations with the space (although the name itself I think is a bit misleading), and I look forward to seeing what they get up to next…

Guerrillas in our midst

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You couldn’t really make it up– in case you missed it, the story on the rogue Brian Cowen nude paintings by Conor Casby that were hung on the walls of the NGI and RHA, guerrilla style:

Of course the silliest aspect is the fact that RTE withdrew the news segment and apologised for it, a decision that’s been condemned by the opposition, ticked off Today FM (gasp!), and already dubbed ‘Portraitgate’ (Or ‘Picturegate’, as Damien Mulley had it: cue groan). However  Vincent Browne begs to disagree…

No doubt this brouhaha will continue longer than it should– but I’m amused by the idea that we now have an Irish entry into the illustrious history of guerrilla art protests. How fortuitous then that one of the best known international guerrilla art groups is making a series of rare Irish appearances at the Milennium Court Arts Centre,  University of Ulster, Glucksman Gallery, Butler Gallery and NCAD — bring on the Guerrilla Girls, to show how it’s done!

guerrilla

Opportunity: Milwaukee Irish Fest / Arts Council/ Association of Irish Festival and Events (AOIFE)

More opportunities for those looking for arts management experience:

An excellent opportunity for either recent graduates or anyone over 21 with an interest in arts managerment initiated between the Milwaukee Irish Fest, the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Association of Irish Festival and Events (AOIFE).:

Building on the positive and ongoing relationships between Milwaukee and Ireland, Milwaukee Irish Fest will introduce a program in 2009 to provide young Irish citizens an opportunity to experience the planning and presentation of Milwaukee Irish Fest. Working with the Departments, Councils and Festival organizations in Ireland, four young people or graduates, over 21, will be selected to travel to Milwaukee to work alongside festival organizers finalizing plans, programming and setup for the event. 2 people will be selected in Northern Ireland and 2 from the Republic of Ireland . Flights, accommodation and meals will be secured for the successful applicants.

The deadline for letters of interest is next Tuesday 31st March 2009 and more info can be found here: http://www.aoifeonline.com/news.php?id=11

ACNI/British Council Young Curators Programme: Call

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Fresh from the VAI newsletter— sounds like a terrific opportunity:

The British Council in partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is inviting applications to the International Young Curators Programme, a unique opportunity for individuals with an interest in developing a career in the visual arts that centres on the 2009 Venice Biennale.

Selected applicants will receive at least four weeks in Venice during the Biennale (1 June to 30 November 2009) as part of a team that will invigilate and maintain Northern Ireland’s exhibition, which this year will be a solo exhibition of new work by Susan Mac William.

Participants in the programme will also have access to the other exhibitions at the Biennale, be provided with return flights and an apartment in the centre of Venice and a stipend.

On return from Venice participants will undertake a two-week placement shadowing a gallery director/curator in Northern Ireland, and take part in a number of study visits to key cultural institutions in Northern Ireland, London and Dublin in spring 2010.

Successful candidates will have a commitment to and vision for pursuing a career in the visual arts, demonstrate motivation, reliability and responsibility, and have good communication skills. More information on the programme, availability and application requirements are available online.

To apply, send your application marked ‘INTERNATIONAL YOUNG CURATORS PROGRAMME APPLICATION’ to:

Colette Norwood, British Council, Norwich Union House, 7 Fountain Street, Belfast
BT1 5EG

www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/2009/new19032009b.html

Deadline for applications: 5pm, 6 April 2009
Interviews: 9 April 2009