Dance Limerick invites applications for a Dance Artist/Curator to shape and deliver a new pilot programme, Dance Limerick Connects.
Established in 2013, Dance Limerick is a support and development organisation funded by the Arts Council and Limerick City & County Council. Our mission is to champion and enable dance creation, participation and appreciation and to be a creative hub connecting people and ideas through dance. Through a combination of performance platforms, residency opportunities, master classes, talks and lectures, Dance Limerick advocates for artistic dialogue and exchange. In collaboration with dance artists across a range of practices, we promote the creation of new and innovative work alongside a programme of classes and short performance projects for young people and adults.
Some of Dance Limerick’s ongoing activities include The Step Up Dance Project, the What Next Festival, the Light Moves Festival of Screendance and the Percolate Residency programme.
In 2021, Dance Limerick wishes to expand its civic role, relevance and reach within Limerick. In support of our new policy around Diversity & Inclusion we are seeking to develop new pathways for the public to connect with dance through participation, discussion and performance. We are now seeking to appoint an Dance Artist/Curator to co design and deliver the new pilot programme, Dance Limerick Connects.
The Role of the Dance Artist/Curator will be both developmental and delivery focused as follows:
• Research and nurture new partnerships that will extend participation in and participation and
engagement with creative dance among communities currently under served by Dance Limerick
• Cement partnerships with 2-3 key organisations who work with communities of place or interest
• Work with partners or communities directly to co-design or co-author a series of taster projects (2-3) using the tools of movement and participatory arts; and lead on delivery of these projects.
• Foster open communication and diverse participation through collaborative creative processes
• Develop reciprocal relationships where the voices and creativity of all participants are included
• Create work that explores social issues, context and challenges that are relevant to individuals/groups, either directly or indirectly and which promotes civic dialogue
• Feed into funding applications which can augment the scope of the programme
• Feed into evaluation processes and reports for funders
The resulting programme is intended to go beyond the usual goals of an outreach programme, often focused on bringing people into the venue. Rather, it seeks to extend Dance Limerick’s work beyond its own venue with the development of projects and artworks that are rooted in and of the communities where they are conceived. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape this new project and to foster and grow participation in and appreciation of dance as an art form.
The Dance Artist/Curator will be supported by Dance Limerick in the co-ordination of this pilot project: recruitment of participants, sourcing and overseeing any freelance facilitation, technical requirements, marketing and promotion. The Dance Artist/Curator will be responsible for the delivery of the programme and will be required to ensure that all policies and procedures including Child Safety and Health & Safety are adhered to. [Covid-19 pandemic policies – or public health advice etc.]
Person Specification / Essential Skills, Experience & Qualities:
• Experience in dance teaching and learning, ideally vocationally trained or equivalent.
• Experience of leading dance and participation projects.
• Experience of working inclusively with people of different ages and abilities through dance.
• An ability and genuine passion to work with communities in a variety of settings and with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Good partnership skills and the ability to build close working relationships with community groups and other organisations.
• Excellent English language written and verbal communication skills.
• Well organised with a flexible and proactive approach to work and the ability to deliver work within a timely and efficient manner.
• Willingness and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
We are particularly interested to hear from Dance Artists who have an established socially engaged practice.
Terms & Conditions
Timeline of role: As this is a pilot project, the role is offered for a period of 12 months: March 2021 – February 2022, on a contract for service basis and the Dance Artist/Curator will be responsible for his/her own tax reporting.
Fee: Dance Artist/Curator Fee is €17,000 (this equates to approximately 2.5 days weekly, though time can be blocked into discrete periods as appropriate for delivery of individual projects).
Additional personnel and production materials budget: €5,000.
Travel & Accommodation Budget: €3,000 (if artist is not Limerick-based). The Artist will ideally possess a full current category B Driving licence without any endorsements and have access to own vehicle.
Reports to Director at Dance Limerick.
Application Process
Please send one PDF document to include:
Current CV (max 3-4 pages) along with a cover letter (up to 2 pages) outlining your experience / track record, the
kind of work you like to create, and your approach to the Dance Artist/Curator role.
Closing Date: Applications should be received by 12 noon on Monday 1 February 2021, via email to the Director, Jenny Traynor at jenny@dancelimerick.ie.
Shortlisted artists will be invited to an online interview/discussion on Thursday 4 February.
Informal conversations/discussion about the role in advance of making application are very welcome.
