Open Call: AIR on the Edge

Artists in County Galway invited to apply for one-month international artistic residency on the edges of Europe 

Artists living or working in County Galway are invited to apply for AIR on the Edge, a one-month international artist residency to engage with local communities that will take place between September 2023 and June 2024. Artist studio space, self-catering accommodation, artists fees and travel expenses will be provided for successful artists. The deadline to apply is Friday, 25 August 2023 at 5pm CET. AIR on the Edge is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland’s International Residency Initiatives Scheme and supported by Galway County Council Arts Office. The project is being led by Áras Éanna and Galway County Council Arts Office.

AIR on the Edge is an international artist residency exchange between Denmark, Finland, Ireland, The Netherlands and Serbia and is rooted in rural places and cities on the edges of Europe. It focuses on artists’ professional development, creating opportunities to engage with rural communities and connect with host organisations, communities, nature, heritage and cultural landscapes of a variety of rural places and cities.

AIR on the Edge provides accommodation and workspace for professional artists with experience of working with communities. Successful artists will work in environments that support and value artistic ambition, exchange, and self-directed work. Ten artists, two from each country, will be awarded a residency, and two artists will be hosted in each country. Artists must apply for a residency that is not in their country of residence. Residency dates offered will be subject to availability.

Host organisations for the residencies are Áras Éanna (Ireland), Arcadia (The Netherlands), Network of Cultural Stations (Novi Sad, Serbia), Brogården Kulturvæksthus (Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality – Denmark) and Tampere Art Museum (Finland). Applicants will select three of their preferred host organisations when applying.

Applicants should think about the focus of the host organisations and include engagement with their communities. Engagement can include conversations, events, workshops, sharing knowledge, small projects, presentations and more. Host organisations will support successful artists to connect with people, groups and organisations locally.

Creative professionals living or working in County Galway (Ireland), Fryslan (The Netherlands), Novi Sad (Serbia), Pirkanmaa (Finland) or Ringkøbing-Skjern and mid Jutland area (Denmark) are eligible to apply to AIR on the Edge.

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply, artists must demonstrate:

  • Their artistic practice and track record
  • They have experience working with communities in their artistic practice
  • They live or work in County Galway (Ireland), Fryslan (The Netherlands), Novi Sad (Serbia), Pirkanmaa (Finland) or Ringkøbing-Skjern and mid Jutland area (Denmark)
  • They have a basic level of English

Criteria: Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Artistic track record
  • Experience working with communities
  • Quality of the proposal
  • Fit of practice and proposal with preferred host organisation

To apply, artists must submit:

  • A completed application form
  • Up-to-date artistic CV (Max 3 pages)
  • Examples of work (Max 10 images or 5 links)

Applications will be assessed by a decision panel including the host organisations. Shortlisted artists may be invited for an interview.

For full AIR on the Edge open call details and to apply, visit https://www.aircultureup.com/.

Questions about AIR on the Edge or about the application can be emailed to info@airontheedge.com.