2024 Artist Mentoring Award Recipients Announced

Create is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Artist Mentoring Award.

This new award sits within a suite of offerings under the Artist in the Community (AIC) Scheme. Now in its third year, it aims to offer capacity building and arts practice development for collaborative socially engaged artists, and artists who are transitioning into this field.

For the five selected artists, the award offers an eight-month period of capacity building and arts practice development through dialogue with an experienced collaborative socially engaged artist mentor.

Visual artists and co-founder of Nocht Studio Philip Ryan will be guided by mentor John Conway to help deepen his understanding of collaborative processes, enhance his ability to engage diverse communities, and develop more impactful and sustainable art projects.

Visual artist Rion Duffy Murphy will be mentored by Michelle Browne as they expand upon and further develop their approach to collaboration in a way that’s mindful, intentional, and meaningful for the community involved.

Artist Sophie Tamburrini will work with mentor Aisling Byrne to explore challenges that arise during a key period of transition and growth within her practice and engage in critical conversations around work with her collaborators as it unfolds.

Conceptual artist and organiser Jim Ricks will be mentored by Cathy Coughlan to effectively collaborate with and empower all members of the community and confidently communicate the value of art to diverse audiences.

Multidisciplinary artist Keely Maclavin will be supported by mentorship by Dr Sinead McCann, in engaging with diverse communities in an equitable manner and understanding how to navigate various community dynamics and perspectives sensitively.

All mentors and mentees will explore central elements of collaborative socially engaged practice, including collaborative methodologies, outreach, sustaining relationships with communities, evaluation, and more. Create’s Mentoring Award is funded through the Artist in the Community Scheme (AIC), managed by Create on a devolved basis for the Arts Council.

The panel which determined this award was chaired by Aine Crowley, and consisted of Jennifer Fitzgibbon, Research and Learning Manager, Create, as well as AlanJames Burns, Socially Engaged Artist and Jenny MacDonald, Solo Sirens Director. Tatiana Dos Santos, AIC Scheme Development, observed and took minutes