Collaborative Arts Training Programme 2026

Create is delighted to announce the Collaborative Arts Training Programme (CATP) 2026, following a highly successful and over-subscribed pilot in 2025.  This is a practical suite of essential training and professional knowledge for emerging artists, recent graduates and third-level students as well as artists and cultural practitioners who are interested in learning more about the basics of collaborative art practice.

Delivered by staff members of Create with guest artists, the Collaborative Arts Training Programme is a learning arc with practical tips and essential information about collaborative arts, and can be booked as drop-in webinar sessions as well as continuous training programme.

Informed by a four-session pilot phase last year, we are launching the full suite of six sessions in 2026.  The Training Programme will be delivered online via Zoom. Each session will take place between 10:30am and 2:30pm, including comfort breaks and a lunch break.  The sessions will include presentations, discussions, workshop exercises, sharing and reflections.

**Update April 2026: We have received more applications to attend the Collaborative Arts Training Programme 2026 than we have spaces for. We recognise that this abundance of applications speaks to the need within the sector for such a training programme. We will be operating a waiting list, from which suitable applicants will be chosen, as and when spaces open up at the training sessions. We are accepting expressions of interest to join the waiting list, at the link to the right of this page. 

Who is this training programme for?

This training is for emerging artists, recent graduates/ third-level students as well as artists and cultural practitioners who are interested in transitioning into collaborative practice.

When will the sessions take place?

The sessions will form two seasons, held in Spring and Autumn. Those wishing to attend can choose to attend one or all sessions, according to their needs and schedule.

Spring (May – June 2026)

• Spring 1: Demystifying Collaborative Art (Wednesday 6 May) with guest artist Aisling Byrne, hosted by Jennifer Fitzgibbon from Create
• Spring 2: Defining Research Methods (Wednesday 20 May) with guest artist Deirdre O’Mahony, hosted by Jennifer Fitzgibbon from Create
• Spring 3: Effectively Communicating your Practice (Wednesday 3 June) with guest artist Alan James Burns, hosted by Keelin Murray from Create

Autumn (September – October 2026)

• Autumn 1: People, Ethics, Communities (Wednesday 9 September) with guest artist Aoife Barrett, hosted by Carolann Courtney from Create
• Autumn 2: Building Sustainable Work Patterns (Wednesday 23 September) with guest artist Laura Sarah Dowdall, hosted by Tatiana dos Santos from Create
• Autumn 3: Documenting your Work (Wednesday 7 October) with guest artist Kate O’ Shea, hosted by Jennifer Fitzgibbon from Create

What will this course cost?

We are offering these sessions for €25 per session, with a discount for those who book all three sessions in each term (€65), and an additional discount for all six sessions (€120).  Fees will be collected after we confirm your place.

Bursaries

Create are delighted to offer a limited number of bursaries for artists, arts workers, creative/ cultural practitioners and community members to support their attendance at this Training Programme.  Recipients of this bursary must engage with and commit to the sessions, and can choose to attend one or more sessions.  Those wishing to apply for a bursary should complete the application form, then email producer[at]create-ireland.ie, no later than Monday 13 April, 4pm, outlining how the bursary will support their attendance.

What do I need in order to attend?

• A laptop or desktop with camera, speakers and microphone
• Stable internet connection

In order to facilitate full participation by all attendees, we encourage everyone to keep their camera on throughout each session.  The sessions will not be recorded, to allow each attendee to feel comfortable sharing their own experiences and challenges.

Safer Spaces

We believe that it is our responsibility to create spaces that are welcoming and respectful to everyone.  The training programme will take place within the principles of Create’s Safer Spaces Agreement.