Call for artists

This call for artists is a way for local artists to engage with scientists and support dissemination of information about the ocean through art and science communication. This call is part of the Waves of Change project, funded by the Marine Institute. The project promotes sustainable development and circular economy values through ocean literacy.

The purpose

This art residency aimed at six emerging and/or established artists living in Ireland, to explore the Ocean Literacy Principles (OLP) with the team of researchers from the ATU. This residence will entail two main activities

-          One to two days at sea in a research vessel

-          A one-month art residence at the Watershed Studios in Galway, Ireland

And it will aim to:

Promote Ocean Literacy: The project seeks to educate and inform the public about the Ocean Literacy Principles (OLP), which are fundamental concepts for understanding the importance of the of the ocean, how it is interconnected with human life, and the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems.

Support Sustainable Development and Circular Economy: Through the dissemination of information about the ocean, the project encourages the adoption of sustainable development practices and circular economy values, emphasizing the need for responsible use and conservation of marine resources.

Provide a Unique Experience for Artists: The art residency offers local emerging and established artists a rare opportunity to gain firsthand experience and inspiration from the marine environment by spending time at sea on a research vessel.

Facilitate Artistic Exploration: The one-month art residency allows artists to delve into the themes of ocean literacy and sustainability, creating works that can captivate and educate the public, thereby bridging the gap between scientific research and community awareness.

Who are we looking for?

  • Movie makers

  • Photographers

  • Painters

  • Sculptors

  • Furniture designers

  • Fashion designers

  • Dancers

  • Writers

  • Storytellers

  • Poets

  • Theater performers

  • Musicians

  • Animators

  • Graphic designers

  • Game designers

Ocean Literacy Principles

The OLP were developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States of America, with the aim to “understand the influence of ocean on us and our influence on the ocean”.

There are 7 principles:

1.      The Earth has one big ocean with many features

2.      The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth

3.      The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate

4.      The ocean makes Earth habitable

5.      The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems

6.      The ocean and humans are inextricably linked

7.      The ocean is largely unexplored

Duration

The Waves of Change residence will take place over a period of one month, and it includes residential accommodation and a budget for materials. Living expenses (food) will also be covered.

Space

Besides the fully equipped residential accommodation on site, the resident artist will also gain access to two shared studio spaces and a garden. The space already includes basic tools, audio and visual equipment. This residency is not suitable for children.

Transportation

The artist is responsible for their own travel to and from the Residency, which is located in the heart of Galway city. If there are specific materials and artwork to be carried to the residence space, the artist is also responsible for their transport into the space.

Selection criteria

Quality of previous work based on artists’ portfolio (30%)

Relevance of proposal to the theme of this residence (35%)

Innovation within approaches to ideas, materials, and processes (35%)

Important dates

Application deadline 18th November 2024

Notifications by 31st January 2025

Residence will take place from 1st March to 31st March 2025

Applications can be made by sending one single PDF file addressed to wavesofchangegalway@gmail.com that must include:

  1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)  (Max. 2 pages)

  2. A portfolio with eight samples of recent work, either images or weblinks

  3. An artist statement explaining how this topic is relevant to you (Max. 2 pages). Please be sure to address innovative aspects of your work in relation to ideas, materials and processes

Proposals that explore intersections between

Art, Science and Communication will be prioritised

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Call for artists information

Application Deadline

November, 18, 2024

Notification acceptance

January, 31, 2025

Shiptime

12th February 2025

Residence

Watershed Studio Art’s Residency

March 1st - 31st 2025

Waves of Change

Collaboration portofolio

Galway Bay is Calling is a collaborative community project that Music for Galway (and Cellissimo 2024) is running in partnership with the Galway Atlantaquaria and Atlantic Technological University. It involves three community music groups, three marine specialists (Garry Kendellen, Dr. Maria Vittoria Marra, Dr. João Frias) and one cellist/composer (Naomi Berrill).

The project is about informing the participants about marine life, about Galway Bay, and to get them to reflect about how we influence the ocean and how it influences us. Over a series of workshops, the participants learned what they can do to mitigate stresses on our beloved bay and on the oceans of the world.

Following this activity, Headford born and Florence resident cellist, singer, composer Naomi Berrill visited ensembles in rehearsal. She talked to them, played with them and gathered their impressions and sounds inspired by the workshops. For this, the first event of Cellissimo, you will hear the ensembles perform on their own, to then come together to premiere this piece, a Cello Concerto for Mixed Bag Orchestra, that emerged from this work.

This is a project funded through the Creative Ireland Climate Action Fund, an initiative that is managed by Creative Ireland. This project is funded through the Spark Stream, by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication.

Leave no Trace

Listen to the beautiful music piece composed by Naomi Berrill by either clicking on the video on the right or on the button below