Opportunity
Cork City Council, in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation, is seeking expressions of interest from artists of all disciplines with facilitation experience and knowledge of working with young people and/or vulnerable older adults for a new project: ‘Exploring Loss and Grief: Healing Through Art’.
Supported by Creative Ireland, this project aims to address isolation and foster connection through creative engagement with individuals experiencing grief and loss and facilitate intergenerational collaborations between active retired groups and fifth class students.
The selected artists will work closely with and have the support of a Project Coordinator, the Irish Hospice Foundation, Cork City Council, and other partners.
Timeline
- The project will begin with awareness raising and training for all selected artists in October.
- A project plan and schedule will be co-developed with the artists, team and participants between October and December 2024.
- It is anticipated the delivery phase of this project will commence in January, with most of the face-to-face work taking place in 2025.
- The project will culminate by June 2025.
Training
Artists will participate in specialist training on grief and loss, provided by the Irish Hospice Foundation, to enhance facilitation skills and sensitivity in working with participants navigating these experiences. The development phase will determine the approach, based on the skills and interests of the artist leads and our understanding of the participating groups.
Remuneration
A maximum of six artists will be selected for inclusion on a panel for this project. The selected artists will participate in up to 12 days of training and project development between October and December in 2024, subject to identification of suitable candidates and confirming schedules.
Cork City Council complies with the Arts Council Policy on paying the artist. A fee of €300 inclusive of taxes will be paid to each participating artist per day.
For those who are invited to facilitate workshops during the project’s delivery phase, payment will also be at a rate of €300 per day, inclusive of any applicable taxes. The facilitation phase will consist of up to 16 weeks in 2025, pending funding. All facilitation work will be formalised in a Contract for Services between Cork City Council and the artist, outlining agreed remuneration.
Child Safeguarding
In accordance with the national Child Protection Guidelines Section 11 of the Children’s First Act 2015, the selected candidate will be required to follow child protection procedures as specified in the Cork City Council Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Persons Statement (February 2023) and the Cork City Arts Office Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Statement (March 2024) and will be subject to Garda Vetting by Cork City Council.
How to apply
Interested artists should apply by emailing a CV and cover letter addressing the following questions to louise_tangney@corkcity.ie :
- Why are you interested in this project?
- What relevant skills and experience do you bring to the project?
- What challenges might the project face and how would you address them?
- What would you hope to achieve by the end of the project?
Please include three examples of previous work / projects and confirmation that you can provide referee details on request.
Deadline for receipt of artist applications: 12pm on Friday 27 September 2024.
Selection Criteria
Applications from artists will be assessed against the following criteria as demonstrated in submitted CV and cover letter:
- Motivation and suitability for the role
- Relevant experience in community-based arts facilitation
- Adaptability and collaboration skills
- Sensitivity and compassion in facilitating vulnerable participants
Artists may be shortlisted for interview.
Selected artists must be available for training and development days according to the project schedule and provide two forms of photographic ID along with proof of address (dated within the last six months) promptly to facilitate Garda vetting.
Terms and conditions
Cork City Council Arts Office reserves the right to not select applications if none are deemed to be suitable. In this instance, Cork City Council reserves the right to pursue a different procurement process. Cork City Council reserves the right to work with artists/facilitators on these programmes from outside the selected panel if required.
Facilitating artists must provide evidence of being tax compliant and have appropriate levels of insurances in place as per requirements of Cork City Council.
Freedom of Information:
Cork City Council undertakes to use its best endeavours to hold confidential any information provided by applicants subject to its obligations under law, including the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Applicants are requested to consider if any of the information they supply should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity. If this is the case, candidates should, when providing the information, identify same and specify the reasons for its sensitivity. If such information is not identified as sensitive and Cork City Council on consideration does not deem it sensitive, then such information is liable to be released in response to a Freedom of Information request without further consultation with the applicants. Cork City Council will consult with any candidates about sensitive information before deciding on any Freedom of Information Act request received.
