Sky Academy Arts Scholarship Irish shortlist revealed

Six young artists based in Ireland and working across a range of creative disciplines have been shortlisted for the €38,000 Sky Academy Arts Scholarships. The 2015 Scholarships will give five artists across the UK and Ireland, aged 18-30, the time and support to develop their creative practice and take their career to the next level. As part of the initiative this year, one scholarship will be awarded exclusively to an artist living in Ireland. Applications were assessed by industry professionals including Kris Nelson of Tiger Dublin Fringe, the Ambassador for the Irish scholarship, as well as individuals from Sky.

The Shortlist Comprises:

Jessica Patterson (Visual Arts) with The Boy and the Chimney

• “A seven-minute, short animation surrounding the relationship between a boy, his father and the iconic red and white chimneys of Dublin’s Poolbeg power station. Through a non-linear narrative, the story will address the inevitability of change.”

Kevin Gaffney (Visual Arts) with Tectonic Plates of Conversion

• “I propose to create and exhibit and a new body of work at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Ireland, exploring areas of forgotten industries which remain as spectres on the Irish landscape.”

Ruairi Donovan (Dance) with Soldiers

• “A site-specific, choreographic work for 100 male-identified performers, which examines masculinity and commemoration in the context of the 1916 Centenary.”

Aoife McAtamney (Dance) with LAZARUS LIVES!

• “A live, contemporary dance performance produced by Ellie Creighton, hosted by Tiger Dublin Fringe 2016. LAZARUS LIVES! is a sextet – and celebrates the future! For an audience, it’s a hopeful reminder – your future is what you make it.”

Liv O’Donoghue (Dance) with STATE

• “An ambitious work – part intricate, physical dance theatre, part performance art installation – exploring the psychology of creation and performance. The piece will engage audiences with a live, multi-sensory, immersive experience.”

Dan Colley (Performing Arts) with The Collapsing Horse Ensemble

• “An ensemble of dancers and actors will spend one day a week for 12 weeks creating and then performing a live sitcom. The rest of the week will be spent training and developing a contemporary dance-theatre production of The Nutcracker.”

A further four applicants were highly commended:

• ART IRL – Art Fair by Georgia Corcoran (Creative Producing)
• DRAFF by Rachel Donnelly (Creative Producing)
• Site and Sound by Tom Lane (Music)
• Home is a Restless Memory by Maeve Stone (Performing Arts)

Business to Arts were delighted to support the call for nominations process here in Ireland. You can get full details on the shortlist here.