“Carlow Through a Lens”
Proposal Overview
The County Carlow Photographer in Residence is a twelve-month residency funded by Creative Ireland, supported by Carlow County Council Arts Office, in collaboration with Carlow County Council Library Services. The residency is designed to document, celebrate and engage with the people, places and communities of County Carlow through photography.
The residency will provide a photographer with the opportunity to develop a body of work that captures everyday life across the county over the course of a year. Through changing seasons, community events, local traditions, urban and rural landscapes, and the lives of people who call Carlow home, the residency will create a unique visual archive of County Carlow at a particular moment in time.
Community engagement is an important aspect of this residency as communities are essential to making our villages and towns inviting places to live, learn and work in. This residency should capture those groups and individuals who work to sustain and improve County Carlow. Alongside the creation of new photographic work, the residency will place a strong emphasis on the ‘Human’ stories, capturing Carlow in an informatively, honest and interesting way. The photographer can complete this through their own proposed suggestion or through initiating public engagement and interviews.
The selected photographer will work collaboratively with a variety of different groups and organisations across the county of Carlow for example communities, organisations, schools, libraries and community groups, sharing skills and sharing stories while encouraging participation in photography through workshops, photo walks, talks and creative engagement opportunities.
Aims
The Photographer in Residence Programme aims to:
- Celebrate the county's diverse communities, cultures and stories.
- Support the professional development of an emerging or established photographer.
- Increase public participation in the arts through accessible photography-based activities.
- Encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to explore photography as a creative medium.
- Build a lasting photographic archive reflecting life in County Carlow during the residency period.
- Capture the beautiful and unique landscapes across Carlow which promote our heritage, natural habitat, biodiversity and historical landmarks.
Residency Theme
"Carlow through a Lens"
The residency will focus on the everyday moments that define life in the county, highlighting:
- Community life and social interactions
- Local traditions and celebrations
- Rural and urban life
- Cultural diversity
- Work and leisure
- All ages of the population
- The natural environment across the seasons
- Local events and festivals
- Hidden stories and overlooked places
The photographer will be encouraged to develop their own artistic interpretation while remaining grounded in community engagement and participation.
Community Engagement
A key element of the residency will be direct engagement with the people of County Carlow.
Working in partnership with local organisations and community groups, the photographer will deliver a programme of participatory activities throughout the year, this can include photography walks, public photography sessions. It is envisioned that the photographer will use the Carlow County Council Libraries as a base throughout the 12months while promoting Community engagement across all areas of County Carlow.
Artist Development
The residency will provide the selected photographer with:
- Time and resources to develop a significant body of work. The selected photographer will have a space available to them in one of the County libraries, subject to the agreed delivery timeframe.
- Opportunities to work with diverse communities and participants.
- Experience in participatory arts practice and public engagement.
- Professional development in project management, facilitation and exhibition development.
- Opportunities to build networks across County Carlow and the wider arts sector.
Conclusion
The County Carlow Photographer in Residence Programme presents an exciting opportunity to document the county through the eyes of a creative photographer while placing community engagement and ‘Human stories’ at the heart of the creative process. It is envisioned through photography, the residency will celebrate local stories and leave a lasting visual legacy of the people, places and events that shape County Carlow today.
Important Information:
The project can only take place in the County of Carlow
It must be free for participants
It must be accessible and inclusive
The maximum amount of funding being allocated is €8,000 for the 12 months residency (this is to include all materials, travel, artistic fee, overheads). It does not include exhibiting the work for a final showpiece-this will be discussed with the successful applicant)
Only one photographer will be selected
CLOSING DATE IS 1PM ON SEPTEMBER 11TH
Any queries can be emailed to croberts@carlowcoco.ie or artsservice@carlowcoco.ie