Breaking the Patterns (2023 - 2025)

The project aims to do this by allowing a total of 72 participants to autonomously self-organise eight multi-media exhibitions to display and promote their work, in the process building their expertise and knowledge of the professional world of galleries, art curation, and exhibitions.

By providing this opportunity, Breaking the Patterns aims to dismantle the two main types of patterns (or barriers) facing emerging artists in accessing the CCI: the inaccessibility of showcasing and sharing creative work on international platforms and the financial insecurity and instability in developing a creative career. These barriers are only heightened for individuals from marginalised or disadvantaged communities.

As such, the project will focus on uplifting these artists by providing opportunities to participate in international exhibitions (both physical and virtual through the development of a digital exhibition) and will support their career progression by developing a unique creative toolkit designed to access better economic opportunities.

By engaging with partners across four different European countries - Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain, the project will also act as medium to expand cultural interaction and integration by supporting the movement of creative work by our emerging artists and the intercultural dialogue they inspire. Doing so will increase social engagement of cultural works between artists and audiences, allowing for the generation of innovation and social cohesion within the creative and cultural sector.

72 participants from Ireland, Portugal, Greece and Spain will connect their work in 8 self-organized exhibitions in Dublin, Lisbon, Crete and Seville.

Breaking the Patterns project in Ireland

The programme commenced in early 2024 with residencies, exhibitions, mentoring and professional development opportunities for emerging visual artists. This is the second open call within the series of opportunities that will be advertised over the coming two years.

The programme is designed to target, support and engage with emerging Irish Visual Artists, who may not have the means to develop their artistic practice due to barriers such as financial, social or not having the supports to do so.

This programme will foster and cultivate creativity through international European art residencies, dedicated artistic mentorship and professional development. This programme will support and be open to visual artists based within the within Carlow, Waterford, and Wexford counties.

Successful applicants to the programme will take part in a three-month artists residency in Lisbon, Portugal from mid September 2024 until mid December 2024. Artwork which is completed during the programme will be exhibited in an exhibition towards the end of the residency.

Irish Lead Partner, Capacity Ireland

Capacity Ireland is a community-based training provider offering high-quality training and funded work experience abroad.

Further Information on Breaking the Patterns.