Aims of the project:
- To provide a platform for young and emerging artists connected to Inishowen, either through birth or subject matter in their artwork.
- To increase the profile of contemporary visual arts in the area, through the commissioning of new and original artwork.
- To increase visitor awareness and interest.
- To establish high professional standards in visual arts exhibitions, and use this as a lobbying factor for purpose built exhibition space in Inishowen.
Description:
A pilot project of an emerging artist/graduate one person exhibition to be held in the Artlink top studio, to include advertising through an opening of the exhibition and an invitation card. The exhibition would be promoted through the national press and other art organisations, via direct mailing, the Artlink website and a press release. The work would be commissioned specifically for the show, and would be new work not previously shown. Research would take place in art colleges and centres, based on recommendations from lecturers and tutors, and final degree shows.
An access programme for schools and young people would be structured around the exhibition, encouraging interests from students considering a career in Art and Design. Attendance at the exhibitions would be free and encouraged locally and nationally.
For continuing development of the project, analysis and evaluation are key areas. The project would be evaluated qualitatively, in terms of attendance at the and evaluation of and publicity strategy; Qualitatively the output in terms of artistic merit and subsequent reports from third level institutes and in the form of press and journal reviews. Analysis of this material will allow for a report to be compiled on the of the project and the potential impact in terms of the stated aims.
We aim to have two pilot exhibitions this year, in November and December 2004 and apply to the Arts Council of Ireland in 2005 if the initial project is successful.