Six in the Attic (SITA) and Six in the Virtual Attic is Irish Theatre Institute (ITI)’s key artist development programme. This year long programme provides playwrights and theatre makers with the space and resources to create and develop work.

Six in the Attic was established in 2011, focusing on supporting a community of playwrights and theatre makers to engage, explore, develop, debate, and collaborate on their projects. Since the foundation of the programme, Six in the Attic alumni have gone on to great individual successes – creating new work, winning awards, founding theatre companies, amongst many more accolades.

2023 / 2024 marks the introduction of six important new strategic partners: Galway City Arts Office, Galway County Arts Office, Leitrim Arts Office, Roscommon Arts Centre, Tipperary Arts Office and Wexford Arts Office. These sectoral collaborators are supporting ITI to identify artists across the country to ensure they avail and participate in the Six in the Attic or Virtual Attic programme.  Six places are held for artists from these six counties.

WHO CAN APPLY:

We are interested in getting applications from artists who:

• Have ambitious creative plans for the period December 2023 to November 2024
• Are seeking mentoring and support alongside provision of space, time, and practical resources to create over a 12-month period.
• Are resident on the island of Ireland.
• Have an established practice and track record of 1 full-length production produced/programmed by an established production company, festival, or independent producer.

If you are interested in the programme, but you are not sure if you are eligible to apply, please don’t assume you’re not. Get in touch with us to check by emailing Leigh Hussey, Programme Manager, lhussey@irishtheatreinstitute.ie

WHAT DO ARTISTS RECEIVE:

Selected artists engage in a thoughtfully created programme of:

• Artist gatherings online and in person meet ups arranged for the group building a community of peers.
• Professional development workshops focused on areas that upskill freelance artists.
• Introductions and networking with other independent artists and arts organisations nationally and internationally.
• One-to-one mentoring from Director Niamh O’Donnell and Programme Manager Leigh Hussey.
• Access to a shared workspace, rehearsal/meeting room spaces for development and collaboration sessions in ITI’s offices located on 17 Eustace Street, Temple Bar Dublin 2.
• Access to short term dedicated desk in selected national venues or cultural spaces for non-Dublin based artists.
• An artist practice bursary of €1,300

ITI is now calling for applications from playwrights and theatre makers seeking to realise their artistic ambition, enhance their professional skills and build peer supports.

MAKING YOUR APPLICATION

1. Complete the application form. You will be asked to upload a CV (max two pages as part of the application.

Six in the Attic Application Form (For Dublin based artists)

Six in the Virtual Attic Application Form (For Non-Dublin based artists)

Should you wish, we would also be happy to accept video applications of no longer than 5 minutes stating the relevant information outlined above.

Please use wetransfer.com and email us a link to your video application. Here is how to do so.

TIMELINE

12^th October                     Applications open

9^th November                  Deadline for applications, 5pm

13^th November                Panel of Artists – reading panel meet for deliberation and nominations

22^nd November               Successful and unsuccessful applicants notified

29^th November                Six in the Attic 2023/24 participants announced

6^th December                   Six in the Attic and Six in the Virtual Attic online meeting

15^th December                 Six in the Attic and Six in the Virtual Attic – Afternoon in Dublin gathering

CALL OUT & SELECTION PROCESS:

Six in the Attic call out will be issued on all social media platforms, by Galway City Arts Office, Galway County Arts Office, Irish Theatre Institute, Leitrim Arts Office, Roscommon Arts Centre, Tipperary Arts Office and Wexford Arts Office.  Each partner organisations will also disseminate through mailing lists and any other suitable targeted methods.

Applications will be reviewed by the partners for eligibility and initial review.  Partners are looking for people with initiative, intuition, dedication, determination, imagination, communication, and ambition. Both programmes (SITA and Virtual Attic) will support artists who work in and are making a career across the island of Ireland.

The selection of artists is done by peer panel.  All applications are read by the panel.  The Panel is selected from a diverse range of artists.  The applications will be read over two to three days, and then the panel meet to discuss and deliberate to make the final selection.

Further questions or assistance:

Access support is available for all applications, including alternative formats and tailored assistance. If you’d prefer to meet one of our team to talk through these guidelines or would like to submit your application in another format (like video), please contact us on lhussey@irishtheatreinstitute.ie. ITI will cover access costs for any artist where necessary and possible. 

If you are selected for the programme, we will complete an access requirement audit as part of the induction process to identify and make a plan to meet your needs.

If you have any queries or there are barriers you feel limit your access to the programme or application process, please get in touch directly so we can best support you within the means available to us.

ITI and our strategic partners are determined to ensure the artists supported through these programmes represent contemporary Ireland.  If anyone has any questions, worries, or concerns or before anyone potentially rules themselves out of applying, please contact us.

Please contact Leigh Hussey at lhussey@irishtheatreinstitute.ie.

If you prefer not to email, please call on 01-6704906.

The Six in the Attic programme is funded by the Arts Council /An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Offices of Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Leitrim County Council, Roscommon County Council, Tipperary County Council and Wexford County Council.