Visual Artists Ireland today announced the expansion of support services for professional visual artists in Northern Ireland.  First established in 1980, Visual Artists Ireland is the representative and support body for professional visual artists in Ireland.  Building upon the support shown by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, VAI has consistently looked at the needs of artists and delivers services to support art makers in their careers in a timely and efficient manner.

Under the title “for Visual Artists in Northern Ireland” the new services include a dedicated new website http://www.visualartists-ni.org which provides information on visual arts events and opportunities in Northern Ireland, other parts of the UK, and internationally.  The site also contains knowledge and support on a variety of legal, financial and career matters that have been developed in partnership with Artquest (London).  It is accompanied by a new Twitter service #4VisArtsNI so that the public can keep up to date on the visual arts.

Also announced today are a series of new initiatives such as affordable insurance for artists, an international studio exchange programme, as well as equipment hire facilities and a professional development programme platform. VAI is pleased to be working with Belfast Exposed and the Digital Artists Studios, Belfast on the project.  Further partner organisations and existing services are contained on the website.

To mark the occasion, Visual Artists Ireland in partnership with the Digital Artists Studios are happy to announce a New Media Residency for Northern Ireland Artists.  Further details of this will be released later in the year in the form of a call for applications.

Just gearing up a review of the Visual Artists Ireland Professional Development Training programme in Northern Ireland.  The fabulous Liz Lennon, lizbiz.wordpress.com/about, will shortly be in touch with artist participants, facilitators and partners seeking their input as we review and plan for future provision of training and professional development in Northern Ireland.

Gathering the data has been quite exciting when I realise that over 300 individual artists have taken part in the programme over the last three years, with many attending several workshops in any one year.   A big clap on the back to all our Northern Ireland partners, facilitators and VAI staff who’ve contributed.  Looking forward to feedback from the surveys when they’re complete.

For register for upcoming training sessions see: http://visualartists.ie/education/register-for-our-events/

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Newtownards, Belfast and Enniskillen

Mobility and Exchange in the Visual and Applied Arts (free event)
Wednesday 11 May, A Common Room discussion event @ Ards Arts Centre
in partnership with Ards Art Centre and Ards Borough Council

With speakers: Deirdre Robb, Arts Development Officer Visual Arts, Arts Council N.Ireland; Maria McKinney, Visual Artist; Adam Knights, Projects Manager, Visiting Arts U.K.; Christoph Jankowski – European Information Manager, European Cultural Contact Point U.K, Peter Mutschler – Director PSquared Belfast.  Chaired by Laura Graham – Visual Artist and Visual Artists Ireland Contact Point East Ulster.

Imagination Box with Jim Russell
Friday 13 May (10.30 – 16.30) @ PlayResource
In partnership with Belfast Exposed and PlayResource

Also

Sustaining your Practice with Rosie Burrows
In partnership with Belfast Exposed. New date tbc

Peer Critique New Media with Saoirse Higgins
In partnership with the Digital Arts Studios.  New date tbc

To book Northern Ireland workshops click on our registration page: http://visualartists.ie/education/register-for-our-events/

or alternatively contact:

Monica Flynn / Education Officer,
Visual Artists Ireland
T: +353 (0)1 872 2296
E: monica@visualartists.ie

Places still available for anyone who hasn’t registered as yet, just come along on the day.

(10.00 – 13.30) Fri 15 Apr

@ The Community Arts Forum, http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UT

A VAI event in partnership with Belfast Exposed and CAF.

Brokering and building relationships in collaborative arts practice.   With artists Anthony Luvera, Aisling O’Beirn and Sally Young who will discuss their varied approaches to building relationships with groups and communities in their arts practices.

Participants are invited to bring along some food to share with others during the lunch time period after the talks.

Visual Artists Ireland Professional Development Training

This workshop is part of a series of Visual Artists Ireland workshops in partnership with Belfast Exposed titled Invest in Yourself!

Thurs 14 April, 2011 @ Belfast Exposed, Donegall St, Belfast

An excellent hands-on session that will teach you how to grow your profile, build your network and promote your work online.

Workshop fee: £15 for non-members  / £10 for VAI, BX, DAS & Play Resource members.

To register and for further information go to the Register for our Events page:

T: +353 (0)1 872 2296   E: monica@visualartists.ie