Spark

Call for ARTISTS

About Small Sparks

Spark was developed by Leitrim County Council’s Arts Office and Local Enterprise Office for companies that are interested in collaborating with artists and promoting creativity within their organisation, and artists that are interested in exploring how their thinking, knowledge and practice can have relevance and impact in different environments.

As part of Small Sparks three Leitrim businesses are provided the opportunity to each work with an artist to explore common interests and how creative activity can benefit both the company and the artist. There are no preconditions on what the artist (who may be from any arts discipline) might do, and it is not obligatory to have produced anything by the end of the project (although a materials budget is available if required). The residency lasts for approximately 10 days over three weeks, which can be taken in one block or spread over a longer period as agreed between the artist and company.

Quite naturally, what an artist does will be influenced by the adopted environment, thus providing a greater interest and involvement in what the artist produces from staff and clients/customers, pointing to different, creative and innovative paths and serving as a catalyst for new thinking.

If artist/company partnerships who take part in the Small Sparks wish to continue to work together, following Small Sparks, they can apply to undertake a more long-term 6-month artist-in-residence programme thereafter.

Participating Companies

Soul Space is a welcoming family studio in Carrick-on-Shannon, celebrating 10 years of offering yoga, pilates, aerial yoga, and meditation. Located in the scenic riverside town of Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, our bright, spacious studio is a haven for wellness and personal growth.

We offer a diverse range of classes and workshops, as well as 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (Registered Yoga Alliance School). Our classes cater to all ages, abilities, and fitness levels, with special offerings for private sessions, corporate groups, families, and events. Soul Space is also home to relaxing and fun aerial yoga, where students stretch and play off the floor in hammocks, and our meditation space provides a peaceful environment for mindfulness practice.

Since 2022, we’ve expanded our offerings to include international retreats, giving participants the opportunity to deepen their yoga practice in beautiful locations.

The journey to Soul Space began in 1991 when I discovered yoga to heal from a car accident injury. Over the years, yoga has been a constant in my life, supporting me through challenges and guiding me to meditation practice. I have trained with both Eastern and Western teachers and have over 620 hours of certified training, including Yin Yoga, Hatha Flow, and Aerial Yoga.

At Soul Space, we aim to bring mindfulness, healthy movement, and relaxation to all who enter, creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome to explore and grow through yoga and meditation.

https://mysoulspace.ie/

The Landmark Hotel is a family-owned 4-star hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, offering a unique combination of style, character, and exceptional service. Nestled along the scenic River Shannon, this hotel has become an integral part of the local community, known for its warm hospitality and longstanding family tradition in the hotel industry. Owned and managed by local brothers Ciaran and John Kelly, the Landmark Hotel upholds a legacy of excellence, deeply connected to the rich culture and beauty of County Leitrim.

As an award-winning wedding venue in the North West, the Landmark Hotel is celebrated for its superb food and attentive service. It is a sought-after location for weddings, conferences, live music events, and leisure breaks. Located in the heart of Carrick-on-Shannon, the hotel serves as an ideal base to explore the town’s vibrant atmosphere and the surrounding natural beauty of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Visitors can enjoy tranquil lakes, rivers, walkways, and blueways, perfect for outdoor activities and relaxation.

Additionally, the Landmark Hotel is a well-established entertainment venue, regularly hosting top Irish and international live music performances. It has also earned recognition as a culinary destination, proudly participating in the Taste Leitrim culinary trail. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, cultural exploration, or a culinary adventure, the Landmark Hotel promises a welcoming and memorable experience for all who visit.

https://www.thelandmarkhotel.com/

The Central is a dynamic new venture founded by sisters Hedda and Phoebe Dick in the heart of Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim. Located in the long-vacant former Central Hotel, this revitalised space is being transformed into a vibrant, multi-use venue that blends sustainability, creativity, and community connection.

With a focus on accessibility and environmental responsibility, The Central comprises three unique spaces: a Bar/Café opening directly onto Main Street (approx. 50-person capacity), a Function Room (approx. 150-person capacity), and a Creative Workshop. The Bar/Café will operate as an evening café and soda bar, hosting a lively calendar of events and activities. The Function Room will accommodate in-house gigs, workshops, and private community rentals such as parties, classes and performances. The Creative Workshop will house a professional multi-screen screen-printing set-up, donated to the business, supporting workshops and the production of merchandise and custom goods.

The Central builds on Hedda and Phoebe’s shared experience and deep roots in both the Manorhamilton community and the broader creative and sustainability sectors in Ireland. Their previous joint projects—Open Mic Manor and McKenna’s Mainstreet—highlight their commitment to inclusive, culturally rich programming.

As a female-led family business, The Central aims to provide part-time employment for Hedda and Phoebe while building a team of passionate, creative individuals. Their vision is to create a welcoming, ever-evolving space where creativity and community thrive together, setting a new standard for sustainable rural enterprise.

How to apply

The process for application is set out here below. Applicants can be from any arts discipline. While some companies may appear suited to one or other artform, neither the arts office nor any of the companies have any preconceived ideas on what a project might look like or what approach any artist might propose, and as such are entirely open to all artists, disciplines and ideas.

a) Declaration of Interest

Interested artists should first register their interest in the programme online at the link below. Artists who have declared an interest are invited to a site visit of the three companies and meet with the arts office, and management and staff at the three companies, leading to a better understanding of the programme and the company involved. While attendance at the site visit is not essential to make an application, it is strongly advised that applicants do so. To declare your interest in SPARK, please register online at this link before midnight on Sunday 8th June 2025.

https://forms.leitrimcoco.ie/form-80319/spark-artist-interest-2025

b) Site Visit

Site visits will take place on Monday 16th June 2025 according to the following timetable

• Soul Space – 11.30am
• The Landmark Hotel – 12.10pm
• Bus departs Carrick on Shannon – 1.20pm
• The Central – 2.10pm
• Bus departs Manorhamilton – 2.50pm
• Bus arrives Carrick on Shannon – 3.40pm

Public transport available from Sligo and Dublin on the day is as follows:

c) Proposal

Following the site visit, artists are invited to propose ideas and approaches for a three-week residency at any of the companies. This document is not a definitive proposal that you would be expected to carry out. Rather, by identifying potential approaches, methodologies or even outcomes, the document provides a vivid insight into your thinking, your understanding of the company, and your capacity to develop an innovative project appropriate to that context. Given that this proposal is only based on a short site visit, while it may serve as a useful starting point, the anticipation is that the residency would differ substantially, if not completely, from this proposal. This document shouldn’t be sizeable, generally no longer than two to four A4 pages, but can take any format and can refer to concepts, lines of enquiry, processes for engagement, methodologies for collaboration - and even potential outcomes. The proposal should be accompanied by a CV and images, recordings etc. of previous work. Proposals should be submitted online only here before midnight on Sunday 20th July 2025.

Artists may submit multiple proposals for a single company or different proposals for more than one company.

Selection Process

A panel consisting of representatives of the Arts Office and Local Enterprise Office along with external experts will shortlist applications. A maximum of three proposals will be presented to each company for consideration. One or more of those shortlisted will then be invited to meet with the company.

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria -

• The quality, innovation and artistic merit of the proposal.
• Understanding of the company and the physical, social and cultural context of the project.
• Previous work and track record (or potential) of the applicant.
• Proven understanding of and ability to collaborate successfully.

Dates

Fees

Artist Fee: €2,000.00
Materials Budget: €500.00

Leitrim County Council will provide a materials budget as indicated above. This does not prohibit a company providing further funding towards the project or further funding being sought from other sources.

Access

The partners aim to remove barriers that might prevent artists from achieving the objectives of their artistic proposals. While some access requirements may incur additional costs, others may not. A budget is available to cover access costs to be agreed in advance. The maximum amount of this budget is an additional 25% of the artist’s fee, i.e. €500.

Travel & Accommodation

There is a maximum travel and accommodation budget available up to €1,000 to be agreed in advance and paid on submission of receipts.

Please note that while some off-site or remote work may be crucial to a project, given that the project is about collaboration between the artist and company at that location, this should be kept to a minimum.

Insurance and Health & Safety

Selected artists must carry their own public liability insurance and indemnify the company and project partners in respect of any loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from the project. While each company has a duty of care for artists on their premises, particularly when engaging in any activity under the direction of the company, each artist maintains ultimate responsibility for their own health and safety in relation to the residency.

Continuing a Project

The Spark programme also consists of a longer 6-month programme which follows on from Small Sparks. Should a Small Sparks project give rise to work that would be suitable for the longer 6-month Programme, the Arts Office will look to progress that project with the artist and the company. Should more than one Small Sparks partnership wish to pursue a longer residency, each partnership will be asked to prepare a further proposal, one of which will be selected for the 6-month programme.

Contact

For further information email arts@leitrimcoco.ie.