Artist Support - Thomas Johnston | Ceol Connected - AWEN

Draíocht welcomes Thomas Johnston to the Studio this January, as we continue our longstanding developmental relationship. 

Ceol Connected is developing a new production specifically for children with autism, AWEN. 
Awen will bring the worlds of traditional music and song into the same space as contemporary dance & theatre to create an engaging sensory experience specifically for this audience. Draíocht, given our ongoing provision for these audiences, and knowing first-hand the overwhelming need 'on the ground' for high quality, responsive and meaningful work for same, will support the development phase. 

In recent years, our collaborations with Ceol Connected have included Draíocht supporting the development of work as well as programming same. 

In 2019, Thomas was Draíocht’s Theatre Artist in Residence during which time Ceol Connected developed Lullaby Leaf, a show for children with profound and complex needs, which went on to tour extensively. We maintained this relationship through Thomas’s participation on Draíocht’s HomeGround Mentoring project (2020/2022). Thomas has developed expertise around sensory arts for children with additional needs and has built a team of traditional musicians, singers, dancers, visual artists and theatre-makers who are experienced in and committed to this work. 

Artist Support at Draíocht

Draíocht is recognised as a creative hub and laboratory space and invests significantly in the development of artist's practice by the provision of benefit in kind support such as space, technical support, admin/marketing support and specialist expertise. We offer a wide range of opportunities to artists i.e. commissions, residencies, artist studios/rehearsal space, co-productions, co-commissions, seed funding, mentoring.

Our Artist Support Series, launched during Covid-19, has helped 79 artists in 2020, 50 artists in 2021, 74 artists in 2022, 53 artists in 2023, and 31 artists in 2024 with the provision of free rehearsal and creative space. Space to rehearse, write, create, film, dance, think & plan... whatever is needed!

With thanks to our funders Fingal County Council & The Arts Council.

#SpaceForTheArts #SpaceForMagic #SpaceForYou