Jess Rowell - Dance Artist in Residence 2021

We are delighted to announce the return of Jess Rowell as Draíocht's Dance Artist in Residence 2021.

This dance residency responds to our 2018-2022 Strategy ‘Space for the Arts’, in particular our commitment to expand equality of access to more children.

"Last year shone a light on the resilience, ingenuity and versatility of dancers and dance as an art form. It is a universal language that connects us in many beautiful ways. I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Draíocht again this year. I look forward to building on the rich relationships created during 2020 and forming new ones." Jess Rowell

Throughout 2021 Jess will continue to develop her own professional practice and build on the creative relationships formed throughout her 2020 Residency. She will engage with school children, young people and artists with intellectual disabilities and form new relationships with other professionals working in the same field.

Some of the over arching aims of Jess’ residency are:

• To continue to build on relationships, movement and performance skills with members of Create Dance - Draíocht’s special needs dance programme. Jess will expand on the rich virtual repertoire created in 2020, whilst continuing to create new work in a supportive, appropriate and dynamic context for this group of young people.
• Make a new dance film ‘Ripples’ with the technical support structure developed in Draíocht during 2020. This film will feature members of Create Dance and guest dance artist Brian McSweeney. ‘Ripples’ will feature an original sound score written by film score composer Stefan French.
• Continue to support Brian McSweeney’s professional development and his relationship with Create Dance members by offering him a co facilitation role in the development phase of ‘Ripples’.
• Enrich Draíocht’s exisiting educational outreach programme; by developing a new ‘sensory friendly’ dance theatre performance ‘Making Waves’ for children with additional needs in ASD units within mainstream national schools and special needs national schools in Dublin 15. ‘Making Waves’ will feature three Irish based movement artists a composer and a set designer.
• Expand on Draíocht’s relationship with artists of all disciplines, nurturing collaborative exchanges between artists, young people and the community.

Jess Rowell’s Dance Residency in Draíocht is supported by The Arts Council, with additional funding provided by Fingal County Council and Draíocht.