Strollers Touring Network - PROPEL 2023

2023 will see the delivery of cycle 3 of the PROPEL Artist Development Programme. A newly established artist support initiative that utilizes the networks existing infrastructure, resources, and wider network partnerships to support the sustainable development of independent theatre makers working within the Irish theatre sector. The programme is delivered over three years, in three graduating cycles (early, mid, final). Supporting a maximum of three artists per year, over a three-year period. The aim of this programme is to strengthen the ecology of the Irish theatre sector by firstly supporting the development of new work by independent theatre makers, and secondly by supporting the long-term sustainable development of artists through capacity building and strategic professional development.

What the programme offers -

What the programme offers –

· Year 1 - €20,000 bursary to support the ‘early stage’ of development of artistic practice and professional strategic development.

· Year 2 - €10,000 bursary to support the ‘mid stage’ development of artistic practice and professional strategic development.

· Year 3 - €5,000 bursary to support the ‘final stage’ of development of artistic practice and professional strategic development.

· Access to development and rehearsal spaces in 10 Arts Centres across the country.

· Support and mentorship from a panel of experts in producing, fundraising, technical production, marketing, finance, cultural entrepreneurship, audience development and engagement, and strategic business development and management.

· An opportunity to present a work-in-progress performance or showing as part of a major festival.

How to Apply -

The application process for the programme has been divided into two stages:

Stage 1: A short form application process (Closing date Tuesday 2nd May 2023 5pm)

Stage 2: Long form application process for artists/companies that have been shortlisted during stage 1 and have been requested by the selection panel to submit a more detailed proposal. Artists/Companies who are not strategically funded will be paid a fee of €100 to complete the stage two application.

The following application is for stage one of this process only.

Please note that the closing date for receipt of your stage 1 application is Tuesday 2nd May 2023, 5pm. Those who have been selected to submit a long form application with be requested to do so on or before Friday the 26th of May 2023.

Please note in order to complete this application you will need to attach the following documentation -

Artist CV, BIO and/or Statement (max 4 pages, in pdf or word format and less the 1mb)


We hope that by offering two different options for completing the main section of this application, via both text and video, that we have managed to make this application process as accessible as possible (see section 2.1 & 2.2). If you require further reasonable adjustment or additional support in completing this application please contact Alex Rosiak at strollersnetwork@gmail.com


Strollers Network Partners:

Draíocht Blanchardstown
Belltable / The Lime Tree Theatre
Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo
Linenhall Arts Centre
Riverbank Arts Centre
Siamsa Tire
Solstice Arts Centre
The Source Arts Centre
VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
The Watergate Theatre

Strollers Network is kindly supported by Arts Council Ireland

More ... The Strollers Network is Ireland’s largest consortium of Art Centres. It is a partnership made up of ten venues from across four regions of the country including; Belltable (Limerick), Draíocht (Dublin), Watergate (Kilkenny), Solstice (Navan), Visual (Carlow), Linenhall (Mayo), Hawkswell Theatre (Sligo), Riverbank (Kildare), Source (Tipperary) and Siamsa Tire (Kerry). Collectively the network represents one fifth of all publicly funded Arts Centres nationally.

Since its establishment in 2010 the network has invested over €190,000 into the production and dissemination of new stage works by some of Ireland’s leading theatre artists, companies and musicians including; Julie Feeney (2011), Fishamble: The New Play Company (2013 & 2018), Theatre Lovett (2012), Moonfish Theatre Company (2014/15), Monkeyshine Theatre Company (2016), Duke Special (2017) and most recently Joanne Ryan’s national tour of ‘Eggsistentialism’ (2019).

Historically the network has supported artists in two distinct ways, firstly through our annual touring award of €10,000 and secondly by providing artists and companies access to a touring platform which utilised the network’s existing touring infrastructure.

Since 2020 the network has embarked on the development and delivery of a new strategic plan which aims to strengthen the ecology of the Irish arts sector by utilising the network’s existing infrastructures, resources, and wider network partnerships to support the sustainable development of independent artists working within the Irish theatre sector. 2021 will see the launch of PROPEL, a newly established artist development and mentorship programme supporting the early stage research and development of new work by independent theatre artists living and working in Ireland.