Strollers Touring Network - PROPEL 2024

2024 will see the delivery of cycle 4 of the PROPEL Artist Development Programme. PROPEL is an 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.

PROPEL is a 12-month artist development and mentorship programme for independent theatre makers living and working in Ireland. This programme has been designed, and will be delivered by the Strollers Network, Irelands largest consortium of Arts Centres. 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 sustainable development of artistic practice through a structured mentorship and training programme.

What the programme offers:

• A €20,000 bursary to support the ‘early stage’ development of new work over a 12-month period.
• 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.

Apply online here: https://strollersnetwork.net/propel-artist-development-programme

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

Stage 1: A short form application process (Closing date Friday 3rd May 2024 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 Friday 3rd May 2024, 5pm. Those who have been selected to submit a long form application with be requested to do so on or before Friday the 31st of May 2024.

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

Artist CV, BIO and/or Statement, Examples of previous work (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

Draíocht Blanchardstown
Belltable / Lime Tree, Limerick
Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo
Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo
Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare
Siamsa Tire, Kerry
Solstice Arts Centre, Meath
The Source Arts Centre, Tipperary
VISUAL, Carlow
The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny

Strollers Network is kindly supported by Arts Council Ireland

The Strollers Network is Irelands the largest consortium of Arts Centres. It‘s partnership is made up of ten venues from across four regions of the country. The network represents one fifth of all publicly funded Arts Centres Nationally. Partner organisations include Belltable (Limerick), Draíocht (Dublin), Watergate (Kilkenny), Solstice (Navan), Visual (Carlow), Linenhall (Mayo), Hawkswell (Sligo), Riverbank (Kildare), Source (Tipperary) and Siamsa Tire (Kerry).

Since its establishment in 2010 the network has supported the production and dissemination of new staged works by some of Irelands leading theatre artists, companies and musicians including; Jim Nolan (Brighton, 2010), Julie Feeney (Clocks, 2011), Theatre Lovett (The House that Jack Filled, 2012); Fishamble: The New Play Company (Big Thing, Little Thing by Donal O'Kelly, 2013); Moonfish Theatre Company (Star of the Sea, 2014/2015); Monkeyshine Theatre Company (Voyage, 2016); Duke Special (Hallow, 2017); Fishamble: The New Play Company (Before by Pat Kinevane, 2018); and Joanne Ryan’s national tour of ‘Eggsistentialism’ (2019).

Past recipients of the Propel Programme Award have included: Choy-Ping Ní Chléirigh-Ng 吳彩萍 (2023); Shane O'Reilly (2022) and Roisin Whelan (2021).

2021 also saw the delivery of the networks strategic plan which focused on utilizing the networks existing infrastructure, resources, and wider network partnerships to support the sustainable development of independent theatre makers working within the Irish theatre sector.