Strollers Touring Network - PROPEL 2025

2025 will see the delivery of Cycle 5 of the PROPEL Artist Development Programme. An established artist support initiative that utilizes the network’s 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:

• 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.

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 2nd May 2025 5pm

Stage 2: Long form application process for artists that have been shortlisted during stage 1 and have been requested by the selection panel to submit a more detailed proposal. Artists 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.

The closing date for receipt of stage 1 applications is Friday 2nd May 2025, 5pm.
Those who have been selected to submit a long form application will be requested to do so on or before Friday the 30th of May 2025.

Please note in order to complete this application you will need to attach the following documentation in one PDF document (max. 6 pages, no more than 10MB in size) which should include:

• Artist CV, BIO and/or Statement
• Examples of previous work (images and/or links to examples of previous work)

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 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