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Art Ability
The ‘Art Ability’ programme provides access to high quality art experiences based on meaningful engagement between participants artists and professional artists in a variety of day care and residential settings countywide.

Running since 2003, the programme is underpinned by solid partnerships between Wexford County Council, the HSE and Wexford Mental Health Association, to ensure a sustainable infrastructure for long term access and participation to creative art experiences for people who experience long term mental health issues and/or intellectual disabilities and to support their professional development as artists.  Art Ability currently employs five leads artists across visual arts, music and creative writing, to facilitate workshops year round with our long standing partners in the HSE and Wexford  Mental Health Association. These workshops are delivered in a variety of day care and residential settings countywide.

In 2022 we are introducing an assistant artist’s strand for artists who are interested in developing their skills in this area of arts and health practice and who will receive mentoring and training as part of this programme.

The Art Ability Programme – Assistant Artist Strand
In 2022 we are introducing an assistant artist’s strand, primary aim of which is to provide an opportunity for artists to develop their skills and experience in arts and health and participatory arts practice through hands on experience working with the lead artists in a professional arts and health care environment. In addition, mentoring and training will be provided to the assistant artist.
 
How the Assistant Artist Strand will work 
A total of five assistant artist positions are available. The assistant artists will be paired with one of the lead artists and will agree a programme of work 3-4 hrs.  per week to be delivered over an approx. 10 – 12 week period.
 
These assistant artists will receive a total fee of €1,200.00 The successful applicants must be flexible in terms of contact hours and will be required to work approx. 4  hours per week. This breaks into 2-3 contact hours in the centres per week assisting the lead artist and approx. 1 preparation hour per week.
 
The assistant artist will agree: 
• A programme of work with the lead artist that complements the key aims of the Art Ability Programme and the work of the lead artist. 
• To deliver this programme over a 10 – 12 weeks period or in stages agreed in advance with the lead artists in a manner that supports and complements the Art Ability Programme in the successful centre.
• To take part in Art Ability Steering Group and Creative Team meetings convened by the Arts office.
• In the event of COVID-19 regulations being applied, a virtual programme of work with the lead artists in relation to the Art Ability Programme will be agreed in advance.  All government regulations and HSE guidelines will be adhered too in relation to social distancing measures etc., if and where applicable.
• To undergo Garda vetting requirements of the HSE/Local authority.
• To have their own mode of transport.
 
Mentorship/ Training 
Each assistant artist will be provided with two mentorship sessions with an expert in the field of participatory / arts and health practice towards the beginning and end of programme. The mentor will be selected in consultation with the Arts Department, Wexford County Council. This will provide the assistant artist with an opportunity to develop their expertise in the area of arts and health/ collaborative arts practice and gain informed advice on future career developments.
 
In addition, training will be provided by Wexford Mental Health Services to the assistant artists at the start of the programme.  
 
Application requirements and guidelines for artists 
Artists should submit one PDF file with the following information to be considered for the assistant artist strand:
 
They do not need to include a programme or budget breakdown, as the programme will be developed on appointment in consultation with the lead artists. 

1.    A statement of interest (max 500 words)
• The Statement of interest needs to demonstrate a professional artists practice (cannot be student), an interest and rationale for applying for the programme, as well some experience in working with groups in socially engaged, community, arts and disability or arts and health context. They must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with groups in a community context.

2.    Up to date CV (max 2 pages)

3.    Supporting Documentation 
• This should include samples of your previous and recent arts programme work with people within a community context.
• Please include artwork appropriate to the art form clearly labelled and dated. e.g.  max of 6 still images, video show reel links (only You Tube or Vimeo) max 6 minutes.
• Catalogues, publications, reviews, excerpts from writing accepted.

. . . . .

Online application only: Please submitted completed application by email to arts@wexfordcoco.ie
 
Please compile your application into one PDF document.  This PDF must not exceed 12 MB in size including support material. 
 
Please put in the subject Line of the email – Art Ability Assistant Artist – (and your name)
 
For further information on any of the above, please contact The Arts Department, Wexford County Council, County Buildings, Carricklawn, Wexford on 053-9196396 or email arts@wexfordcoco.ie
  
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS 4.00 p.m.  Thursday 31st March, 2022