For artists and creatives at any stage of their career who are trying something new. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice and are based in or from the north of Ireland.

CCA is hosting a two-part online crit group on Friday 7 February and Friday 14 February 2025, 10am–12.30pm. During the sessions up to eight artists in will share a piece of their work with the rest of the group. The session is facilitated by CCA Public Programmes Curator Laura McCafferty. Up to four artists present each week, with the rest of the group providing feedback through discussion. This is a platform for artists to receive feedback and the chance to generate a discussion around your work. Information about the crit and the Zoom link for this event will be sent to you in advance. A short break will be given halfway through the crit.

*Please note that you can attend these crits if you have already taken part in a previous series*

Tickets are available from our online shop:

FEBRUARY CCADLD.org/shop

For any further information, contact us on supports@ccadld.org.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is funded by Jerwood Foundation and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The session has taken place. It was recorded and will soon be available to watch as a resource via this page.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is offering a series of training sessions to expand artists’ skills sets, increase employability and build confidence. These workshops have been developed based on the responses from our recent Training Survey when we asked you what training you would need to benefit your practice, and what additional training might enable you to earn more income to support your practice. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, based nationally or internationally.

How to plan your first workshop will take place via CCA’s Zoom on Thursday 12 December 2024, 6–7.30pm. It is led by Laura McCafferty, CCA's Public Programmes Curator and Jerwood Supports Coodinator. This training workshop is aimed at artists and creatives who would like to devise and deliver public workshops. It will take the form of a webinar followed by a discussion.

During the training session Laura will cover:

~ What to expect from delivering workshops as an artist or creative.

~ The benefits of having this skill as an artist and creative.

~ Getting started: What do if you have an idea for a workshop.

~ What next: Respond to a brief or an exhibition to plan the workshop.

~ Making a plan: Aims, audience, location and promotion.

~ The pros and cons of in-person and virtual.

~ How to work with a budget, plan materials and liaise with your partner.

~ Safeguarding – who is responsible? Health and safety – where to start?

~ What is essential and what to avoid.

~ How to ensure a positive experience for all involved.

About Laura McCafferty:

Laura has worked as an artist since 2004 and has experience delivering workshops to people of all ages and abilities. She was a tutor at Nottingham Trent University until 2020 and led workshops for Fine and Decorative arts students. Since 2020 she has worked with many artists and artist educators to plan and deliver public workshops including the schools programme workshops, drop-in workshops for CCA’s cultural calendar and workshops as part of the exhibition strand. Laura would like to share this experience with those who are keen to work creatively with the public, but are unsure of where to start. This workshop aims to build the confidence of those who have creative skills to offer, but are unsure of how to get started.

You can book your free place for this training workshop via our online shop here. It is suited to those aged 18 and above. The session will be recorded and available as a resource via our Supports page.

The session has taken place. It was recorded and will soon be available to watch as a resource via this page.

Thursday 21 November 2024, 11am–12.30pm

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is offering a series of training sessions to expand artists’ skills sets, increase employability and build confidence. These workshops have been developed based on the responses from our recent Training Survey when we asked you what training you would need to benefit your practice, and what additional training might enable you to earn more income to support your practice. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, based nationally or internationally.

How to write about work: Your own, and that of others takes place via CCA's Zoom account on Thursday 21 November 2024, 11am–12.30pm. During this training session, arts practitioner Cecelia Graham will share learnings about ways to write about your work and that of others. The session will include a discussion about writing formats, from traditional forms to more experimental approaches, and strategies for finding your writing style. Cecelia will bring examples of different approaches to writing about work, and will ask those who attend to test out short writing exercises.

The first part of the session will consider ways of writing artist statements, thinking about what is usually covered, alongside styles and tones that can be adopted. We will have a look at other artist statements, and ways they can be adapted to suit different needs.

In the second part of the workshop, we will look at ways of writing about others people work, including tools to increase confidence and routes into the work of others. Throughout the session, we will also have a look at the multitude of ways writing can form part of or sit alongside your work, including alternative approaches to catalogues and exhibition guides.

You can book your free place for this training workshop via our online shop. It is suited to those aged 18 and above. The session will be recorded and available as a resource via our Supports page.

About Cecelia Graham:

Cecelia Graham is a practitioner based between Belfast, Derry and Mid-Ulster in the north of Ireland who works with writing, participatory events and curation within her practice.

Cecelia explores collective knowledge gathering, alternative economies and labour practices in order to challenge notions of hyper-productivity, disciplinary borders and power hoarding often relied on within institutions. Her work considers modes of working that emerge from collaborative and slow methods within ecology, agriculture, craft and messy acts of love and vulnerability. Challenging the language of professionalism, Cecelia seeks alternative modes of advocating for and supporting a community of artists that resist strict, slick outputs.

The session has taken place. It was recorded and will soon be available to watch as a resource via this page.

Saturday 9 November 2024, 2pm–4pm

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is offering a series of training sessions to expand artists’ skills sets, increase employability and build confidence. These workshops have been developed based on the responses from our recent Training Survey when we asked you what training you would need to benefit your practice, and what additional training might enable you to earn more income to support your practice. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, based nationally or internationally.

We are delighted to announce AV Set Up for Install with Paul Moore. This training will take the form of a workshop in CCA on Saturday 9 November 2024, 2pm–4pm.

AV Set Up for Install will cover:

~ Basic kit: Considering screens, monitors, media players, audio, speakers, amplifiers and projectors. Looking at various levels of budget.

~ Types of projectors and surfaces to project on to.

~ Types of files: File types, compatibility and resolution.

~ What can you play from? Media players, Rasberry Pi and Mac Mini. We'll discuss types of hardware and software.

~ Sound/Audio: Considering surround sound, position of speakers and types of set up.

You can book your free place for this training workshop via our online shop here. It is suited to those aged 18 and above. The session will be recorded and available as a resource via our Supports page.

About Paul Moore:

Paul is an artist based in Belfast who works in sonic/electronic (audio/visual) installations with performance. Operating within the field; gathering bodies of ephemeral and ambient sounds and images, particularly whilst in motion. Paul is a freelance art technician and educator, having provided technical support for artists, galleries and organisations including the Mac, Golden Thread Gallery, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Flax Studios and the University of Atypical. Previously holding the position of Creative Technician for the Digital Arts Studios, Belfast and was responsible for setting up and co-programming its Future Labs training programme for professional artists.

The session has taken place. It was recorded and will soon be available to watch as a resource via this page.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is offering a series of training sessions to expand artists’ skills sets, increase employability and build confidence. These workshops have been developed based on the responses from our recent Training Survey when we asked you what training you would need to benefit your practice, and what additional training might enable you to earn more income to support your practice. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, based nationally or internationally.

We are delighted to announce Woodwork for Install with Peter Glasgow. This training will take the form of a workshop in CCA, 10-12 Artillery Street, BT48 6RG, on Tuesday 15 October 2024, 1pm–3pm.

Peter will be approaching Woodwork for Install from the position of an artist who has picked up woodworking skills and techniques in order to install his own work and others. No prior woodworking experience is necessary. The workshop will cover:

~ Essential tools; from basic hand tools to affordable power tools.
~ Guide to building materials and how to choose and buy them including sheet materials and machined softwood.
~ Safe handling of tools and materials.
~ Basic construction skills such as cutting and joining.
~ Building essential install items such as shelves, plinths, tables and screens.
~ Guide to filling holes and joins and finishing, priming and painting.

You can book your free place for this training workshop via our online shop. It is suited to those aged 18 and above. The session will be recorded and available as a resource via our Supports page.

About Peter Glasgow:

Peter Glasgow is a visual artist who lives and works in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. He studied at Wimbledon College of Art and the Royal College of Art, where he graduated from MA Fine Art Printmaking in 2015. He has exhibited at South Kiosk (London), Catalyst Arts (Belfast), Flax Art Studios (Belfast) and Art Licks Weekend (London) and has created installations for gallery and non-gallery spaces, including a disused three-storey terrace house and a former TV studio. From 2017-2019 Peter was a co-director of artist-led space Catalyst Arts. In August 2024 he will present a new collaborative performance with Alex Paveley as part of COMMUNE, a programme of live events produced by Muine Bheag Arts in Co. Carlow.

peterglasgow.co.uk

The session has taken place. It was recorded and will soon be available to watch as a resource via this page.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is offering a series of training sessions to expand artists’ skills sets, increase employability and build confidence. These workshops have been developed based on the responses from our recent Training Survey when we asked you what training you would need to benefit your practice, and what additional training might enable you to earn more income to support your practice. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, based nationally or internationally.

We are delighted to announce the next in the series An Introduction to Art Handling: With Corrie Masson, MA Conservation of Fine Art. This training workshop will take place in CCA, 10-12 Artillery Street, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6RG on Tuesday 24 September 2024, 1–4pm. It will be led by Corrie Masson, a Fine Art Conservator from, and based in Northern Ireland. Corrie works for private clients, public galleries and heritage organisations throughout Ireland. Her specialist areas include painting conservation, preventive conservation, and collections care.

@ct_conservation

linkedin.com/corriemasson

An Introduction to Art Handling | With Corrie Masson, MA Conservation of Fine Art:

This workshop will outline the major do’s and don’ts when it comes to handling works of art, as well as practical and affordable tips for their handling, display and storage. We will consider a range of artworks including paintings, works of art on paper and sculpture. Participants are encouraged to bring their own case study examples to the session. (NB: small portable artworks may be brought to the session, otherwise photographs/descriptions of scenarios are preferred)

The workshop will benefit emerging artists who may not have access to specialised art handling companies and who want to learn how to minimise the risk of damage to themselves and their artworks. It may also be of interest to those wishing to pursue a career as an art technician. No prior knowledge is required.

You can book your free place for this training workshop via our online shop here. It is suited to those aged 18 and above. The session will be recorded and available as a resource via our Supports page.

The session has taken place. It was recorded and will soon be available to watch as a resource via this page.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is offering a series of training sessions to expand artists’ skills sets, increase employability and build confidence. These workshops have been developed based on the responses from our recent Training Survey when we asked you what training you would need to benefit your practice, and what additional training might enable you to earn more income to support your practice. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, based nationally or internationally.

We are delighted to announce Writing Sustainability Plans and Statements with Shane Malone-Murphy. This training workshop will take the form of an online webinar via the CCA Zoom account on Thursday 15 August 2024, 10am–12pm.

This webinar is aimed towards artists, curators, and other cultural workers, who wish to expand their understanding of sustainability. The webinar will introduce participants to the initial tools needed to write sustainability plans. The topics covered in this webinar can be utilised within individual studio practices and larger cultural organisations. The goal of this webinar is to offer participants tools to promote an understanding of what sustainability could be, embedding a desire for transformative action across the cultural community.

Webinar | Writing Sustainability Plans and Statements will cover:

~ An explanation of what a sustainability plan is and why it is important within the creative cultural community.
~ Expanded definitions of sustainability.
~ How to understand common ‘sustainable’ terms and phrases.
~ How to begin implementing actionable, scalable, and honest sustainability plans that will help to do the work of becoming and maintaining sustainability.
~ Resources for further understandings

This training workshop was recorded and will be available here soon. It is suited to those aged 18 and above. The session will be recorded and available as a resource via our Supports page.

About Shane Malone-Murphy:

Shane Malone-Murphy is a Wicklow based artist who graduated with a first class honours degree in Sculpture and Combined Media from the Limerick School of Art and Design and holds a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Exhibition Making from Creative Futures Academy with the National College of Art and Design. Shane works with Kunstverein Aughrim as a Technical Support and Sustainability Consultant.

Shane Malone-Murphy

The session has taken place. It was recorded and will soon be available to watch as a resource via this page.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is offering a series of training sessions to expand artists’ skills sets, increase employability and build confidence. These workshops have been developed based on the responses from our recent Training Survey when we asked you what training you would need to benefit your practice, and what additional training might enable you to earn more income to support your practice. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, based nationally or internationally.

We are delighted to announce the first in the series Safeguarding: Keeping Children and Adults Safe. This training workshop will take the form of an online webinar via the CCA Zoom account on Thursday 6 June 2024, 10–11.30am. It will be led by Roisin Timlin, Training & Development Officer, Volunteer Now. The workshop will take the form of a webinar followed by a Q and A for your specific questions. You can read more about Roisin below.

Webinar | Keeping Children and Adults Safe will cover:

~ Overview of legal and policy context of safeguarding children and adults

~ Categories of abuse

~ How to deal with a disclosure of abuse

~ How to report safeguarding concerns

~ How to safely plan activities with children and adults

About Roisin Timlin, Training & Development Officer, Volunteer Now:

Roisin has ten years’ experience within the field of youth work and over 11 years in child and adult safeguarding work where she has been trained and accredited to deliver Keeping Children Safe and Keeping Adults Safe training. Her work within the Our Duty to Care team has involved developing generic and tailored training programmes and delivering to a wide range of audiences within organisations across all sectors. Roisin also has experience of developing, delivering and assessing the accredited OCNNI Level III Keeping Safe Training the Trainers programme which trains other safeguarding trainers. Roisin is also a member on the Charter Institute of Personal Development (CIPD).

Roisin brings a broad range of experience across all sectors, working with groups of all sizes. This has included facilitating youth workshops and providing safeguarding training and support to a range of voluntary and community organisations, schools, colleges, universities, Councils and private organisations. She brings expertise supporting groups and organisations in review/development of policies and procedures for safeguarding all vulnerable groups and led the review and development of an inclusive safeguarding disabled children training programme.

Over the last 8 years Roisin has taken the lead on Volunteer Now’s Safeguarding Children and Adults Project in the Arts and Culture Sector and worked in partnership with lead organisations including the Arts Council NI, Foras na Gaeilge and Ulster Scots Agency. The aim of the project has been to support organisations to develop their safeguarding policies and practices, to create a safe environment for the children and adults using their services or participating in their activities. The support provided includes safeguarding policy reviews against Volunteer Now’s recognised minimum standards endorsed by Department of Health; the delivery of Keeping Children and Adults Safe training; and the provision of a safeguarding enquiry service and safeguarding clinics.

Roisin is a very experienced AccessNI signatory and has been responsible for training and supporting new signatories. She was the named contact for Belfast City Council, providing support to their funded groups accessing checks. She developed and delivered training sessions to help groups and organisations understand the legal framework, with regards to recruitment and selection.

Roisin has represented Volunteer Now on several safeguarding strategic partnerships, including the Access NI Stakeholders Forum and the Safeguarding Children in Sport Strategic Group, and continues to represent Volunteer Now on the Local Adult Safeguarding Partnerships.

1: Woodwork for install: Woodwork & Joinery courses.
Watch out for courses becoming available at:

South Eastern Regional College: Woodwork Introduction Students will be encouraged to design and work on projects of their own choice. This course is a beginners course in which students will develop basic Carpentry and Joinery skills. More info here.

North West Regional College, Northern Ireland: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Site Carpentry). More info here.

South Regional College, Northern Ireland: Carpentry and joinery Level 2 Traineeship. More info here.

Northern Regional College, Northern Ireland: Carpentry and Joinery Classes. More info here.

Joinery Courses at Rutledge, Northern Ireland: More info here.

2: Tax advice:
Tax and Self-employment - Northern Ireland. More info here.

VAI Webinar: An Artist's Guide to Tax Tuesday 18 June 2024 11am–12.30pm. More info here.

You can book a one-to-one Surgery with Catherine Hemelryk through CCA’s Online Shop here.

3: Art Handling:
Basic principles of Art Handling: VAI guide

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is launching a new strand of application feedback sessions for artists. These will offer artists two hours of bespoke support for artists making applications that might require a range of material, such as CVs, artist statements, proposals, budgets, and support material. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice. These feedback sessions are for those based in or from the north of Ireland, with 2-hour sessions available for artists.

Whilst each artist and application will be different, the two hour slots could be broken down across two sessions as follows:

• 30 minutes of initial reading, followed by 30 minutes of discussion between artist and reviewer

• Then, some days later, 30 minutes of final reading and 30 minutes of further feedback

To book:

Please email Laura on supports@ccadld.org to book your slot. These will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis, so artists are advised to plan in advance. It is imagined that the feedback sessions will take place via Zoom, however, we will make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate access requirements.

Access:

We welcome and encourage applications from artists from marginalised backgrounds.

Should the artist and reviewer agree to meet in person, CCA Supports x Jerwood can support travel costs and any access requirements such as childcare. Applicants with access requirements applying for opportunities are warmly invited to email Laura on supports@ccadld.org to let us know of any access requirements you may have to reduce any barriers in making your application or participating in the programme.

Surgeries:

1-to-1 surgeries with CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk are also available for artists who want to chat about their work outside application feedback, or receive critical and practical advice. Booking information is available below, with dates updated quarterly.

These 1-2-1 surgeries are for artists who want to chat about their work, or receive critical and practical advice such as funding application feedback with CCA’s Director Catherine Hemelryk. This opportunity is for artists who are not currently in any type of formal education who have begun their professional practice, and are based in or from the North of Ireland. We will have four slots available per day, each lasting for 25 minutes.

New dates will be available soon on our online shop: CCADLD.org/shop

For any further information, contact us on supports@ccadld.org.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is funded by Jerwood Foundation and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

While CCA is changing exhibitions artists can use the gallery spaces to document work. The next available time slot for this is: 24–25 September 2024.

To book in email info@ccadld.org.

Click here for a .docx of a template invoice for your own use. If you need the sample invoice in another format, email us on info@ccadld.org.

An access rider is a document that outlines your disability access needs.

You might make one so that you can give it to galleries/institutions/organisations when you start working with them on a project, such as a gallery you’re doing a show at for example, to let them know what your limitations and requirements are to make sure you have equal access to work. You can find more details on what access riders are and what to include in your own here.

Download your template for creating an access rider created by Disability Arts Online here.

If you are a D/deaf and/or disabled artist making applications, please contact University of Atypical, the disability- and artist-led sector-support body who offer advice sessions and a range of access supports for D/deaf or disabled artists.

Artquest

Artquest offer an introduction to websites and social networks here, which outlines their choices for the best platforms for artists across a range of website providers, media platforms, blogs and social media options. Artquest also have a separate guide to e-newsletters, which includes how and when to use them, and information on GDPR - how you store and use subscribers’ personal data. They also point out the significance of good quality images in sharing your work online.

Visual Artists Ireland (VAI)

VAI offer a list of website designers, as well as some options for creating your own site. VAI also have excellent resources on step-by-step technical guides to documenting your work, including the equipment that you will need and techniques to consider. VAI members can also access a wide range of webinars, including:

• What Makes a Good Artist Website?

• Navigating the Art World as an Artist Online

• How to Make Video Content for Social Media with a Mobile Phone

• Communicating Your Practice Online

• Digital Marketing for Artists – Reaching Your Audience

• Making an Impact on Social Media

• Sustaining Your Practice; a practical guide to staying connected and visible online

Volunteering North West are putting people in touch with local organisations who are working collectively to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported. Visit their website to sign up.

CCA Volunteering opportunities are listed on our Opportunities page.

A Discretionary Support self-isolation grant is available for freelancers isolating.

You may be able to get a Discretionary Support self-isolation grant to help with the cost of living (for example, to buy food, toiletries or cleaning materials or to top up your fuel meter) if, you or any member of your immediate family has either been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are self-isolating in line with the latest guidance published by the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being.

Full details at nidirect.gov.uk

The cost of living crisis is continuing. A series of measures are available for support with domestic energy and more. For information including links for individuals, families, universal credit and more visit nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/cost-living

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) offers support and financial help so you can do suitable work if you are able to. It gives you access to a Work Coach and services including employment, training and condition management support to help you manage your illness or disability at work.

You may be able to claim ESA if any of the following apply:

• your Statutory Sick Pay has ended or you can't get it
• you're employed, self-employed, unemployed or a student on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
• you've been getting Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and have not gone back to work for your employer because you've an illness or disability which affects your ability to work
• you are under State Pension age
• you are not getting Jobseeker’s Allowance

Click here for full details and how to apply for ESA.

You will find the most current information from ACNI on advice and support, funding schemes, etc can be found here.

The details and deadlines for live funding schemes can be found here.

Visual Artists Ireland is the Representative body for professional visual artists in Ireland and Northern Ireland. VAI research has identified: Isolation; a Need for Support; and a Need for Information as the three primary areas of concern for visual artists.

You can find full listings of their events both in person and online at their website visualartists.ie.

Visual Arts Ireland has compiled an information page that covers advice on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme here.

Up-to-date details for funding opportunities for individuals and organisations are available here.

For the latest Culture Ireland grants, click here.

A summary of the Cost of Living Crisis support available is listed at citizensinformation.ie.

You can read the full Press Release and announcement of CCA x Jerwood = Supports at our press page here.

CCA x Jerwood = Supports is made possible with funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council and Jerwood Foundation.

Header image: Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh, Ferox, 2022