TRADE is a collaborative visual arts programme between Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils providing knowledge, resources and opportunities for visual artists within the two counties to engage internationally. Rather than considering ‘rural’ as ‘isolationary’, TRADE emphasises that art is a global construct and encourages a freeflow of ideas and opportunities both for local artists to engage internationally as well as for international artists to participate locally.

TRADE comprises of the following

• A biannual three day seminar
• A biannual residency programme to work with a leading international artist in Roscommon/Leitrim
• A biannual travel award

TRADE Travel Award

This biannual travel award provides the opportunity for one artist from Leitrim and one artist from Roscommon to engage in an international arts programme such as a residency, collaborative arts project or mentoring programme abroad. The aim of the award is to improve the professional development of artists and to provide opportunities for international networking.

Successful applicants may be asked to make a contribution to the seminar aspect of the TRADE programme in King House in December 2011. The nature of this may be a presentation, an illustrated talk, an exhibition or recommendations for the seminar programme.

In order to be eligible for this bursary artists but be domiciled in either Leitrim or Roscommon and have developed a comprehensive project work programme for themselves which displays strong collaboration with artists and/or agencies abroad.

The value of the bursaries is €3,000.00 each.

• Applications must be submitted before the stated deadline.
• Applications must be fully completed and signed.
• Payment of busary will be agreed between the artist and project partners.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be originally from or domiciled in Leitrim or Roscommon.
• Travel must be completed before 1st November 2009.
• Applications must involve meaningful collaboration or involvement with international artists, agencies, residencies etc. (Application to attend events will not be considered.)

Criteria for assessment

• Artistic ambition and excellence of the proposed programme
• The excellence and track record (or potential) of the artist
• The excellence and track record (or potential) of the international partners
• The clarity of the proposal and completeness of supporting information.
• The likely benefit to the applicants practice or career.

Applications must include

• Artist C.V.
• Examples of previous work.
• Detailed income and expenditure budget.
• List of enclosed documentation and support material
• Stamped addressed envelope for return of documentation

Support material may include information establishing the calibre or relevance of international partners – artists, agencies, collaborators etc., letters of support/invitation from international partners, proof of acceptance into organised programmes or other information as appropriate.