Repaired Arts Circular Economy (R.A.C.E)
Repaired Arts Circular Economy (R.A.C.E)
Longford and Mayo Arts Offices are inviting artists to participate in a new circular economy project called R.A.C.E (Repaired Arts Circular Economy). The aim of this project is to work with artists to develop research on circular economy practices at arts festivals / arts events to identify practices that reduce waste through repair, reuse, and upcycling of art materials. This project is grant funded under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Reuse and Repair funding scheme 2024.
The project is seeking applications from artists in Mayo, Longford and the surrounding regions, who are interested in:
- Developing greater understanding of the circular economy
- Learning how to make their own arts practice more sustainable
- Participating in an art making project based on circular economy principals
Project Details
The training will be delivered by Mayo Arts Squad, with support from guest trainers and a project researcher. The researcher will gather participant data at all stages of the project and prepare a report based on analysis of the research outcomes.
The project has three Phases:
Training: Participants will be invited to a half-day introduction to the project and the research objectives. This will be followed by a two-day training in circular economy practices and techniques.
Work Project: Following the training, participants will be invited to apply for a materials grant to undertake a small art project for a local festival or parade in Longford or Mayo. Participants will be encouraged to apply the skills and techniques they acquired in the previous training phase.
Project Conclusion: When the research is completed, a seminar will be organised to publish and disseminate the project research findings. Participants will be invited to seminar and research publication.
Selected participants will be eligible for a €125 honorarium for training participation. Material grants available for stage two are approximately €900.
Dates
Introduction:
- Mayo participants 10-2pm, Thur 25th Sept
- Longford Participants 10-2pm, Fri 26th Sept.
Training:
- Mayo (All participants) 10-4pm Thur 6th Nov.
- Longford (All participants) 10-4pm Thur 27th Nov.
Work Project:
Jan – Jun 2026.
Requirements
The ideal participant will be:
- An artist or maker with prior experience in festival or event-based art events
- Reside in the Longford or Mayo regions or surrounding counties
- Have an interest in further developing skills in sustainable arts practices
Participants must also be:
- Available to attend all workshop days
- Available to undertake an event based art project in 2026.
- Able to understand instruction delivered in English as all workshops will be delivered in the English language
- Able to engage in moderate physical activities and tasks which will form part of the training workshops
How to apply
Submit your complete online application and submit your CV separately to artsoffice@longfordcoco.ie.
All applications are assessed by the workshop trainers, with placement offers based on application content, prior experience and proximity to counties Mayo and Longford..
An offer letter will be issued to the successful candidates.
Application Deadline
Closes for applications at 5pm on 12th Sept, 2025.
