ABOUT SMALL SPARKS

Spark was developed by Leitrim County Council’s Arts Office and Local Enterprise Office for companies that are interested in collaborating with artists and promoting creativity within their organisation, and artists that are interested in exploring how their thinking, knowledge and practice can have relevance and impact in different environments.

As part of Small Sparks three Leitrim businesses are provided the opportunity to each work with an artist to explore common interests and how creative activity can benefit both the company and the artist. There are no preconditions on what the artist (who may be from any arts discipline) might do, and it is not obligatory to have produced anything by the end of the project (although a materials budget is available if required). The residency lasts for approximately 10 days over three weeks, which can be taken in one block or spread over a longer period as agreed between the artist and company. Quite naturally, what an artist will do will be influenced by the adopted environment, thus providing a greater interest and involvement in what the artist produces from staff and clients/customers, pointing to different, creative and innovative paths and serving as a catalyst for new thinking.

If artist/company partnerships who take part in the Small Sparks wish to continue to work together, they can apply to undertake a more long-term 6-month artist-in-residence programme thereafter.

 

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES

The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, is a testament to the creative vision of its founder, PJ Rigney. Nestled in the heart of rural Ireland, this distillery is renowned for its unique and innovative spirits, including Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka. The distillery combines traditional methods with modern innovation, utilising state-of-the-art copper pot and column stills crafted by Arnold Holstein in Germany. The distillery’s picturesque location on the shores of Lough Allen and at the foothills of Sliabh an Iarainn, provides a perfect backdrop for PJ Rigney’s experimental approach. Rigney’s dedication to blending local Irish botanicals with exotic ingredients from his travels is evident in the distillery’s flagship products. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, for example, incorporates gunpowder tea from China, creating a distinctive and flavourful spirit. Visitors to The Shed Distillery can enjoy a fully guided tour, which includes an expert tasting session and a visit to the Honey Badger Bar, set in a botanical glasshouse. The tour offers an immersive experience into the distillation process and a chance to sample the distillery’s creations. The distillery also features the Jackalope Café, serving hearty Irish foods and beverages, and the Curious Gift Shop, offering exclusive bottle editions and artisan products.

https://www.thesheddistillery.com/

 

Leitrim Hill Creamery is nestled in the picturesque village of Drumcong, County Leitrim, where it operates as a micro dairy within a charmingly converted hay shed. Their passion for preserving tradition and fostering community shines through our range of artisanal dairy products. From the rich flavours of raw milk cheese to the indulgent sweetness of small-batch ice cream, every creation reflects the essence of our locale. Delight your taste buds with their handcrafted confectionary, including velvety fudge and luscious cajeta, a traditional goat’s milk jam. Leitrim Hill Creamery go beyond crafting dairy products weaving a narrative that celebrates the symbiotic relationship between the land, the community, and time-honoured traditions. Through their artisanal offerings, they invite you to savour not just flavours, but stories—stories of people, place, and heritage. Founded and nurtured by a family of passionate artisans, Leitrim Hill Creamery is proudly female-led, embodying values of collaboration, creativity, and dedication passed down through generations. Their commitment to sustainability and community extends to their ingredients. They hand-select locally farmed and foraged ingredients for our ice creams, ensuring each scoop embodies the freshness and flavours of the surrounding landscape. Their cheeses are meticulously hand-ladled, utilizing natural cheesemaking methods that honour centuries-old traditions. Similarly, their ice cream is wholly produced in-house, using local milk and free-range eggs, ensuring each batch is crafted with care and authenticity. With a commitment to quality, sustainability, and authenticity, Leitrim Hill Creamery invites you to experience the taste of tradition, one delectable creation at a time.

https://www.facebook.com/leitrimhillcreamery/

 

Crusader Cabins, established in 2016, stands as a premier provider of top-tier accommodations, including customizable cabins, traditional Irish cottages, and the oldest property in Leitrim – a 400-year-old Bavarian log cabin. Their mission is to promote a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle by offering eco-friendly cabins that enrich holiday experiences and foster a deeper connection with nature. In their pursuit of excellence, they prioritize both luxury and value, striving to create a haven where guests can find solace and indulgence. They are renowned for their commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, catering to vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Their core service involves managing unique properties along the Wild Atlantic Way, listed on platforms like Airbnb, booking.com and Hogans Travel where our existing properties boast exceptional ratings, they have a super host status on Airbnb with a 5* rating across all properties. Services include property management, maintenance, and continuous improvement based on guest feedback, with a strong focus on sustainability. They currently manage three distinct properties in Leitrim, which they aim to expand with three additional new tiny-home log cabins. These compact yet cozy dwellings are designed for functionality and comfort. Nestled in the Leitrim countryside with views of Donegal Bay, these cabins feature open-plan layouts, rustic aesthetics, and loft sleeping areas to optimize space and enhance the natural surroundings.

https://www.facebook.com/crusadercabins/

 

HOW TO APPLY

The process for application is set out here below. Applicants can be from any arts discipline. While some companies may appear suited to one or other artform, neither the arts office nor any of the companies have any preconceived ideas on what a project might look like or what approach any artist might propose, and as such are entirely open to all artists, disciplines and ideas.

1. a) Declaration of Interest

Interested artists should first register their interest in the programme online here.  Artists who have declared an interest are invited to a site visit of the three companies and meet with the arts office, and management and staff at the three companies, leading to a better understanding of the programme and the company involved. While attendance at the site visit is not essential to make an application, it is strongly advised that applicants do so.

To declare your interest in SPARK, please register online at this link before midnight on Sunday 30^th June 2024.

1. b) Site Visit

The site visit will be in person and start at the first of the three companies with an introduction to the programme, its background and what it hopes to achieve. We will then speak with management at the first company, where artists will have the opportunity to ask questions about their operation before travelling on to the second and third companies and concluding with a final Q&A about the programme generally.

The site visit will be on Wednesday 10^th July 2024.

Artist’s attending may use their own transport to attend the site visits. However, a bus will travel from Carrick on Shannon to the other two locations returning to Carrick on Shannon in the afternoon in order to facilitate those arriving to Leitrim on public transport. All artists wishing to may avail of the bus service (prior booking required). The schedule for the site visit is as follows:

• Bus pick-up at train station at 11.15.
• Assemble at The Dock at 11.30 for site visit.
• Bus Departs The Dock, Carrick on Shannon at 11.40.
• Arrive Leitrim Hill Creamery at 12.00 noon; Depart 12.40.
• Arrive The Shed Distillery at 13.00 (tea/coffee/lunch available at distillery café). Site visit at 13.40; Depart 14.20.
• Arrive Crusader Cabins, Kinlough at 15.20; Depart 16.00.
• Arrive Carrick on Shannon 17.00 (Bus-Stop opposite Landmark Hotel and onto Carrick on Shannon Train Station).

Public transport available from Sligo and Dublin on the day is as follows:

Mode	From	To	Depart	Arrive
Train	Dublin	Carrick on Shannon	09.05	11.14
Train	Sligo	Carrick on Shannon	09.05	09.49
Bus	Dublin	Carrick on Shannon	08.10	10.59
Bus	Sligo	Carrick on Shannon	08.00	09.04
Train	Carrick on Shannon	Dublin	17.45	20.37
Train	Carrick on Shannon	Sligo	17.18	18.09
Bus	Carrick on Shannon	Dublin	19.25	22.00
Bus	Carrick on Shannon	Sligo	20.33	21.19

1. c) Proposal

Following the site visit, artists are invited to propose ideas and approaches for a three-week residency at any of the companies. This document is not a definitive proposal that you would be expected to carry out. Rather, by identifying potential approaches, methodologies or even outcomes, the document provides a vivid insight into your thinking, your understanding of the company, and your capacity to develop an innovative project appropriate to that context. Given that this proposal is only based on a short site visit, while it may serve as a useful starting point, the anticipation is that the residency would differ substantially, if not completely, from this proposal.

This document shouldn’t be sizeable, generally no longer than 2 to 4 A4 pages, but can take any format and can refer to concepts, lines of enquiry, processes for engagement, methodologies for collaboration – and even potential outcomes.

The proposal should be accompanied by a CV and images, recordings etc. of previous work. Proposals should be submitted online only here before midnight on Sunday 4^th August.

SELECTION PROCESS

A panel consisting of representatives of the Arts Office and Local Enterprise Office along with external experts will shortlist applications. A maximum of three proposals will be presented to each company for consideration. One or more of those shortlisted will then be invited to meet with the company.

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria –

• The quality, innovation and artistic merit of the proposal.
• Understanding of the company and the physical, social and cultural context of the project.
• Previous work and track record (or potential) of the applicant.
• Proven understanding of and ability to collaborate successfully.

 

DATES

• Closing Date for expression of interest:                  Sunday 30 June 2024
• Site Visit:                                                                             Wednesday 10 July 2024
• Closing Date for receipt of proposals:                      Sunday 4 August 2024
• Residency Period:                                                            August – December 2024

 

FEES

• Artist Fee                                                                             €2,000.00
• Materials Budget:                                                            €500.00

Leitrim County Council will provide a materials budget as indicated above. This does not prohibit a company providing further funding towards the project or further funding being sought from other sources.

 

CONTINUING A PROJECT

The Spark programme also consists of a longer 6-month programme which follows on from Small Sparks. Should a Small Sparks project give rise to work that would be suitable for the longer 6-month Programme, the Arts Office will look to progress that project with the artist and the company. Should more than one Small Sparks partnership wish to pursue a longer residency, each partnership will be asked to prepare a further proposal, one of which will be selected for the 6-month programme.

 

LINKS

Expression of Interest – https://forms.leitrimcoco.ie/form-74642/spark-expression-of-interest-2024

Proposal Submission – https://forms.leitrimcoco.ie/form-74647/spark-proposal-submission-2024

 

CONTACT

For further information contact: 071 96 21694, arts@leitrimcoco.ie or go to www.leitrimarts.ie

 

Spark is a project of Leitrim County Council’s Arts Office and Local Enterprise Office and is funded by Leitrim County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland.

 

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