Open Call for Artists in Residence at 14 Henrietta Street

Dublin City Council Culture Company is seeking to appoint two Artists in Residence at 14 Henrietta Street.

Deadline for submission of proposals is Monday 22 July 2024

About this open call:

14 Henrietta Street is a social history museum of Dublin life, from one building’s Georgian beginnings to its tenement times. We connect the history of urban life over 300 years to the stories of the people who called this place home.

14 Henrietta Street is owned and conserved by Dublin City Council, and run by Dublin City Council Culture Company.

Dublin City Council Culture Company runs cultural initiatives and buildings across the city with, and for, the people of Dublin. We create ways for people in Dublin to see and make culture together, based on their stories, wishes and experiences.

We are now seeking proposals from artists who wish to apply for one of two short term residencies at the museum at 14 Henrietta Street.

We are looking for creative and collaborative individuals who share in our belief of connecting people and communities through culture and conversation. We would like to hear from anyone who can demonstrate the necessary interest, skills, knowledge or experience as per the requirements detailed below. We encourage applications from individuals from varied and diverse backgrounds, experience, and artforms.

Timeline:

• Open call issued: Friday 21 June 2024
• Deadline for submission of proposals: Monday 22 July 2024
• Interviews for shortlisted candidates: Week beginning 12 August 2024
• Notification of outcome to applicants: 23 August 2024
• Issue of contracts: September 2024
• Commencement of contract for Residency #1 : September 2024
• Commencement of contract for Residency #2: February 2025

About 14 Henrietta Street

We protect, share and add to the cultural life of the city. We tell stories, make connections and uncover history.

14 Henrietta Street​ is not a museum in the traditional sense: it doesn’t exist just to capture a building in one period of time. It is a place that is living and breathing again after a long period of time lying dormant and derelict, a place that can now remember, evolve and create new memories for its visitors.

Our collection

The building itself is a major part of our collection; its careful and considered restoration suggests much of the building’s history. From the grand Georgian plasterwork throughout the building that sits in contrast to Reckitt’s Blue and Raddle Red paint colours that survive the stairwells, colours that are synonymous with Dublin tenements, the story of the building’s shifting fortunes are etched into its walls.

Alongside this, and equally important to the collection, are the oral histories that bring the building to life. In producing the museum experience, historians worked closely (and continue to do so) with former residents, ensuring the human stories are as prominent as the documented historical facts.

Our tours are deeply emotive for many who visit. It is not unusual for groups to join in with the childhood songs of the playroom, and impromptu singalongs have taken place at the piano in our replica of the flat of a former resident, Mrs Dowling.

This museum is as much about what the participants impart to us as what we impart to them. We actively encourage storytelling and questions from our visitors, allowing their memories and knowledge to further enrich the experience.

Read more about the importance of artist responses at the museum here.

About the Residency

We are seeking two artists to develop a creative response to 14 Henrietta Street. This could focus for example, on the building itself, our oral history collection, the museum artefacts, the visitor experience or the museum’s way of working. Previous artist responses and projects have included poetry, photography, theatre and music. We would particularly welcome applications which focus on the unique quality of the museum in how stories are told and gathered. Much of the existing artist responses focus on the tenement era of the house, so we would also welcome applications which include other periods within the 300 year history of the house.

The selected artists will develop new work during the residency, which may be permanent or temporary creative work for public presentation. This could include performance, publication, literary work, musical composition, visual artworks, or other artistic responses. The artworks may be made through co-creation with the museum team, visitors, or local communities; or it may be a solo work which is based on engagement and research. Other public engagement activities would be welcomed, such as workshops and talks.

Each residency will take place over approximately 30 days, from September to December 2024, or February to May 2025 respectively, with exact dates and times to be agreed with the selected artists (for example six-weeks full-time; part-time over three-months; blocks of time over three-months).

Hot desk space at 14 Henrietta Street will be made available for the duration of the residency, during our regular office opening hours of Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. Artists will have access to the collections and team expertise of the museum, alongside connections to local communities and previous residents of the house. It is important to note that 14 Henrietta Street operates as a museum and is open to the public for guided tours from Wednesday to Sunday. Any residency activities, including research within rooms which are part of the tour, will need to operate outside of these times.

The selected artists will be offered a Contract for Service with a fee of €6,000 to cover time spent working on the residency, including research, development, studio time, preparation, contact time and admin. The working pattern and programme of work will be agreed with the successful applicant. Additional funds may be allocated to cover the cost of materials and production, for performances, events, or the creation of artworks or other residency outputs, to be agreed with the Culture Company.

Artists based in Ireland, with a proven track record of working creatively and collaboratively, are eligible. Please note that this residency does not include accommodation, so it will best suit Dublin-based artists.

The residency is open to artists working in any medium. However please note that 14 Henrietta Street is a listed building with strict conservation measures in place. In order to protect the building we cannot affix anything to the walls, or use any wet or messy materials within the building. Collection items and artefacts cannot be moved and room capacities must be adhered to. There are uneven floors and the space is not suitable for circus rigging. Artists should take this into account when preparing their proposal.

Any new work created as part of the residency will remain copyright of the artist (or shared ownership with other authors of the work if it is a co-created piece); however a licence for unlimited non-commercial use must be granted to Dublin City Council Culture Company in perpetuity. The Culture Company will always credit the artist/author(s).

The selected artists will be asked to:

• Allocate time to research and understand the story of 14 Henrietta Street and the lives of the people who lived there over 300 years, including oral histories collected as part of our Your Tenement Memories programme.
• Engage positively with our team at 14 Henrietta Street, including our tour guides, front of house, engagement and creative engagement team, along with visitors to the museum, stakeholders and the wider company team.
• Develop a creative response / new work, which should be a final (permanent or temporary) creative work for public presentation, which will bring all elements of the residency together.
• Provide updates and reporting from the residency as directed as per templates and guidelines provided.
• Work in line with best practice and Dublin City Council Culture Company Child Protection, Data Protection, and Health and Safety policies and ensure compliance with all financial, contractual, legal procedures.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the most advantageous submissions in terms of the following award criteria:

• Submit a clear and concise application that includes all of the application requirements as laid out in this Open Call document.
• Have a high-quality and relevant artistic practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of, and interest in, the collections and programmes of 14 Henrietta Street,
• Demonstrate the ability to manage time and to complete a creative programme within a specified, limited time period and in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in an accessible and inclusive way and to communicate well.

Application requirements:

Applications are now invited from interested artists and must include the following:

• A cover letter - one A4 page maximum - outlining why you want this residency, and how your specific skills, knowledge and experience are relevant to the residency specification and required criteria as outlined in this notice.
• A proposal​ - one A4 page maximum.
  
  An outline of your initial ideas and a description of how you would approach the residency over 3 months, if successful. Please specify if you have a preference for either the September - December 2024 and/or February - April 2025 residency, or if you would be available for either.
• An up to date CV outlining relevant experience (two A4 pages maximum)
• Examples of previous work - this may be submitted in one of the following ways:

1. a link to an online portfolio and/or website(s) showcasing your work
2. links to video, audio or image files which form part of your body of work
3. samples of published creative writing such as poetry, prose or other works of fiction

 Please do not send image, audio or video files as email attachments with your application.

Applicants must submit one complete application, by email on or before midnight on Monday 22 July 2024 with the subject line: Proposal for Artist in Residence at 14 Henrietta Street.

Please send your email to opencall@dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie. Queries can also be addressed by email to this address.

The deadline for receipt of queries is Tuesday 16 July. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

The required application documents supplied in your application will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria set out in this notice. Dublin City Council Culture Company reserves the right to short-list applicants for interview. If interviews take place, they will be held during the week of 12 August 2024. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application at this time. Applicants attending interviews will be notified of the outcome no later than 23 August 2024. It will not be possible to provide application process feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Successful artists will be issued a contract for service to cover the residency period. The contract pack will include copies of our Child Protection, Data Protection, and Health and Safety policies, which all team members including Artists in Residence must adhere to. As a listed building, a mandatory Health and Safety induction must also be completed on site on commencement of the contract to ensure understanding of, and compliance with, building restrictions.

The contract value is €6,000 and will be paid in three instalments:

• Instalment one: €1,500 invoiced in week one of residency
• Instalment two: €2,000 invoiced at midway point of residency
• Instalment three: €2,500 invoiced on completion of residency and agreed deliverables

Exact invoice dates to be agreed with artists, in line with an agreed pattern of work. Payments listed are ex-VAT. No payments can be made without proof of tax clearance, along with VAT registration details if relevant.

Other Notes

Dublin City Council Culture Company is committed to developing policies and practices ensuring that accessibility, Universal Design and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities are taken into account when providing services for Dublin’s citizens, communities, cultural organisations, businesses and Dublin City Council itself.

Please note that the museum at 14 Henrietta Street is Part M access compliant, but the offices on the second and third floors of 14 Henrietta Street have limited physical access. Reasonable accommodation or access requirements will be made for successful applicants. Interviews will take place in an accessible location.

Garda vetting is mandatory for the successful applicant via the Culture Company, and you must be cleared by the National Vetting Bureau before the work can commence.

About Dublin City Council Culture Company

Dublin City Council Culture Company runs cultural initiatives and buildings across the city with, and for, the people of Dublin.

We collaborate with people, communities, cultural organisations, businesses, and Dublin City Council to embed cultural experiences and increase cultural participation throughout Dublin.

Dublin City Council Culture Company was incorporated in March 2018. Our vision is for a Dublin where culture connects everyone and everything. Our mission is to connect people through culture and conversation to ignite imaginations and experiences.

Find out more at dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie