Big Look '44 The Quay' Mentoring Award 2021

Open to all applicants of the 2021 Artform Open Call exhibition

We are delighted to announce the opening of applications for the Big Look mentoring award in partnership with Artform School of Art.

The purpose of Big Look is to establish a dedicated online platform for the continuous development of visual artists with a focus on drawing and painting. This is an online mentoring award, with an optional on-site session hosted by Artform School of Art in Dunmore East. 

This award will subsidise one selected artist to join a group of mentees following a structured program with Gabhann Dunne, Ciara Roche and Maurice Quillinan.

Deadline for receipt of applications is 23:59 on 3rd September 2023

The following mentors will deliver the course content. Each mentor is a practicing artist with an established art career. The artists were selected to provide distinct but complementary perspectives.

Gabhann Dunne

Gabhann will show how to describe in language all forms of painting, and how to use this framework to reflect on your own work. In this module you will be part of a group that will explore :

  • Colour and composition as core values
  • Different systems of painting
  • How painters use these systems in their work


More about Gabhann

Ciara Roche

Ciara will work with you to reflect on your existing practice, get outside your comfort zone to stimulate the creation of new work. During the course, Ciara will help you:

  • Identify your strengths
  • Find ways to create work with limited time
  • Through feedback and group discussion
  • Put words on what you do and contextualise it


More about Ciara

Maurice Quillinan

In this module, Maurice will guide you through an end-to-end exercise of conceptualising an exhibition around a theme to be provided. This will provide a framework to explore:

  • Studio practice and time management
  • How to promote yourself and your work
  • How to engage with others in the art world
  • How to plan and execute for an exhibition


More about Maurice

Application process:

  • Applicants must fill out the online form through the link provided
  • No hard copy applications will be accepted
  • The online submission process is a live process and you will not be able to save progress. Applications must be completed in a single session. Therefore, please have the following answers prepared before you fill out the application form: 
    • How this course will advance your practice (max 200 words)
    • External influences that inform your art practice  
    • How you see your art practice developing in the next 5 years (max 200 words)
    • 3-5 examples of your own work not to exceed 10 MB per image
    • Current artist CV with list of artistic achievements to date

If you have any questions about the award that are not answered on this page, you will have the opportunity to add these to your application. We will do our best to respond to these questions in advance of the selection process.

Selection process:

Applicants will be shortlisted by the course provider Big Look course administrator and Artform programme director on the basis of:

  • The quality of information provided in the application form
  • Clarity in how the programme will help the applicant advance their existing practice
  • Ambition for developing artistically in the future
  • Suitability to benefit from all 3 modules
  • Availability to full participate in the course and assignments

The mentors delivering the modules will the choose one successful candidate from the shortlist through consensus and successful applicant will be notified.

Format and participation requirements

The programme will be split into 3 distinct modules, each delivered by a different mentor as follows: 

  • Gabhann Dunne
  • Maurice Quillinan
  • Ciara Roche

The 3 modules will run in parallel streams over the course of September - November.  

In order to be able to benefit from the programme, you should have the ability to dedicate up to 10 hours per week to the programme for project and assignment work. This includes a commitment to attend a 90-minute live session every week with the entire group.

Terms & Conditions

  • You must have applied for the Annual 44 The Quay open submission exhibition in 2021 and must have registered your interest to be notified of this award
  • Deadline for receipt of applications is 23:59 on 3rd September 2023
  • Canvasing of applicants to mentors/organisers of this scheme will result in disqualification
  • Funding provided under this award to be administered by Big Look in the provision of mentoring hours and is non-transferrable
  • The time commitment will be up to 10 hours per week and includes video calls, assignments and optional on-site sessions hosted by Artform School of Art
  • Successful applicant must have access to a laptop, desktop computer or tablet with a fast internet connection
  • Online mentoring will be conducted using Big Look online mentoring tools and Zoom or a similar video call solution 
  • Successful applicant will be assigned a free Big Look account 
  • Big Look accounts created in this way are  subject to the terms and privacy policy of Big Look and can be cancelled if desired at the end of the mentoring programme
  • Owing to GDPR considerations, your consent to this scheme, will allow for sharing of your contact details with the mentors and the Arts Office in relation solely to this scheme
  • Mentees will be required to fulfil any assigned work arising from the engagement with mentors over the period of the programme
  • Mentees will be required attend direct video calls or on-location sessions weekly. Video calls may be recorded or facilitated by Big Look
  • A pattern of non-attendance in agreed calls or failure to fulfill assignments, may result in balance of award being transferred to another shortlisted artist
  • Mentoring applications must be within the disciplines of painting and/or drawing only.
  • The decision of the selection panel of mentors will be final, no correspondence will be entered into regarding decisions.
  • Logistics in relation to participation will be communicated in a letter of offer
  • We reserve the right not to make an award at the discretion of the selection panel 

FAQ

  • What painting and drawing mediums will be supported through this award?

    Applications are open to artists working across all painting and drawing mediums. The mentoring will not be primarily focused on technique, but on helping artists evaluate their own practice and uncover opportunities to develop.

  • What art styles will be considered for this award?

    Artists working in any style or guided by any philosophy will be considered. The artist's work should be possible to position within contemporary art practice. We encourage you to check out the work and biographies of each of the participating mentors to get a sense of the range of expertise available within the scheme.

  • What technology is required to participate?

    To participate, you must have either a laptop, desktop computer or tablet with a fast internet speed. Your device must be relatively up to date and capable of running Zoom and other free software that may be required over the course of your mentoring. As much of this course is delivered online, we assume that you are computer and internet literate and comfortable with using technology to browse the web, make online purchases, take part in video calls, edit documents and have basic file management skills.

  • I would like to participate in just one of the modules. Can I still apply for the award?

    This award requires full participation in all 3 modules. You may participate in one or more modules by paying the standard unsubsidised fee.

  • What day and time each week will there by the live group session?

    There will be a live group session each week on Monday from 1pm - 2.30pm. To get the most value from this mentoring scheme, please ensure you have availability at this time.

  • I have a question about the scheme that has not been answered here, what can I do?

    Please address any additional questions you have about the scheme to [email protected] and we will get back to you with an answer.