What is JumpStart?
A nationwide two-year residency offering an artistic and sectoral mentoring programme for emerging aerial artists.
PRIORITIES & AIMS
The priority for JumpStart 26/27 will be to facilitate the selected artist to develop their artistic thought/creative process, physical technique, grant writing and professional networks. JumpStart aims to build confidence in the selected artist and develop a practical support network between programmers and artists while providing artistic mentoring and development.
WHAT DOES JUMPSTART INVOLVE?
The successful artist will receive
- A stipend of €3,500 in Year One to cover your fees, travel and per diem
- All accommodation from 8-18 July 2026 and during the IACC residency
- Free tickets to all shows and events at Cairde and Earagail Arts Festivals
- Free one-week pass at the Irish Aerial Dance Festival
- One-week mentoring with Chantal McCormick during your residency at the IACC
TIMELINE
Year 1: Go-see, training and mentoring
The artist will be invited to join the professional programme with international guests and arts workers at:
- Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, 8-10 July 2026
- Earagail Arts Festival, 11-13 July 2026
- 1 Week intensive aerial dance training at Irish Aerial Dance Festival, 13-18th July 2026
In addition, the artist will receive one week mentoring at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre with Chantal McCormick on either 28 September–2 October 2026 or 9-13 November 2026. The artist will also receive support towards preparing funding applications for the creation of a new work.
Year 2: The partnering Festivals will provide the selected artist with a platform to showcase a work in progress during Summer 2027.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We are seeking to support artists who are:
- Current members of the ISACS Network and Irish-based
- Have created and performed at least 1 short aerial work to date
- Identify as being part of a minority or disadvantaged group
HOW TO APPLY
The deadline for applications is Monday, 16 February 2026.
CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM
JumpStart is a joint initiative between the ISACS Network, Earagail Arts Festival, Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, and Fidget Feet – Irish Aerial Dance Festival, and is supported by The Arts Council of Ireland.
ABOUT ISACS
The Irish Street Art, Circus and Spectacle Network – ISACS – is Ireland’s leading support and advocacy organisation for the development of street arts, circus and spectacle art forms. We believe strongly in the value and importance of these art forms, and use every opportunity to shout from the rooftops about our members and their work.
We were formed as a voluntary organisation in late 2010 with the aim of creating an umbrella organisation for these art forms to represent, raise the profile and provide a united voice for this emerging, exciting, developing and growing sector.
Photo Credit (TOP): Lindsey Butcher
