Activating Archive Residency 2025
Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company and the Irish World Academy at University of Limerick, invites applications from Ireland-based dance artists for the Activating Archive Residency, in partnership with the Irish Arts Center New York and Jacob’s Pillow Massachusetts. The residency, which will take place in October-November (US) and December (Ireland), is in association with the National Dance Archive of Ireland, Our Steps New York and The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
With the Irish World Academy, Luail has created a fully supported, multi-faceted residency opportunity for a dance artist to spend time immersed in various dance archives across multiple genres and in three impressive locations. The selected dance artist will be encouraged to engage with the materials for their own research purposes, or to work on developing a response – either choreographically or through further artistic documentation.
The opportunity includes:
- A one-week residency with the Jacob’s Pillow archive which includes on-campus accommodation and, subject to availability, studio space.
- A one-week residency with the Irish Arts Center which includes studio space to work and facilitated networking opportunities where required. Accommodation provided by Luail.
- Supported access to The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
- Supported access to Our Steps, Our Story: An Irish Dance Legacy Archive, housed at The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library.
- Supported access to the National Dance Archive of Ireland in Limerick as well as rehearsal space at the Irish World Academy.
- Artists’ fees, travel, accommodation and per diems all provided.
How to apply:
Please submit one pdf containing the following documents:
- A recent CV (no more than two pages).
- An artist’s statement (no more than one page).
- At least one but no more than three video links to relevant work or a recent sample of notation (no more than 10 pages). Large files should be sent via Google Drive or Dropbox.
- A short proposal (no more than one page), to include why you are interested in this residency. Consider the following in your answer:
– What interests you about the archival context of this residency and the three locations.
- Networking opportunities that you would seek while in New York if desired.
– Any further information the panel should know about your intentions for the residency.
– Details of any potential performance or public engagement activities proposed during your stay, if appropriate.
Deadline for submissions: Thursday 17th July 2025 by 5pm GMT.
You can download this opportunity in a .pdf format HERE.
All applications will be assessed by a panel and the selected artist will be notified on or by Friday 31st July. Please send applications via email – written document, video or voice note, by 5pm GMT on Thursday 17th July to: miranda.driscoll@luail.ie
(with the subject heading The Activating Archive Residency).
Applications will be accepted by email only. Applications that exceed or do not meet the required documentation will not be accepted. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
Please Note:
It is Luail’s intention to sustain and nurture our relationships with creative partners based in the US. Our values statement asserts that “Luail works to create a respectful, supportive and safe environment for our artists”. Luail will be led by this principle, and we are hopeful that artists can continue to undertake travel to the US from Ireland safely and comfortably, but note that details of this opportunity may be subject to change, due to circumstances beyond our control.
Appropriate visas / visa waivers will be discussed with the selected artist.
Timeline:
Flight Dublin to JFK Sunday 26th Oct
Travel NYC by train to Jacob’s Pillow Monday 27th October
Self-directed research at Jacob’s Pillow Monday 27th Oct to Saturday Nov 1st
Travel by train Jacob’s Pillow to NYC Sunday Nov 2nd
Self-directed research at The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and Irish Arts Center NYC Sunday Nov 2nd to Nov 9th
Flight NYC to Dublin Sunday Nov 9th (arrive Nov 10th am)
Travel to Limerick Monday 8th December
Self-directed research at the National Dance Archive of Ireland and the Irish World Academy, Limerick 8th – 19th December.
The partners:
About Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company
Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company was established in 2024 with funding from Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. This new company will provide an island-wide platform for dance, collaboration and development, seeking to strengthen the existing dance ecosystem, develop the artform and develop pathways for artists to create work of scale and ambition. Luail exists to embody, embed and empower dance across the island of Ireland, and to lead into a future that transforms how we make, know and experience it.
About Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University Limerick
The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is a centre of academic and performance excellence housed at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Founded in 1994 by Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, the Academy has a strong international presence, with over 50 countries represented by its current student body and alumni, alongside a faculty of excellent performers, academics and industry professionals. The National Dance Archive of Ireland (Cartlann Náisiúnta Damhsa na hÉireann) is housed in the Glucksman Library at the University of Limerick and works in partnership with Dance Research Forum Ireland, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and the Arts Council.
About Jacob’s Pillow
Jacob’s Pillow is lauded worldwide as a “hub and mecca of dancing” (TIME Magazine), “one of America’s most precious cultural assets” (Mikhail Baryshnikov), and “the dance center of the nation” (The New York Times). “The Pillow” is a treasured 220-acre National Historic Landmark based in the Berkshires in rural Western Massachusetts, and a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Arts, and home to America’s longest-running international dance festival.
The Jacob’s Pillow Archives document the history of Jacob’s Pillow and the artists who have contributed to its legacy, with particular emphasis on Ted Shawn, Ted Shawn’s Men Dancers, and the Denishawn Company.
About Irish Arts Center, New York
Irish Arts Center, founded in 1972 and based in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, is a home for artists and audiences of all backgrounds who share a passion or appreciation for the evolving arts and culture of contemporary Ireland and Irish America. IAC presents, develops, and celebrates work from established and emerging artists and cultural practitioners, providing audiences with emotionally and intellectually engaging experiences in an environment of Irish hospitality.
About The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library
The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library is the largest and most comprehensive archive in the world devoted to the documentation of dance. Chronicling the art of dance in all its forms, the Division acts as much more than a library. We preserve the history of dance by gathering diverse written, visual, and aural resources, and work to ensure the art form’s continuity through active documentation and educational programs.
About Our Steps
Founded by Jean Butler in 2018, Our Steps, is a not-for-profit organization that redefines the way we think about the history, practice and performance of Irish dance by creating innovative archival, publishing and multidisciplinary performance programs. Our Steps inaugural archival project, entitled Our Steps, Our Story; An Irish Dance Legacy Archive currently holds of over 200 hours of audio and video resources at The Jerome Robbins Division at The New York Public Library.
