IMMA welcomes back The Mothership Project as part of a series of short studio research supports provided to the network over the last couple of years. The Mothership Project aims to support parenting artists in the development of their practice and to encourage arts organisations to make the art world a more inclusive place for artists with children. Since 2013 The Mothership Project has hosted workshops and discussions on issues facing parenting artists in Ireland. Having spent time in IMMA in May and June 2017, running events and hosting meetings, the Motherships next step was to apply for Arts Council funding for the The Satellite Project.
The Satellite Project has three phases: in spring 2018 The Mothership project conducted a survey to gather information on the experiences of parenting artists and arts workers in the visual arts in ireland.
In autumn 2018, in collaboration with Cow House Studios, and with funding from Wexford County Council Arts Office, The Mothership Project ran a pilot artists residency programme giving 15 parenting artists supported time and space to develop their practice. Most importantly the residency offered childcare, catering and accommodation on-site for the artists, their children and their partners.
The time spent at IMMA in early 2019 is focused on gathering the outcomes of both the survey and the artists residencies at Cow House Studios to produce a publication that highlights the findings of this research and pilot project.
Further Information: The Mothership Project