Apply Now: Art and Ecology Mentoring Programme (Ireland)

The Kildare County Council Arts Service and Kildare County Childcare Committee, in partnership with Soil Studio, invite Expressions of Interest from professional artists for the Kildare Art & Ecology Artist Mentoring Programme. This mentoring opportunity is designed for artists interested in developing arts and nature work with babies and toddlers aged 0–24 months. The EOI closes on 21 October 2026 at 12:00pm. This programme is a next phase of Kildare Arts Service’s Art & Ecology work for babies, toddlers and young children aged 0–3 years and their childminders, delivered in Athy in 2024. The programme aims to support a “community of practice” through peer learning and an atmosphere of “unhurried time”, enabling participating artists to learn alongside one another and share practice. Selected artists will be mentored by Jackie Maguire and Trisha MacLaughlin of Soil Studio, through a programme of in-person and online sessions from November 2026 to April 2027. The source states the following benefits for participating artists:

Not specified in the source: Any grant or cash award beyond travel expenses, any per-diem support, or fee structures for participation.

Shortlisted candidates must meet all of the eligibility requirements below:

Not specified in the source: Whether there are any exclusions (e.g., prior participation limits) or whether organisations (rather than individuals) can apply.

Mentoring sessions will explore the following themes and practice areas: In addition, artists are expected to engage in an artist sharing with babies and/or toddlers in childminding and early childhood settings in the county, enabling learning to be put into practice. This programme supports artists who want to build professional practice at the intersection of early childhood arts and ecology/nature, specifically for babies and toddlers aged 0–24 months. It also includes structured peer learning, mentoring (group and 1:1), and placements arranged by partner organisations to help artists apply what they learn in real early childhood contexts.

Official application page: Art & Ecology Mentoring Programme Expression of Interest on Submit.com

Not specified in the source: Required documents, format of submissions, or whether accounts are required beyond the platform prompts shown.

What is the deadline for this Expression of Interest? The EOI closes on 21 October 2026 at 12:00pm (time zone not specified in the source). Who can apply for the Kildare Art & Ecology Artist Mentoring Programme? Professional artists (emerging, mid-career, or established) who are based in and/or practicing in County Kildare and can attend all required sessions. Do I have to have experience working with babies and toddlers? It is stated that having an interest in working with babies and toddlers and their educators is not obligatory, but shortlisted artists must meet the other availability and eligibility requirements. What sessions are included in the programme? The programme includes three in-person group artist mentoring sessions, three online group workshops (including one scheduled 11 November 2026, 7pm–9pm), a final online 1:1 session during week commencing 26 April 2027, and placements in childminding/early childhood settings. What are the in-person mentoring dates?

The in-person sessions are scheduled for:

(Locations are TBC in the source.) Is travel support provided? Yes. Participating artists receive travel expenses to attend 3 in-person sessions (€60), and lunch is provided at each in-person mentoring day. How are the early childhood placements organised? The source states that Kildare County Childcare Committee and Kildare Arts Service will coordinate each placement, scheduled for 1 day/artist between 22 February and 12 March 2027. If you are a professional artist based in and/or practising in County Kildare and you can commit to the in-person and online schedule between November 2026 and April 2027, review the official EOI guidelines on the Submit.com page and complete your application by 21 October 2026 at 12:00pm. For more information, visit Kildare County Council Arts Service.