TRADE is a collaborative visual arts programme between Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils providing knowledge, resources and opportunities for visual artists to engage internationally. Rather than considering ‘rural’ as ‘isolationary’, TRADE emphasises that art is a global construct and encourages a freeflow of ideas and opportunities both for local artists to engage internationally as well as for international artists to participate locally.

Alongside the TRADE seminar, which will be held on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December, the European Cultural Contact Point (CCP) Ireland will host Focus on Funding for Culture – a day-long exploration of opportunities for activities within the Cultural sector to access EU funding on Thursday 1st December.

Along with current artist in residence, David Michalek, TRADE has invited Rafael López Borrego, Director of Programming of DA2 in Salamanca (Spain) and Dobrila Denegri, Director of Centre of Contemporary Art in Torún (Poland) to talk about their involvement with international residency programmes and the purpose and potential for facilitating international artist movement. TRADE has also invited Philip Napier whose recent exhibition at the Dock ‘Unpacking the Terror’ concerns itself with the social, political and economic implications of global trade and Audrey Reynolds whose work is often a reflection from elsewhere but as much concerned with distance in memory and time as it is with physical distance.

Throughout the weekend, artist and curator Linda Shevlin will coordinate a Resource Room where delegates can access publications, information and application details about opportunities for artists to engage internationally. The weekend is facilitated by Declan McGonagle; Belinda McKeon; Sarah Searson and Eilís Lavelle and coordinated by Alice Lyons and Philip Delamere.

Artists: €30, Members of organisations: €60. Fee includes lunch and dinner on Friday, and lunch on Saturday. There is no fee for ‘Focus on Funding for Culture’ and it is open to all interested individuals and organisations including those who may not be attending the TRADE Seminar but booking is essential.

TRADE is a partnership programme of Leitrim and Roscommon Arts Offices, supported by Roscommon and Leitrim County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland.