ARC-LAB Gallery Curatorial Scholarship 2021 Recipient Announced
This award is unique in the context of curatorial education at postgraduate level. The ARC-LAB Scholar will work with the Curator of the LAB Gallery on programming and research into curatorial strategies and develop a self-initiated curatorial project at the LAB Gallery. The ARC-LAB Scholar is funded as a full-time student on the IADT MA in Art and Research Collaboration (ARC), which is an 18-month practical Masters programme taught in the LAB. The outcome of Shannon’s curatorial project will be presented in the LAB Gallery as part of the gallery’s public events programme in 2023.
The ARC-LAB Gallery Curatorial Scholarship award comprises a stipend of EUR15,000 and MA tuition fees of EUR6,000. The ARC-LAB Scholar will also be provided with a dedicated desk and research space in Dublin City Arts Office, mentorship and professional guidance from The LAB Gallery, and research supervision from IADT.
Speaking about the award, Shannon Carroll, ARC LAB Gallery Curatorial Scholar said: I am delighted to have been awarded the ARC-LAB Curatorial Scholarship, as it presents me with the opportunity to develop my practice in curation and to continue my research into environmental and sustainable art practices, whilst learning from the best in the field. I’m very excited to begin the ARC programme, where I can meet people in the industry, and learn to collaborate on ideas and projects, whilst gaining the opportunity to develop my own research. I am also look forwarding to working as part of the team at the LAB Gallery, where I hope to gain valuable insight into the everyday running of the gallery, the practical aspects of the role of a curator and bringing exhibitions and events to fruition. This is a wonderful opportunity and I can’t wait to get started!
ARC co-directors Dr Maeve Connolly and Sinead Hogan welcome the continuation of this important initiative, established in 2019. It builds upon the long-standing partnership between IADT and the LAB-DCC and represents a significant investment in postgraduate curatorial research. The scholarship is founded on respect for collaboration and institutional partnership, and it supports the development of new, critical and experimental perspectives in curatorial practice.
“We are delighted to be working with IADT to build on our long-term partnership in supporting emerging artists, writers and curators and nurturing visual arts in the City. This curatorial scholarship is unique in Dublin and allows us to provide a professional learning experience for a student who is developing research that will inform future public programmes, in Shannon’s case, particularly looking at climate action in our work.” Sheena Barrett, Curator of the LAB Gallery and Assistant Arts Officer Dublin City Council
“On behalf of the Department of Design and Visual Arts in IADT, I am delighted with this announcement of the new recipient of the ARC-LAB Curatorial Scholarship. This Scholarship is a partnership between the Art and Research Collaboration, ARC MA in IADT, and the LAB (Dublin City Arts Office). This is the second year of this project and a testament to the unique partnership between IADT and the LAB Gallery. The Curatorial Scholarship provides a postgraduate ARC MA scholar the opportunity to work with the LAB Gallery in the context of contemporary curatorial education, practices and programming. The recipient of this Curatorial Scholarship will be a full-time, fully funded student on the MA in Art and Research Collaboration at IADT which is an 18 month practical master’s programme taught in the LAB.” Dr Tina Kinsella, Head of Department of Design + Visual Arts, Faculty of Film, Art and Creative Technologies at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Shannon Carroll is an aspiring curator, researcher and art historian. She achieved her undergraduate degree in the History of Art & Architecture and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin, before completing a Master’s in UCD in Art History, Collections & Curation. Having grown up in the Dublin Mountains, Shannon developed a keen interest in the natural environment which has informed and shaped her research in the arts. In recent years she has combined her passion for both the visual arts and the environment and focused her research on exploring ecological art and sustainability in contemporary arts practices, with a specific focus on the arts in Ireland.
The LAB Gallery was established by Dublin City Council in 2005 and supports emerging artists and more established artists taking risks in their practice. The LAB is a municipal arts hub, housing gallery, rehearsal and incubation spaces for a range of art forms as part of Dublin City Council Arts Office, a developmental unit within Dublin City Council. The LAB is additionally supported by the Arts Council.
The Art and Research Collaboration (ARC) programme is a full time practical taught masters offered by Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT). The ARC programme is open to artists, critics, curators and those engaging with art in other roles. ARC students and graduates have developed projects exploring how art intersects with many different fields of enquiry, including archaeology, architecture, biology, computing, craft, dance, design, education, engineering, environmental science, fashion, fiction, history, geology, philosophy, publishing and theatre. ARC students can use project-based studios, art production facilities and technical training workshops on the main IADT campus. ARC students are encouraged to install and present their work in a variety of studio, rehearsal and gallery contexts. They also get professional development support to realise their Major Project, including advice on funding from public and private sources, fabrication, insurance and public liability.
