Artist in Residence

Artist in Residence at Down Arts Centre

Artist: Kieron Black | Residency: January - March 2025

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are proud to support and celebrate artistic excellence through the Artist in Residence programme at Down Arts Centre. This initiative is a testament to the Council’s commitment to nurturing creativity and providing invaluable opportunities for artists to develop their practice.

The Artist in Residence programme is designed to embed artists within the local community, fostering engagement and participation in the arts. By supporting practicing artists, the Council aims to create an inclusive and thriving arts sector, ensuring that high-quality artistic experiences are accessible to all.

An Incredible Opportunity for Artists

The Artist in Residence programme recognises and rewards artistic excellence, offering selected artists the opportunity to hone their skills, develop new work, and contribute meaningfully to the cultural landscape of the district. This funding is unique in that it is dedicated to individual artists rather than groups or organisations, allowing for personal artistic growth and professional development across various disciplines, including visual arts, creative writing, and performing arts.

By providing essential financial support, the scheme enables artists to focus on their craft, experiment with new ideas, and engage with the public through workshops, exhibitions, and other interactive experiences. It is an important initiative for ensuring that artists have the resources they need to thrive and to make a lasting impact on the local creative scene.

Bringing Art to the Community

A key aspect of the Artist in Residence programme is community engagement. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are passionate about embedding the arts within the community, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds can participate in and benefit from creative experiences. Through public workshops, exhibitions, and school visits, the residency brings the arts closer to the people, encouraging dialogue, inspiration, and artistic exploration.

One such example took place at Down Arts Centre, where our our previous Artist in Residence, Kieron Black, facilitated a creative writing workshop for the students at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Strangford.

A Creative Writing Workshop with Kieron Black

The session kicked off with an engaging reading by Kieron, immediately capturing the students’ imaginations and setting the tone for a fun and interactive morning. The children were then treated to an exclusive tour of Kieron’s studio, where they gained insights into his creative process and the work that goes into developing artistic projects.

The highlight of the morning was a hands-on storytelling workshop, where the young participants had the chance to craft their own characters, plots, and narratives. Encouraging self-expression and creativity, the session allowed the students to explore the limitless possibilities of storytelling while building their confidence in their writing abilities.

Providing these kinds of opportunities for young people is invaluable. By sparking their imagination and introducing them to new ways of thinking, we empower the next generation to express themselves creatively and embrace the arts as a means of personal and collective storytelling.

The enthusiasm and energy of the students were truly inspiring, and it was a joy to witness their ideas take shape on the page. We extend our gratitude to St. Joseph’s Primary School for their participation and look forward to hosting more engaging workshops in the future.

Kieron Black on His Residency

“I was delighted to be offered the residency at Down Arts Centre, and was honoured to take it,” says Kieron of his new post. “The Centre is the beating creative heart of the town and it’s so inspiring to be there, immersed in the art of the district.”

“My residency was based on a children’s book that I had in production, just after the publication of The Goblin’s Blue Blanket in 2019, called The Troll in the Hole. The story was one of empathy, tolerance, and understanding, and I based all the workshops I am running as part of the residency on these themes.

I have three creative writing workshops on ‘the menu’ and am also offering storytelling and illustration guidance, as well as the common or garden art lessons, and I’m delighted to say take-up has been fantastic, with the themes of all workshops appealing equally to children, adults, refugees, asylum seekers, special needs groups, LGBTQ+ and basically anyone who gets in touch to book a session.

I feel it is a special privilege to be able to offer someone the space in which to be inspired, which is basically what an Arts Centre is all about.”

Supporting the Arts in Newry, Mourne and Down

Through initiatives like the Artist in Residence programme and the Arts Grants to Individual Artists Scheme, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council continues to champion the arts, fostering a vibrant and dynamic cultural environment.

For artists interested in applying for funding, the eligibility criteria require applicants to be residents within the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area, practicing artists aged 18 and over, with a demonstrated record of professional artistic practice. The grant aims to support the development of individual artists, helping them achieve their creative goals while enriching the cultural fabric of the district.

For more information on arts funding opportunities and upcoming events, please contact Down Arts Centre at downartscentre@nmandd.org.

Stay tuned for more updates on our Artist in Residence and upcoming creative projects at Down Arts Centre 2025-26!