November '97
SESAM II - EUROPEAN PLACEMENT SEHEME SESAM is a scheme that was launched in France at the end of 1989 which opens up the way into Europe for youngsters coming from vocational training, particularly from apprenticeships.
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It aims to favour professional proficiency and promote the mobility of young European workers from the craft sector by setting up an enterprise network. More than a thousand youngsters from Germany, Belgium, Greece, Italy, France, Great Britain, Ireland and Spain have already participated in the SESAM scheme over the last six years of exchange. Since 1995, SESAM II lies within the frame work of the community action programme Leonardo, which favours the formation of a national correspondant's network for most of the countries within the European Union. The SESAM I I scheme aims to improve youngsters professional skills within the skilled crafts and SME sectors favouring their integration onto the European labour mar ket. The scheme is aimed at young Europeans between the ages of 18 and 27 who possess a first certificate of vocational training or proof of having acquired a first vocational experi ence lasting a minimum of one year. They must also have undergone preparatory lan guage training and some background cultural preparation for the country offering them placement. This takes two months on aver age. The Crafts Council of Ireland is the Irish facilitator for the scheme. Irish host compa nies, to date, have been exclusively involved in furniture restoration. They have been very pleased with the young craftspeople placed with them, and found that they have made a real contribution to the companies that have placed them. We would now like to widen the Irish experi ence to young European craftspeople and place Wood Carvers, Joiners and Goldsmiths from Germany. A host company normally offers a placement for an average of 8 months (min. 6 and max. 10 months). Anyone who is interested in participating in the SESAM II scheme or would like further information please contact Nuala McGrath at the Kilkenny office. Tel. 056-61804 or Fax. 056-63754.
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CRAFT SHOWS 1997 Following the limited response to Catherine Jordan's request for Craft Show listings, please find listed below, details for the THREE she received:
General Announcements
The Honey Show
Residential Art Centre in the Centre of
Craft Exhibition & Sale Christ Church Hall Rathgar Dublin 6 On: Saturday, 1st November 1997 From: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Europos Parkas, is the only Residency Centre
Ardmore Pottery & Craft Gallery
pline, and focuses on the exchange of artistic
Europe
in Lithuania, offering four-week long resi dencies, six times a year. The program is open to creative artists working in any disci
Annual Craft Fair Ardmore Co. Waterford On: Sat. 29th Nov. to 24th Dec. From: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm For further details please contact: Mary Lincoln on 024 94252
experience and acquaintance with the Lithuanian culture and traditions. While in Lithuania, the artists can develop an individ ual project that may include the creation of new work or pursuit of their individual artis tic goals, and we can organise opportunities to communicate with the local community
Craft Fair Fingal Arts Centre Rush Co. Dublin On: 2nd Sunday of every month From: 12.00 to 6.00 pm For further details please contact: 01-843 7567
and to visit studios of Lithuanian artists as well as museums and galleries. Slide presentations and discussions are organ ised during the program. The program is very flexible, our aim is to enable the artist to discover new ideas and inspirations. Artists are provided with good conditions of living, working, relaxing, good traditional
CRAFT & DESIGN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COURSE Subject to funding, the Crafts Council will be commencing the new Craft and Design Business Development Course at the Crescent Workshop, Castle Yard, Kilkenny in early 1998. All enquiries to Nuala McGrath, Training Administrator at 056-61804.
food served three times a day. A minibus is available for local transportation. The Residency Centre can accommodate up to 9 artists at a time, each of the six residency periods. Applicants are requested to send a completed application form along with a resume, and at