ISACS Annual Report 2022

1st January - 31st December 2022

Annual Report2022

ISACS network celebrates, advocates, grows and sustains these artforms collectively.

Chairperson’s Welcome A Chairde,

I started participating as a member of ISACS in 2014, as an artist with a background and interest in collective action, before volunteering to sit on the board and contributing towards the future direction of the organisation.

I believe ISACS is the place where those of us who create work in these art forms that are often outside of traditional settings and institutions can co-operate, giving us more power to make our own lives better, as well as working together to give the public more access to vital culture and art. It is important to remember that an organisation like ISACS' strength comes not only from the abilities and talent of the staff, but also how large, engaged and active the membership is in the organisation.

It has been exciting to see how ISACS has grown this year, with membership and engagement continuing to increase, a doubling of the team, an expansion of the residency programmes, a renewal of our international connections and several national programmes commencing, including a new partnership with Creative Ireland.

We are at a critical moment where engagement and interest in our art continues to expand and we can all play a role in creating an industry where we support each other’s growth, development, visibility and success.

I cannot end without recognising the work of the previous chair Miriam Dunne. Myself and the entire ISACS Network continue to be grateful for all of her leadership. I’d also like to thank the core team of 2022: Lucy, Helen, Cristina, and Amanda; as well as the entire board for everything they do.

I wish all of you the very best for the coming year.

Jonah McGreevy Chairperson

Director Statement 2022

A new renaissance

In 2022, we turned a corner. The ISACS Network stepped forward with a new purpose, a sense of presence and a plan to deliver. It only took a global pandemic but there it was, art which takes place beyond the establishment is valid, visible, relevant and most impressively- is important.

This new sense of legitimacy is articulated in some of the comments the ISACS members have made around the work that we are doing as a collective, and is particularly moving when framed with in the concept of democracy and the space of who art is for and where it takes place.

These artforms, which seek to reframe the boundaries and structures of how art shapes the wider world, are growing. That concept is seeping through into more territories and is perhaps more necessary than ever, as we swing in increasingly polarised divides. Through our eyes however, we increasingly notice the blurring of lines and that grey area becoming more and more vibrant. Dance mixing with circus and theatre blurring onto the street, creating new forms which purposefully seek to alter, transform and move away from rigid definitions creating a whole new creative language.

With the launch of ISACS four-year strategic plan in March 2022, we focussed our efforts largely on growing and building a strong, healthy and informed ISACS team. Our mission - to ensure that a strong coherent knowledge base from which all decisions and actions are based is in place, ensuring that the legacy of all that has been achieved continues forward and flourishes.

We were delighted to step out beyond our front doors once more, traveling all over Ireland and attending festivals, performances and meetings with international colleagues in Portugal, Lithuania, Wales and Catalonia. Being back on the road was liberating and energising, just as hosting international colleagues in Ireland was also a joy. Together witnessing all the incredible artwork that continued to be created despite a global shutdown.

Being together and being connected felt all the sweeter and these artforms feel like they are on the cusp! Like a rebirth, a renaissance!

Lucy Medlycott Director

Our Vision

To be a leading example of an artist first members network which supports and grows the street, circus and spectacle artforms of Ireland.

Our Mission

Our mission is to celebrate our artforms, advocate for the policy and practical changes that will allow our artforms to flourish, grow our membership and sustain our organisation.

Our Values underpin and inform our work: Care

We value nurturing relationships, supporting our membership across a range of issues and strive for a genuinely inclusive community which connects and cares for each other and the development of the artforms.

Ambition

We laud ambitious actions and thinking, growing determined, proud, confident and resilient behaviour across and between our membership.

Encouragement

We endeavour to encourage and empower our members in their journeys, their professional development and their creativity.

Integrity

We are honest, trustworthy, and open with our members, our board, our team, our partners, and our funders/stakeholders. We use our resources well, consider all viewpoints, offer solutions where we can and act with integrity.

Strategic Goals

Celebrate our Artforms sharing the history, value, and potential of our work Advocate for the policy and practical changes that will enable a flourishing Street Art, Spectacle and Circus sector to thrive in Ireland

Grow our support to ISACS members to enhance their capacity to deliver high quality work and to sustain their livelihoods Sustain our organisation through increased and diversified funding and enhanced human capacity.

Who we are:

Location map of our members in 2022

“ISACS offers a map of the territory of being a performer, and various guides to navigate that map. It also offers me the opportunity to show the territory I have experience with, and to guide others in those areas too.”

Individual/organisations with youth circus activity

Individual/organisation which are based in Ireland and Internationally

Bui Bolg

Bumble Movement Arts

41 Organisations 198 Individuals 239 Total

AaeroFisher

AcroAer (Youth Circus)

Aidan Phelan

Aine Farrell

Aisling Ni Cheallaigh

Alain Servant

Alchemy Arts

Ali Clarke

Alison Martin

Amanda Usher

Amélie Bal

Ana Hassett Performing Arts Consul-

tancy

Andrew Loretto (UK)

Angelica Santander

Anita Woods (NI)

Anja Nicholson

Anne Ilic

Aoibhinn O'Dea

Aoife Kavanagh

Aoife Raleigh

Ashton (NI)

Barry Cahill

Baubo

Beanie and Fifi (Youth Circus)

Best In Fest

Beth Darragh (NI)

Bill & Fred Productions (Switzerland)

Birr Vintage Week Arts Festival

Blackbird Cultur-Lab

Bloco Gorman

Blue Hanley

Bonnie Boux

Breaked (Belgium)

Brenda Long

Brendan Fahy

Brian Daly Magician

Bridget NI Dhuinn

Broken Theatre Promotions

Bugsy Devine

Caitríona Ní Threasaigh

Cal The Musical (Netherlands)

Caoimhe Dunn

Carley Justin

Caro Hangs

CB Dancing Art

Center Park Road

Charlotte Bruce

Chloe Cummins

Chloé De Buyl-Pisco

Chrissie Ardill

Christina Offutt

Christopher McAuley (NI)

Cian Booth

Ciara Grey

Ciara Moloughney

Cikada Circus (NI)

CircFitness

Circo Coranco

Circus 250

Circus Factory Cork (Youth Circus)

Circus Fergus

Circus Gerbola

Circusful (NI) (Youth Circus)

Claire Carroll

Claire Higgins

Claire McKervey (NI)

Claire Sheehan

Cloughjordan Circus (Youth Circus)

Clowns Without Borders Ireland (Youth Circus)

Colm Chan

Colm Gallagher

Cork Community Art Link

Cork Puppetry Company

Courtneys Daredevil Circus

Curious State

Damien Punch

Danae Wollen

Dee Grant SETU Waterford

Doulab for Circus and Dance (Palestine) (Youth Circus)

Dublin Circus Project (Youth Circus)

Dublin Fringe Festival

Duo Les mains en l'Air (Catalonia)

Edaein Samuels

Eilis Carey

Eimear Ní Mhaoldomnaigh

Elisa Gallo Rosso

Emily Aoibheann

Emmen Jude Donnelly (NI)

Eoin O hAnnrachain

Faerialist (NI)

Fancy Dan Music

Fanzini Productions

Femme Bizzare

Fi Hull (NI)

Fiachra Lynam

Fidget Feet Aerial Dance (Youth Circus)

Finn Carragher (NI)

Foxy P. Cox

Fuinneamh Drum

Funky Fi

Funtastics Gymnastics

Gabriel Goncalves

Gabriel Santander

Galway Buskers Society

Galway Community Circus (Youth Circus)

Gilly Bean

Giuliano Roman

Gliondor Arts Athenry (Youth Circus)

Goldiefish Events

Gracie Marshall

Grant Goldie (NI)

Hands Down Circus (NI)

Hannah Gumbrielle

Hannah Ryan

Hannah Scully

Hannes Jung

Headonbody

Helen Keenan

Hernan González

Hillas Smith (NI)

Hoopixie

In Your Space Circus (Youth Circus)

Inza Nic Canna

Irish Aerial Creation Centre (Youth Circus)

Irish Aerial Dance Festival

Jack Wise

Jacob Anderson

Jade O'Connor

Jake Fairbrother

Jennifer deBrun

Jenny Tufts

Jessica Doolin

Jonathan Walsh

Jordan Walshe

Judy Salloum (Lebanon)

Juley-Ann Collins

Julie-Rose McCormick

Kadira Theatre

Kate Connor

Kate Dunne

Kate Finegan

Kate O'Driscoll

Kathleen Doherty

Kathryn Mitchell

Kim Mc Cafferty

Kristyn Fontanella

Kyra Barry

Laura Connolly

Laura Ivers

Laura Murphy Dance

Leah McV

Liam McGlinchey

Lidija Sola (Croatia)

Linda Cullen

Lisa Carley

Logy on Fire (NI)

Loosysmokes

Lords of Strut

Lumen Street Theatre

LUXe

Lysette Golden

Macha Shewolf

Macnas

Maiya Powell (NI)

Malachy Kelly

Maleta

Maria Tivnan

Marie Kelly

Marion Wyatt

Mark Carry

Mary Aherne

Master Synge

Melinda Csapo

Melisande Souef

Michael Jude O'Neill

Miquel Barcelo

Michelle Thoburn (NI)

Missy Fortune

Molly O'Brien

Monika Palova (Slovakia)

Moss Russell

Naomhan McKeon Joyce

Natasha Bourke

National Circus Festival of Ireland

Nicola Moran

Nora Kelly Lester

Oldtime Strongman Historian

Oliver McGowan

Oran Leong

Orlagh De Bhaldraithe

Orlaith Carr Ní Chearra

Outdoor Arts UK (UK)

Pearse Stokes

Peter Moran

Polina Shapkina

Promenade

Rachel Ní Bhraonain

ReenyRooRaz (UK)

Riuchi

Rob Heaslip (UK)

ROGU

Ronan Brady

Ronan McLoughlin

Ruairi OShea

Sadbh Grehan

Saoirse Whelan

Sarah Lou Kinneen

Sasha Krohn

Sean Mcilraith

Seve Feathers

Shay Quinn

Sirius Aerial Performance

Snatch Circus (NI)

Sophia Bikova

Spraoi

Squarehead Productions (Germany)

Susie McDonagh

Taking Flight Education & Performance (Youth Circus)

Teatime Company (Netherlands)

The Dirty Circus

The Fairy and the Fiddler

The Growery

The Irish National Clown Orchestra of Ireland

Tom Duffys Circus

Tom Meskell

Tornaido

Tracie-Jade Harvey

Tribe Fitness Dance Studio

Tumble Circus (NI)

Turas Theatre Collective

Twisted Lane Productions

Vanessa Earl

Vicki Davis

Vivian Brodie

Wobbly Circus

Yeray J. Morillas Belmonte

Zara McAuley

ISACS Data 2022

The top three reasons for being a member of ISACS are:

1. To be part of a community of like minded people and organisations

2 . To avail oftraining, advice and guidance

3. Networking and peer support opportunities.

96% of surveyed members say they would recommend ISACS membership to others

Average earnings in the sector are significantly below the national average of €46,813 for 2022 (source: CSO).

This data is drawn from a sample survey in which 32% of ISACS 2022 membership participated.

Overview of Programme of Activities 2022

Celebrate

ISACS shared and celebrated street, circus and spectacle through the following actions highlighting and raising the profile of these collective artforms.

Public Engagement

‘Where Dance meets Street’ - We were thrilled to partner with SpringMoves Dance Festival, the National Opera House and Dance Ireland to offer a masterclass in juggling and dance with world renowned juggler Sean Gandini and ballet dancer Alexander Whitley, supported by Wexford County Council.

1 Session 12 Participants

2 Artists employed

Circus Explored - ISACS delivered a Youth/Social Circus project supported by Creative Ireland as strategic partners in Cruinniú na nÓg with four leading Youth Circus partners - Cloughjordan Circus Club, Circus Factory-Cork, Dublin Circus Project and Galway Community Circus. This project saw the delivery of 5000 juggling balls to every county in Ireland through the local library network, as well as the creation of Youth led juggling tutorials and more.

4 Juggling tutorials

4 Youth circus partners and almost 2000 people registered to collect balls

Circus Education: Creativity and Inclusion in Learning Conference - Led by Galway Community Circus and in partnership with the University of Galway Drama and Theatre Studies and ISACS, we delivered a two-day conference focusing on the future development of circus education in Ireland as a tool for creativity, inclusion and social change.

The conference featured practical workshops and thought-provoking discussions across a range of topics including global perspectives on circus education, inclusive practices and youth-led participation in youth circus, fostering creativity and self-determination, trust and community building and future-perspectives for circus education in Ireland.

3 Partners

83 Participants

17 Artists employed

StreetTalk: A Roundtable - Together with Spraoi we hosted over 30 delegates for an international roundtable discussion between artists, programmers, festival producers and the wider public, facilitated by Mike Ribalta of Fira Tarrega.

3O+ Attendees

SHARE: An Open Forum - The SHARE open forum took place in the frame of the National Circus Festival of Ireland. Artists, guests and participants took the floor to share their work, ideas, challenges, invitations, research and more.

50 Participants

12 Contributors

“Hearing about the roots of circus versus the goals of social and youth circus today brought great clarity to me.”

“I had a great time networking and meeting new people with academic practices and learning more about that sector”

“I particularly enjoyed StreetTalk because of the open invitation for everyone to share their thoughts and for the respectful discussion that was had..”

Advocate

ISACS continued to advocate for the policy and practical changes that will allow our artforms to flourish through the following means:

Plans, Reports, Submissions and Campaigns

ISACS participated and contributed to many consultation groups, policy discussion papers, studies, surveys, roundtables etc.

The following is a list of some of the subsequent submissions and our primary focuses in 2022:

• ISACS Strategic Plan 2022 - 2025 launched by Maureen Kennelly at the Goethe Institut

• Pre-Budget Submission September 2022

• Equality and Diversity Report

• Insurance Reform Campaign

• Circus Archive highlight

• Access to education for Travelling Circus families highlight

• Outdoor Public Space Programme contribution.

NB: Traditional Travelling Circus & Funfairs are now included in Ireland’s Living Cultural Heritage Inventory in line with the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).

Representation - The ISACS team promoted the work of  over two hundred artists online and offline, attended countless digital national and international events, festivals and conferences promoting the Irish sector.

We attended and represented at the following events among others, by way of example:

• Theatre Forum Open Space

• Circus Infrastructure Research with Arts Council

• Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce Conference.

“ISACS is a community of serious circus people interested in developing and growing our still-emerging new circus scene.”

ISACS continued to invest in the delivery of high-quality professional training, artistic development and building national and international connections for ISACS members, executive and board members.

Delivered 79 Letters of Support and 70 one to ones

Professional Development - Members

Training programmes held for members:

• Unfold Your True Potential & Artistic Leadership with Susanne Danig & Chantal McCormick

• Project Award Funding Clinic - Top Tips from ISACS Artists Mark Hill &Aoife Raleigh

• Health & Safety with Debbie Wright (Turas Theatre Collective)

• International Artistic Partnerships with Stephane Segreto-Aguilar

• Balancing the Books - Finance and Accounting with Peter Daly

• Health & Safety with Peter Jordan (Slua)

• Storytelling and Social Media with Cristina Ciampaglione

• Pitching Projects & Events with Michelle Reid (Business to Arts)

• Insurance Info Session with Jonah McGreevy

• Arts Council Ireland's New EDI Toolkit with Hannah Gordis

• Production Skills with Rose-Ann Kidney

• The Role of Local Authority Arts Departments with Liz Burns, Michelle Carew & Caoimhe Dunn.

TOTAL participants 165

“During my Hot Desk it was really motivating to spend the time focusing on the future of my show and strategising with the ISACS team about how to make it happen.”

Professional Development - Staff & Board

• Social Media Training with LEO Wexford

• ENCLUDE Salesforce training

• Children First | Tusla training

• Chair/CEO Training with The Wheel

• GDPR Training with The Wheel

• Safe to Create Training

• RAISE Up Training with OKC Consulting & Arts Council of Ireland

• Boardmatch Training

• Finance Training with Springboard and Technology University of the Shannon

Hot Desks - ISACS offer a hot desk and access to a library of resources in the Wexford HQ for artists. We provide a limited number of bursaries towards travel expenses for those in need.

In 2022 the following artists were hosted via Hot Desk:

• Danielle Fortune

• Hands Down Circus

• Hannah Scully

• Charlotte Bruce

• Emer Greenford

• Michelle Thoburn.

“All of the workshops and training I have attended have been terrific. The information in them was always excellent and the speakers were well-chosen.”

ISACS Library - ISACS continued to grow an artform specific library of books and resources with the support of Wexford County Council. This library is available to all ISACS members to peruse.

Information and Resources - ISACS is a central point of information for our members and other stakeholders working in the sector through ISACS Website which shares:

• Up to date listings for jobs, funding, training, residencies, commissions & more

• Members directory

• Event listings

• Industry specific resources

• Social Media - Twitter, Instagram, Linked in, Facebook & now TikTok profiles highlighting events, work and profiles of ISACS members specifically, as well as sharing information relevant to the development of the sector privately and publicly

• E-Newsletter reaching a total of 891 general public subscribers35 issues in 2022

• Internal communication of specific sector opportunities, resources, news and events to ISACS members via Newsletter, private Facebook group, Text and members space on our website.

DELVE

This Go see programme invites artists to come to a festival, see lots of work, meet artists, producers, programmers and make connections. This year we were thrilled to support 4 DELVE programmes.

DELVE offers accommodation, transport, free tickets, meals, introductions and more. It is run via an open call. The following artists participated in 2022:

Galway International Arts Festival

• Aoibhinn O’Dea

• Lysette Golden

Waterford Spraoi

• Oran Leong

• Ashton

Pitch’d Circus Festival

• Aoife Kavanagh

• Noelle Killius

• Charlotte Bruce

National Circus Festival of Ireland

• Moss Russell • Bethy Darragh.

“Because of DELVE, I've had the time to witness and appreciate a variety of disciplines within these sectors which have in turn informed my own multidisciplinary practice. Having post-show conversations with the other ISACS delegates about what we all saw further stimulated my brain in that real nerdy artist sense that makes you challenge your own practice and approach to art.”

Artistic Development

Aras Eanna Arts Residency - Delivered month long artists residency on Inis Oirr with artists Darragh Mc Loughlin, Sophia Kurmann and their young child Loki in partnership with Áras Eanna Arts Centre, Inis Oirr. This residency resulted in a new body of visual artwork called Histories of Falling Objects which was displayed in the Áras Eanna for several months.

JumpStart - A two year artistic residency programme for aerial dancers in partnership with Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, Earagail Arts Festival and the Irish Aerial Dance Festival. The selected artist for 21/22 was Polina Shapkina.

Artists Bursaries – Offered support bursaries towards the following programmes:

• Strada - a journey into street art creation with Adrian Schvarzstein in partnership with National Circus Festival of Ireland and Earagail Arts – selected artists Ashton & Vicki Davis

• Spasa – a two week international programme discovering street art creation in the frame of Fira Tarrega, Catalonia and led by Cruma - selected artist Emer Greenford

• A masterclass in clown and physical theatre with Jos Houben of Theatre de Complicite facilitated by Brian Daly - selected artist Colm Chan.

Lift - An artistic residency for solo/duo artists who wish to make work for touring to small rural theatres in partnership with Wexford Arts Centre and supported by Wexford County Council. The successful artists for 2022 were Nora Kelly Lester and Ruth Lehane.

PITCH - Artists pitch training programme supported by Culture Ireland in association with Garter Lane Arts Centre, in the frame of Spraoi Presenting artists: Caoimhe Dunn, Fanzinis, Síolta Circus, Tom Campbell.

Art-Illa - Delivered an artistic residency and exchange programme between the Balearic Islands and Ireland supported by the Arts Council International Residency Initiative Scheme.

• Selected artists: Jude Penders, Gill Byrne, Rosa Forteza & Alejandro Navaro

• Mentors: Enric Ases & Aoife Carry.

NEST - New Emerging Street Talent – an artists residency programme led by Waterford Spraoi in association with ISACS. This year Spraoi selected ISACS artists Hands Down Circus who were mentored by Raymond Keane.

“I had a very positive experience in Inis Óirr. I was able to achieve all of the goals I set out to do, and left with the feeling of growth and contentment.”

International Connections

Circostrada – ISACS is a committed member to the European Network for Contemporary Circus and Outdoor Arts. Through Circostrada we contribute widely to EU research, policy and development of these art forms across Europe and beyond.

Outdoor Arts UK – ISACS has built a strong relationship with our colleagues in the UK and together we regularly exchange information and resources of mutual interest between us.

Fira Tarrega – This is Europe's leading international street arts market and festival. ISACS maintains a presence at this event annually through the use of a trade stand, a presentation of artists, a showcase of an Irish company and networking, with the support of Culture Ireland. This year’s showcase artists were Hands Down Circus. The total delegation of Irish artists in attendance was 21 .

Circaire - Building a relation through Fira Tarrega and the Circaire festival. This partnership saw the development of an Irish/Balearic artist exchange programme in 2022 - Art-Illa.

Four Nations – participated in a partnership programme with Surge Scotland, Out There Arts Festival, Out There Arts UK, Articulture Wales and Waterford Spraoi, attending and presenting at Greenman Festival Wales.

Baltic/Nordic Circus Platform – Supported the selection process for the international circus mentoring programme Baltic Circus on the Road with Riga Circus and attended Cirkulicija in June 22. Artists at Risk Network - Hosted a Ukrainian artistElena Astaseva from April to October in Wexford

Erasmus Plus - Hosted two French arts workers from Scopie at NCFI.

Bounce - Participated as an international mentor through the Circostrada Bounce programme with artist/producer Guillem Fusfa.

Imaginarius - Participated as an artistic judge at the Imaginarius Festival, Portugal with ISACS artist Helen Keenan.

Culture Ireland. We have already received multiple international bookings for next summer in; UK, Spain, Sweden and Croatia. The ISACS team did an amazing job of allowing us to make introductions to multiple programmers from across Europe and even further afield!” - Hands Down Circus

ISACS

“Being part of the on-program for FiraTarrega was an absolute treat, and would not have happened if not by the ever forward-thinking

and

See Here Programme:

Invited the following international guests to join us in Ireland with the support of Culture Ireland

• Guests at Spraoi: Mike Ribalta of Fira Tarrega (ES), Simon Tubb of Oerol Festival (NL), Andrew Loretto of Winchester Hat Fair (UK), Sjoerd Feitsma of Platform ACCT (NL)

• Guests at NCFI: Dagmara Gumkowska of Open the Door Festival (Poland), Haggis McLeod of Glastonbury Arts & Music Festival (UK), Geo Kalev of Mini Art Foundation (Bulgaria), Tia Jorda of Circaire (Balearic Islands)

Sustain

ISACS built robust policies and procedures over 2022 including the further development of a new CRM system for gathering data and recording information. We supported the training, development and wellbeing of our core staff to meet the growing demands on ISACS. Throughout the year, we met and provided a range of advice, information, contacts and introductions, including undertaking 70 bespoke one-to-one meetings with artists and partners.

We provided 79 letters of support (LOS), including endorsements, testimonials and references. We entered into 25 national & 19 International partnerships in support of local, national and international projects. In addition to being a first point of contact for a range of national and international public and professional enquiries about street arts, circus and spectacle in Ireland, by email, telephone and in person.

Partners : We grew and strengthened our partners and networks nationally and internationally with the following:

National Partners: Aras Eanna Arts Centre, Arts Council of Ireland, Cairde Arts Festival, Carlow Arts Festival, Cork City Council, Creative Ireland, Cruinniú na nÓg, Culture Ireland, Dance Ireland, Earagail Arts Festival, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Irish Aerial Dance Festival, National Circus Festival of Ireland, National Opera House, Performance Corporation, Spraoi, Spring Moves Dance Festival, Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford County Council.

International Partners: Articulture Wales, Circaire, Circostrada, Fira Tarrega, IETM, Intitut d’Estudis Balearics, Outdoor Arts UK, Surge Scotland.

“Good to know I am part of something. I feel part of a community. I know I can reach out to people for support if I need it.”

Governance

The Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network is a Not for Profit, Company Limited by Guarantee, and a registered Charity.

It is governed by a Non-executive Voluntary Board of Directors with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 directors at one time. There is a one third rotation annually of the longest serving board members at the AGM.

The Board’s functions are overseeing strategy, ensuring proper financial management and maintaining good governance. The Board is committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, and has developed its Governance Framework, a suite of documents, which sets out policies, procedures, roles & responsibilities, which guide how we operate.

239 Members

7 Board of Directors:

2 full time staff: Director; Operations & Partnerships Manager

239 7

2

2 part time staff: Company Administrator & Membership Officer; Communications Officer

2

“ISACS brings the community together and gives us a voice.”

“ISACS brings legitimacy to the art form.”

ISACS Network Executives

“ISACS was a huge help in the Covid pandemic when our livings and way of life were shut down overnight. We as a sector a lucky to have ISACS”

Dates of Board Meetings:

• 3rd February 2022

• 24th May 2022

• 10th August 2022

• 4th November 2022

AGM Thursday 5th May 2022:

Members present reviewed and approved:

● 2021 AGM minutes

● 2021 Annual Report

● Directors Financial Statements

● Appointed auditors Hennessy Kinsella 63 members were present, surpassing the quorum of 20% of ISACS membership.

Director: Lucy Medlycott

Administrator & Membership Officer : Amanda Usher (resigned Sept 2022)

Communications Officer: Cristina Ciampaglione (appointed April 2022)

Operations & Partnerships Manager: Helen Collins (appointed May 2022)

Board Members

BOARD MEMBERROLEAPPOINTEDRESIGNED

Miriam DunneChair (until May)30/04/2019

Henrik Gard28/04/2020

Mark O’Donnell Minutes secretary28/04/2020 (from May)

Jonah McGreevy Chair (from May) 29/04/2021

Aoife Carry05/05/2022

Brian Rafferty Treasurer05/05/2022 (from May)

Joshua Angelo Estrella 30/08/2022

Niamh Colbert Treasurer12/04/2016 05/05/2022 (until May)

Chantal Daly 19/04/2018 05/05/2022

Income & Expenditure

Summary 2022

This is for information purposes only and does not form part of our statutory accounts. For full set of audited accounts please refer to www.isacs.ie

N.B: Wexford County Council also support ISACS through Benefit in Kind with the provision of an office valued at €5000 per annum.

Other ISACS Income

ISACS Arts Council Strategic Funding

Funding Figures

Arts Council of Ireland Funding for the Sector

Source of data: Arts Council of Ireland. The Arts Council's grant from the Irish Exchequer increased from €75 million in 2019, to €109 million in 2020, €130 million in 2021 and again in 2022.

Year Total AC BudgetTotal entire SACS% of totalTotal Strategic% of total sector, this does notbudget forFunded ISACSbudget including include orgs such asSACS sectororgs: including GCC GCC funded GCC funded through YPCEfunded through YPCEthrough YPCE

Source of data: Arts Council of Ireland.

thank you

• A huge thank you to all who supported, contributed, engaged and believed in the strength of collective voices and a dedicated network for the development of this inspiring sector.

• To our members whom we represent and who create and grow these art forms daily.

• To our host partners at Wexford County Council for supporting us through the use of a beautiful office in the heart of Wexford town.

• To our fellow networks at Circostrada, IETM, Outdoor Arts UK, Business 2 Arts, Irish Theatre Institute, The Wheel and Theatre Forum for their ongoing support and encouragement.

• To our funders: Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland, Wexford County Council and Culture Ireland.

• To our Board of Directors for their generosity of time and spirit.

“ISACS gives me a sense of home and support in practical ways.”

“ISACS helps me feel part of a bigger community, less isolated”

“ISACS is a support system that helps me get through the difficulties of performance arts.”

“ISACS inspires me endlessly.”

Our other valued partners :

Áras Éanna

Cáirde Sligo Arts Festival

Circaire

Circus Factory

Cloughjordan Circus Club

Dance Ireland

Dublin Circus Project

Earagail Arts Festival

Fira Tàrrega

Galway Community Circus

Galway International Arts Festival

Institut d’Estudis Baleàrics

Irish Aerial Creation Centre

Irish Aerial Dance Festival

Irish Showman’s Association

National Circus Festival of Ireland

National Opera House

Siamsa Tíre

Spraoi

SpringMoves Dance Festival

Wexford Arts Centre

Photographer Credits: Abigail Denniston, Cristina Ciampaglione, Emilija Jefremova, Jessica Marsh, Lucy Medlycott, Luiz Andrade, Marko Dimić, Mark Stedman, Rob Murphy Media Productions, Sunny Sardini, Tom Duffy’s Circus.

Artists Featured: Aisling Ní Cheallaigh, Aoibhinn O’Dea, Ashton, BassAlto, Bill & Fred Productions, Bridget Ní Dhuinn, Cikada Circus, Circaire, Circ Bover, Circus Factory Cork, Cloughjordan Circus Club, Darragh McLoughlin, Doulab for Circus and Dance, Dunn Create,Edaein Samuels, Eimear Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, Galway Community Circus, Gill Byrne, Hands Down Circus, Hannah Rogerson, Hippana Maleta, Jessica Doolin, Jonah McGreevy, Joshua Angelo Estrella, Jude O’Neill, Liza Cox, Lysette Golden, Macnas, Michelle Thoburn, Moss Russell, Natasha Bourke,National Circus Festival of Ireland, Nicola Moran, Nora Kelly Lester, Oran Leong, Sean Gandini, Síolta Circus, Sophia Bikova, Spraoi, Tea Time Company, Tom Duffy’s Circus, Tumble Circus, Vicki Davis.

“Being welcomed by your organisation is very affirming as an artist and attending your in person events gives a huge buzz. Our sector is important and growing and being able to meet our peers in a professional context that isn't stressful is such a gift”

“ISACS is a space for people in the community to share, talk, listen and be activated”