ISACS Annual Report 2022

Annual Report 1st January - 31st December 2022

2022 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

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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

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ISACS Strategy 2022 – 2025

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.

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Our Values underpin and inform our work:

Care

Strategic Goals

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.

Celebrate our Artforms sharing the history, value, and potential of our work

Advocate for the policy and

Ambition

practical changes that will enable a flourishing Street Art, Spectacle and Circus sector to thrive in Ireland

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

Grow our support to ISACS members to enhance their capacity to deliver high quality work and to sustain their livelihoods

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

Sustain our organisation through increased and diversified funding and enhanced human capacity.

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.

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A Snapshot of 2022

79 Artist support/mentor sessions 11 Artistic development programmes 5 Bursaries 14 Artists Training 2353 Attendances (at our trainings, events etc) 4 Funders/Stakeholders 239 ISACS members 25 National Partners 19 International Partners 5

2014

2015

Who we are: 2016

2017

2018

2019

2020 2021

2022

Growth of ISACS Mem

bers

240

Total

239 220

Total

218

200

41 198

180 160

Total

156 140

Total

Organisations Individuals

120

129 Total Total

100

Total

59

60

Total

127

110

94

80

26 68

33 77

2016

2017

39 90

53 165

33 94

45 111

Total

40 20 0

Total Total

28

10 10

20 8

2012

2013

38 15 23

20 39

2014

2015

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Engagement with ISACS network

Website 44,563views YouTube 1,500 views

Facebook 5,353followers Twitter 2,280 followers Instagram 1,856followers LinkedIn 180 followers 6

Location map of our members in 2022 1 4

DERRY

18

ANTRIM

DONEGAL

1 DOWN

1 LEITRIM

1

SLIGO

MONAGHAN

2

3

NETHERLANDS

CAVAN MAYO

LOUTH

1

3

LONGFORD

MEATH

1 SWITZERLAND

69

1 20 2

5

WESTMEATH

GALWAY

3

CLARE

OFFALY

LAOIS

1 2 4

GERMANY

5

1

WICKLOW

BELGIUM

CARLOW

KILKENNY

WEXFORD

7

12

UK

TIPPERARY

5

1

DUBLIN

KILDARE

4

5 LIMERICK

SWEDEN

1

3 4

2

WATERFORD

6

KERRY

1 CATALONIA

36

CORK

1 1 1

1

SLOVAKIA

CROATIA

LEBANON

PALESTINE

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“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.”

ISACS ers b m e M 2022

41 Organisations 198 Individuals 239 Total

Individual/organisations with youth circus activity Individual/organisation which are based in Ireland and Internationally

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 Consultancy 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

Bui Bolg Bumble Movement Arts 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

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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

Member business types

8 (3%)

66 (28%)

Unique ISACS Memberships

by Art Form

138 (58%)

ISACS Members Gender Identity

Extra Large Organisation

Large Organisation

Total 239

Medium Organisation

10 6

Small Organisation

4

21 80

27 (11%)

Pre-Professional

5% Rather 12% not say Non Binary

118 32% Men

Professional Circus

Multidisciplinary

Spectacle

Street Arts

51%

Survey Income data:

Women 40k-60k: 2% (1)

The top th ree reason s for being 1. To be a member part of a c of ISACS a ommunity re: and organ of like min isations ded peop le 2 . To ava il of trainin g , advice a 3. Netw nd guidan orking and ce peer supp ort opport unities.

96%

of survey ed memb would rec ers say th ommend ey ISACS me mbership to othe

rs

500k+: 12% (3)

Individuals (52 total responses)

20k-40k: 36% (19)

Rather not say: 4% (1)

60k-80k: 4% (2)

0-20k: 58% (30)

300k-500k: 16% (4)

Organisations (25 total responses)

100k-300k: 12% (3) 80k-100k: 60k-80k: Average earnings in the sector are significantly below the national average of 4% (1) 4% (1) €46,813 for 2022 (source: CSO).

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

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0-20k: 20% (5)

20k-40k: 20% (5) 40k-60k: 8% (2)

Touring 22

Basic income for the arts 1

Teaching Fees 34

Private earned income 4

Business Sponsorship 9

Local Authority Funding 28

Programmed Performances 43

HSE 1

Box Office/Ticket Income 21

Trusts and Foundations 6

ISACS Training Bursary 1

Hat/Busker Income 6

International Funding 7

Membership Dues 7

Variety of Income Sources

Philanthropy 7

ISACS Data 2022

National Public Funding (eg. Arts Council) 54 Students/participants/members

3084

16

50 Administrative Staff

22

18

166 Trainers, Teachers or Facilitators

44

127 Other staff

78

68

33

302 Freelance staff (organisations and individual artists)

64

100 0 13 8

160 72 8738

270

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

28

14

4

145 581 Professional/ Artistic Practitioners

25

27

Circus

19, 91 2

8 116

2

8

,0 0 10

50

37,481 Under 18 years old

Multidisciplinary

Spectacle 10

Street Arts

Other

26,674 Over 18 years old

16, 528

2

81

Employment breakdown within 25 organisations who responded to the survey

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

3 Partners 83 Participants 17 Artists employed

4 Youth circus partners and almost 2000 people

3O+ Attendees

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”

registered to collect balls 11

“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:

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

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.

• • •

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Grow 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

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

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 subscribers 35 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.

• • • • 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.

• • • • • •

“During my Hot Desk it was really motivating “All of the workshops to spend the time focusing and training I have on the future of my show and attended have been terrific. strategising with the The information in them ISACS team about how to was always excellent make it happen.” and the speakers were well-chosen.”

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• •

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

“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.”

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: - a journey into street art creation with Adrian • Strada 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.

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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.

International Connections

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

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 .

ever forward-thinking ISACS and 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

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 artist Elena 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.

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See Here Programme:

Sustain

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

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.

at Spraoi: Mike Ribalta of Fira Tarrega (ES), Simon Tubb • Guests 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)

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.

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“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 239

239 Members

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.

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7 Board of Directors: 2 full time staff: Director; Operations & Partnerships Manager

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.”

Dates of Board Meetings:

“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”

February 2022 • 3rd 24th May 2022 • 10th August 2022 • 4th November 2022 •

ISACS Network Executives 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 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.

BOARD MEMBER Miriam Dunne Henrik Gard Mark O’Donnell Jonah McGreevy Aoife Carry Brian Rafferty Joshua Angelo Estrella Niamh Colbert Chantal Daly

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ROLE Chair (until May)

APPOINTED 30/04/2019 28/04/2020 Minutes secretary 28/04/2020 (from May) Chair (from May) 29/04/2021 05/05/2022 Treasurer 05/05/2022 (from May) 30/08/2022 Treasurer 12/04/2016 (until May) 19/04/2018

RESIGNED

05/05/2022 05/05/2022

Income & Expenditure Summary 2022

18,000

Culture Ireland

€ €168,000.00 €6,650.00 €10,075.00 €50,000.00 €9,658.00 €16,000.00 €19,950.00 €15,739.00 €296,072.00

Expenditure 2022: Programme of Activity Wages and Salaries Rent, Light & Heat Insurance Marketing & Website PR Company Development Legal & Professional Board Expenses Bank Charges Auditor Advocacy Expenses Phone & Broadband Software Dues & Subs Sundry Depreciation of Tangible Assets TOTAL Surplus

€16,603

16,000

Income 2022: Arts Council Strategic Fund Wexford County Council Membership Fees Creative Ireland Culture Ireland AC Capacity Building support scheme AC International Residencies Initiatives Scheme Other Income TOTAL

Other ISACS Income

€ €135,455.00 €114,706.00 €1,197.00 €859.00 €3,609.00 €6,000.00 €4,365.00 €2,870.00 €2,121.00 €368.00 €2,399.00 €2,000.00 €1,385.00 €2,169.00 €947.00 €35.00 €1,655.00 €282,140.00 €13,932.00

14,000

Wexford County Council

12,000

ISACS Membership Dues

€15,739

€11,059

Other Income

10,000

€10,075 €9658

€9850 €9804

8000

€7540

€6266

6000

€6650 €4365

4000

€2330

€3010 €2947 €2225

€202 €0 €0

€300

2015

2016

2000

0

€3,340 €2900

€5019 €3760 €3000

€3520

€1585

2017

€5521 €5200

€5000

€3241

€3200

€697 2018

2019

2021

2020

200,000

ISACS Arts Council Strategic Funding 168,000

150,000 135000

€ 100,000

50,000

71651

71650

2019

2020 2021

53000

38250

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

41000

29750

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

0

15000

0 2013 2014

19

2015

2016

2017

2018

2022

Funding Figures Arts Council of Ireland Funding for the Sector Amount of FUNDING requested for these Art Forms

€3 ,21 2,8 70 .0 0

87 ,6 21 .0

0 €1 ,9 85 ,17 8.

0

200

182

184 150

125

50

141 93

81 34

Aw ar de d

2022 To ta l Re amo qu un es t te d

2021 To ta l Re amo qu un es t te d

Aw ar de d

To ta l Re amo qu un es t te d

2020

Aw ar de d

2019 Aw ar de d

To ta l Re amo qu un es t te d

281 250

100

1M 0

300

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

To of tal Ap am pli ou ca nt tio ns Su Ap cce pli ss ca ful tio ns To of tal Ap am pli ou ca nt tio ns Su c Ap ce pli ss ca ful tio ns To t of al Ap am pli ou ca nt tio ns Su Ap cce pli ss ca ful tio ns To of tal Ap am pli ou ca nt tio ns Su c Ap ce pli ss ca ful tio ns

2M

€1 ,16 8, 40 0.

00

3M

€2 ,6 45 ,77 1.0 7

5M

€2 ,9

6M

0

€4 ,15 3,7 08 .0 0

7M

€6 ,28 3,6 83 .0 0

€6 ,50 8, 39 9.

00

8M

4M

Number of APPLICATIONS received from these Art Forms

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 Budget

Total entire SACS sector, this does not include orgs such as GCC funded through YPCE

% of total budget for SACS sector

Total Strategic Funded ISACS orgs: including GCC funded through YPCE

% of total budget including GCC funded through YPCE

2019

€75 m

€1,168,400.00

1.5%

€1,278,400.00

1.7%

2020

€109 m

€1,985,178.00

1.8%

€2,110,178.00

1.9%

2021

€130 m

€2,987,621.00

2.29%

€3,137,621.00

2.4%

2022

€130 m

€3,212,870.00

2.47%

€3,397,870.00

2.6%

Source of data: Arts Council of Ireland.

20

thank you huge thank you to all who supported, contributed, engaged and • Abelieved in the strength of collective voices and a dedicated network for the development of this inspiring sector. our members whom we represent and who create and grow these art • Toforms daily. partners at Wexford County Council for supporting us through • Totheourusehost of a beautiful office in the heart of Wexford town. fellow networks at Circostrada, IETM, Outdoor Arts UK, Business 2 Arts, • ToIrishourTheatre Institute, The Wheel and Theatre Forum for their ongoing support and encouragement. our funders: Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland, Wexford County • ToCouncil and Culture Ireland.

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

21

“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.”

22

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

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”

c/o Block A, Spawell Centre Spawell Rd, Wexford, Y35 E2FK info@isacs.ie www.isacs.ie 087 0541812 CRA Number: 20200598 CHY No: 22248 CRN: 493045

Design: Chameleon Creatives, Wexford.

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