New Emerging Street Talent
N.E.S.T is a mentoring initiative offering new emerging street artists the opportunity to develop new work and present it to a public audience in a nurturing environment. It heightens the artists profile among programmers - national and international, and provides ongoing mentoring, support and guidance from N.E.S.T partners.
This exciting initiative came about collectively through conversations with Waterford Spraoi, the National Circus Festival of Ireland, Tralee and the Out There Festival, Great Yarmouth in 2014 and two programmes in partnership with these high profile organisations in the sector were run in 2014 and 2015.
After a break to re-evaluate the programme in 2016 N.E.S.T was back in partnership with Waterford Spraoi in 2017!
The N.E.S.T Programme is supported by Arts Council of Ireland.
Apply for N.E.S.T. 2018 at Spraoi Festival | Deadline Tuesday 5th June 2018
N.E.S.T. 2017
Mentor: Simon Thompson.
Selected artists:
Tom Campbell - Tom Campbell Artist
Sandra Gonzales Bandera - Kadira Theatre
Severine de Maleingrau - Sevesfeathers
N.E.S.T artists work will be showcased at the Spraoi Festival from 4th-5th August.
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Severine De Maleingreau
As a former NEST artist, I received excellent and tailor-made mentoring to advance my skills in street performing, mainly in terms of audience engagement. I was welcome, nurtured and supported in the making of a new show that culminated in two very successful public street performances. I have developed long-lasting professional relationships with my mentor and the other NESTers. In addition, I had the fantastic opportunity to network with international professionals and gain invaluable insights into the international festival scene. As a direct result of the NEST programme, I have performed a new show as part of the Limerick Fringe Festival and I have secured a 2-week artistic residency with Spoffin, in the Netherlands.
Tom Campbell
The Nest program was a very useful and creative experience. It was great to work at Spraoi, it is a brilliant festival.
It gave me the opportunity to perform in front of European festival directors. I have got work this summer in Italy and Holland from it.
Due to ISACS and the NEST programme I have had offers of work at:
- Limerick Festival 2018
- Zomer in de Mare - Alkmaar - The Netherlands 2018
- Mirabilia, Italy 2018 with possible work in 2019
- Carlow Art Festival 2018
Thanks a lot, ISACS and Nest.
N.E.S.T. 2015
Curator: Con Horgan of Fanzini Brothers and director of the National Circus Festival Ireland.
Participating artists:
Michaela Heyer - Funky Fidelma
Henrik Gard - Circomara Sailing Circus
Brian O'Connell - Circus Fergus.
Participants work was showcased at the Spraoi Festival from 29th July-2nd August, followed by the Out There Festival, Great Yarmouth from 17-21st September and finally the National Circus Festival of Ireland from 13-15th November 2015.
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Henrik Gard
ISACS has given me a lot, especially in 2015 with one great opportunity to grow as an artist in the NEST programme, working with a director for a solo show and getting the opportunity to present it nationally and internationally.
N.E.S.T 2014
Curator: Con Horgan of Fanzini Brothers and director of the National Circus Festival Ireland.
Participating artists:
Alex Allison - Maleta
Francesca Castellano - Lulu's World
Aidan Phelan & Amelie Bal - Réalta
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Francesca Castellano
When I was selected to be part of the Nest Program I received highly professional directorial support and networking advice which still helps me to this day. I have met so many other artists and organizations through the many Symposiums organised by ISACS and my language, as a professional artist, has grown in confidence and intent. I was also selected to represent Ireland in Mirabilia last year, and I developed contact with other festivals in Italy which I will visit in the near future.
ISACS are extremely pleased to acknowledge the support of the Arts Council of Ireland with the N.E.S.T. initiative.
