MAKE is an artist development programme and residency initiative of Cork Midsummer Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival, Project Arts Centre and Performing Arts Forum. It is open to artists for the purpose of generating new performance work outside of the traditional writer-led model at all career levels.
MAKE 2025
The 17th MAKE residency will run from Saturday 6 – Saturday 13 December 2025. Returning once again to The Tyrone Guthrie Centre Annaghmakerrig Co Monaghan for a week of mentorship, collaboration and peer support.
Successful applicants will receive:
- Support and guidance from an international mentor
- Group sessions with a network of peers
- Support from the MAKE partners
- Access to space in The Tyrone Guthrie Centre
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Workspace
- Artist fee of €600
- All meals will be provided
- Transfer buses from Dublin city centre to Annaghmakerrig & return
The MAKE coordinating team will collaborate with the selected artists to create a programme that fits their needs, and delivers the optimum conditions for developing their work and connecting with their peers and mentors.
Applicants will also have the option to apply for accessibility support of up to €150 for their time on MAKE. All MAKE partners recognise that there maybe significant barriers to participation particularly for parents/carers and those with accessibility requirements working in the arts.
MAKE 2025 Eligibility
MAKE takes the form of an annual residential laboratory where ideas for new performance work are developed with the mentorship of renowned theatre artists and for some, in collaboration with other participants. MAKE puts emphasis on the generation of new performance work outside of the traditional writer-led model. It is open to artists exploring a variety of dramaturgical models in their work including devised work, documentary theatre work, text-driven work using found or fragmentary texts, music theatre, new writing experimenting with form, digital and interactive presentation formats.
- MAKE offers mentorship to develop theatre and performance projects, working individually or in collaboration with other artists. Groups of up to two artists are welcome to apply.
- This programme is open to individual applications or joint submissions (maximum of two persons per team) – please note there are limited spaces for joint applications within this programme.
- Applications are welcome from Ireland-based and international artists*. We warmly encourage applications from individuals of diverse national, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds — including, but not limited to, Asian, Black, Traveller and other minority ethnic communities, refugees, people with disabilities, working-class individuals, and LGBTQAI+ artists.
[*International applicants are encouraged to look to their own arts funders and Councils for support towards the costs of their travel to Ireland.]
Application
This edition of MAKE is tailored for artists who are:
- Developing a new performance work, or
- Seeking new approaches to connecting with their artistic practice
Applications are now open and will remain so until 12noon Wednesday 8 October
Participation in MAKE is by application only.
This is a summary of what you will need to prepare to complete the form:
- Outline your work to date and include, where available, online links to videos and reviews of this work. (200-250 words)
- Outline how you meet the criteria of MAKE as an artist making new performance work outside of the traditional writer-led model? (100-150 words)
- Tell us about what you propose to work on during the week at MAKE? This can be a proposal for developing a new performance work or seeking new approaches to connecting with your artistic practice (200 – 250 words)
- What do you think you would get out of MAKE? (200-250 words)Finally, there are referees and a CV upload.
- Full attendance from Saturday 6 – Saturday 13 December 2025 is required. Successful participants should be free to travel on Saturday 6 from Dublin city centre via private bus with the rest of the group.
- A comprehensive understanding or fluency in English required so that participants understand what is being asked of them in their mentor one on one and group workshops
The deadline for receipt of applications is 12noon on Wednesday 8 October sharp.
The MAKE partners are dedicated to ensuring that the programme is accessible to all artists, regardless of their circumstances. If additional support would enable your participation, please let us know in your application. We will work with you individually to explore how we can help address any barriers, within the limits of our budget.
APPLY NOW VIA PERFORMING ARTS FORUM
About MAKE
MAKE is taking place at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan Saturday 6 – Saturday 13 December 2025
Since the first MAKE in 2009, over 200 Irish and international artists have been MAKE residents, receiving mentoring support from renowned international theatre makers.
Past programmes have borne highly acclaimed performance work and collaborations going on to tour here in Ireland and internationally. See who has participated in MAKEÂ here.