Encounters with Failure

South Tipperary Arts Centre in partnership with Clonmel Junction Arts Festival.

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“Failure is something we all encounter and is especially relevant to the lives of those of us in the Arts. We are generally told by Capitalist ‘hustle’ culture that failure is a bad thing, even though there is no avoiding it. Artists constantly repurpose failed project proposals, texts, paintings and other discarded materials into new works or ideas. But often there is work that is deemed a failure (or not suitable) even before it sees the light of day… stuck in notebooks, in files on desktops, in piles of paper or gathering dust in the studio/shed or attic - all deemed as failures, unsuccessful or not good enough. I want to explore what failure means to different people and how some artists use it, embrace it and actively seek it out.” Helena Tobin, STAC’s Artistic Director & Curator.

Artists are invited to submit works that respond to or resonate with this idea for inclusion in this group exhibition, which will be part of the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival 2025 and will be curated by Helena Tobin, STAC’s Artistic Director & Curator.

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Selection criteria and submission requirements

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PLEASE READ carefully

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Selection will be based on the following:

• Artistic Merit

• How well the submission responds to the theme ‘Encounters with Failure’

• Feasibility (type of work/suitability for installation in group context, scale etc)

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3 – 5 artists will be selected based on the above criteria by an assessment panel comprising of 3 panellists – Rebecca Lenehan, Director CJAF, Helena Tobin, Director and Curator STAC and an independent artist.

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Selected artists will receive an artist’s fee of €500.

Artworks will need to be delivered to STAC by 28th June and the exhibition will run from 4th July – 2nd August.

Artists can submit a max of 5 works for consideration.

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To apply: please send an Artist Statement (max 400 words) and description of work(s) proposed,

a CV, a bio and a PDF of 1-5 images or media links to info@southtippartscentre.ie

Closing date: Thursday 17th April at 5pm.

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Late applications will not be accepted and the decision of the project partners is final.

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Selected artists will be notified in early May.

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This project is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Tipperary County Council.

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