"There's so much warmth in the room…it just uplifts you"
Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson

Submissions Policy

IAC is committed to providing a creative home for Irish and Irish American artists, as well as those whose background is not Irish but whose work explores the evolving Irish question as it relates to New York, America, Ireland, and the world. At present, IAC accepts proposals from artists at all stages in their careers working in the areas below:

IAC accepts proposals on a continuous basis throughout the year and programs are generally scheduled 8-18 months in advance. While IAC is sometimes able to accommodate programming requests in a shorter timeframe, please keep this in mind when submitting materials. Due to the large volume of submissions‚ there is a 6–12 month review period for all unsolicited proposals. Please note that Irish Arts Center is unable to respond to individual applicants.

Irish Arts Center does not accept submissions in hard copy. Please send submissions by email to submissions@irishartscenter.org. Please indicate both the discipline and the project title in the subject line (i.e. “Live Music—Performer Name”)

Classes

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future educational programming:

  • description of class
  • teacher biography/curriculum vitae
  • press clippings where applicable (optional)
Comedy

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future comedy programming:

  • project summary
  • artist biography, curriculum vitae, or company history
  • production stills, video or audio recordings where applicable (optional)
  • press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)
Dance

Irish Arts Center accepts submissions from dancers, dance companies, and choreographers working in a variety of styles including contemporary, modern, and traditional.

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future dance programming:

  • project summary/artist statement (no more than 500 words)
  • video recordings
  • artist biography, curriculum vitae, or company history
  • press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)
Exhibition (Visual Arts and Cultural / Historical)

Irish Arts Center organizes solo and group exhibitions of emerging and established visual artists as well as cultural and historical exhibitions of artifacts and other objects.

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future exhibitions:

  • project summary/artist statement (no more than 500 words)
  • artist/curator biography or curriculum vitae
  • digital images (via e-mail or on CD; please do not send slides or transparencies)
  • press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)
  • exhibition catalogue (optional)

Special note for institutions seeking venues for traveling exhibitions: Irish Arts Center will consider traveling exhibitions that have been organized by other institutions. Please send the following information to submissions@irishartscenter.org:

  • project summary/artist statement (no more than 500 words)
  • artist/curator biography or curriculum vitae
  • object checklist
  • digital images (via e-mail or on CD; please do not send slides or transparencies)
  • gallery specifications including square footage needed to exhibit and equipment needs
  • press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)
  • exhibition catalogue (optional)
Film

Irish Arts Center presents a regular film series in both spring and fall seasons. Filmmakers and production companies are welcome to submit feature films, documentaries, animated films, and shorts for consideration. We also encourage the submission of Irish language films.

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future film programming:

  • project summary/artist statement (no more than 500 words)
  • full-length recordings on DVD formatted for US whenever possible
  • artist biography or curriculum vitae
  • press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)
Kids

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future children’s programming:

  • project summary
  • artist biography, curriculum vitae, or company history
  • production stills, video or audio recordings where applicable (optional)
  • press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)
Lecture / Humanities

Irish Arts Center accepts proposals for lectures, presentations, and panel discussions that relate to our 21st-century mission.

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future lecture programming:

  • project summary (no more than 500 words)
  • list of proposed presenters/panelists
  • organizer biography or curriculum vitae
  • list of previous venues for the panel/presentation where applicable
Literature

Irish Arts Center presents numerous literature events throughout the year including literature-in-performance, our annual PoetryFest, and family and children’s events.

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future literature programming:

  • project summary/artist statement (no more than 500 words)
  • full-length manuscript (previously published books, uncorrected proofs, and unbound galleys are accepted)
  • author biography or curriculum vitae
  • press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)
Music

Irish Arts Center welcomes submissions from musicians and composers working in a variety of styles and genres, including contemporary, classical, world, singer songwriter, indie, and traditional.

Please submit the following materials for consideration for future music programming:

• project summary/artist statement
• sample recordings (mp3 files or streaming links preferred)
• artist biography, curriculum vitae or ensemble history
• press clippings/reviews where applicable (optional)

Theatre

Irish Arts Center accepts submissions of new plays.

Guidelines for submitting a play

  • Irish Arts Center does not accept scripts in hard copy. Please send script submissions by email, to submissions@irishartscenter.org.
  • When submitting to IAC, please include a copy of the play (script or recording of the performance), a brief synopsis, and cover letter detailing relevant artistic experience.
  • Other production materials (production stills, reviews, etc) are welcome but not required.
  • If possible, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with Irish Arts Center and the work we program; come see a performance in our new home or look at the archive and reviews of recent productions. This will give you a better idea of the type of work IAC looks for.
  • IAC cannot consider resubmissions of work unless a new draft has been specifically requested.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the submission process work? Who reviews submissions?

Your submission will be carefully reviewed by IAC programming staff in tandem with IAC’s Executive Director. Proposals under consideration for future programming are reviewed with artistic advisors in the relevant disciplines, and decisions are made based on a variety of factors including artistic standard, disciplinary diversity, cultural relevance as it relates to our mission, timing, budget, and other strategic considerations. Proposals that are not selected are kept on file for a minimum of two years.

Do I have to be Irish to submit?

Not necessarily. Our mission is to project a dynamic image of the evolving culture of Ireland and Irish America, and we welcome proposals for work at the highest standard from artists of all backgrounds.

I am already planning to travel to New York to present my work. Can I submit a proposal to present at Irish Arts Center? Is your space available to rent?

IAC welcomes submissions from individual artists and production companies that are planning to travel to New York to present their work, though as mentioned previously, we often program as much as 18 months in advance. IAC’s 99-seat Donaghy Theatre is often available to rent during the summer months (June-August), and classroom and rehearsal space is occasionally available during the spring and fall seasons.

Why haven’t I received a response to my submission?

IAC receives a high volume of excellent submissions across all of the disciplines. We work very hard to carefully review each submission, and therefore we ask for your patience. While we are unable to respond to each submission, we will reach out to those whose proposals are under consideration for an upcoming season.

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