SELECTED operates as part of the University of Galway/Galway International Arts Festival partnership and forms part of our shared strategy of developing the next generation of artists, arts managers, creative entrepreneurs, and other professionals in the west of Ireland and beyond.
There are 3 key elements of SELECTED: Professional networking, practical experience, and artistic development.
Professional Networking
SELECTED offers exclusive meetings with Galway International Arts Festival staff, international and Irish producers and creative entrepreneurs and artists.
"We the participants were fortunate enough to be introduced to some of the most creative actors, producers and event organisers nationally and internationally known in this industry of arts and culture." Ciara O’Reilly, SELECTED participant 2013
Practical Experience
As Venue Ambassadors participants support the venue manager and production team at GIAF Theatre venues.
They support the Festival sustainability goals by volunteering as Green Ambassadors at the Big Top and Festival Garden.
As Festival Ambassadors they will know the who, the what, the where of the festival and advise the public on all of their festival needs.
SELECTED participants complete a Story Bank which captures their festival experience in text or video formats. Participants learn valuable pitching skills through an Elevator Pitch workshop and the opportunity to practice those skills while presenting to GIAF CEO John Crumlish.
Artistic Development
SELECTED offers free access to many of the events in the Festival Programme including theatre and dance shows, post-show talks, Heineken Big Top concerts, visual art installations, First Thought Talks, and readings of new work.
"Seeing these shows, particularly as an aspiring writer was very useful as it showed me what kind of work the arts festival is interested in, and also particularly the really strong pieces taught me lessons in script structure, comedy, staging, and character building." 2025 Participant
Students have a dedicated Coordinator to guide and advise them throughout the programme. SELECTED participants have gone on to work with Galway International Arts Festival as well as with arts organisations throughout Ireland and abroad.