A limited number of students are admitted into SELECTED for a whirlwind two weeks behind the scenes of Galway International Arts Festival, focusing on three key aspects: professional networking, practical experience and artistic development, all while having fun and engaging with some of the most inspiring art and artists from Ireland and around the world.
Applications for SELECTED at Galway International Arts Festival 2023 are now closed.
An intensive programme of workshops, seminars, practitioner discussions and other activities is offered as part of SELECTED. Conversations are facilitated with Galway International Arts Festival staff and artists to give participants the opportunity to explore various career options in the arts and to ask questions. Free access is granted to most shows throughout the Festival.
2017 SELECTED participants with GIAF Communications & Development Manager Hilary Martyn and SELECTED Coordinator Shelley Troupe during Festival 2017.
Participants also act as Festival Ambassadors, interacting with visitors on the streets of Galway and learning in a fun, practical way. Each day brings new experiences as SELECTED Ambassadors are stationed in the Festival’s most popular areas to help spread awareness of events and help visitors with queries.
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.
2018 SELECTED participants with GIAF Artistic Director Paul Fahy and University of Galway President Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh during Festival 2018.
“I have always found GIAF to be an extremely accessible and generous organisation, but SELECTED gave me access to a whole new side of the Festival and allowed me to forge new relationships and partnerships with producers and organisations, many of which I still maintain today. Having backstage access to the calibre of talent the Festival hosts each year was an invaluable resource.”
- Craig Flaherty, SELECTED participant 2014, former Production Manager at Druid, current Cultural Producer at Galway 2020
As a member of SELECTED, I was granted an extraordinary chance to meet with each GIAF staff member and learn from them as they shared their experiences. Meeting everyone was a far more powerful learning tool than could ever be accomplished through academics alone. The most inspiring realization is that these individuals are patient and excited to help young emerging artists.
As a theatre student and artist, I experienced the majority of the Festival’s offerings. That opportunity placed me at performances that I would have not considered attending but which spoke to me in a way that I did not expect and opened my mind to art forms unfamiliar to me.
– Rena Bryson, SELECTED participant 2018, Founder at Eva's Echo Theatre Company
2017 SELECTED participants with GIAF CEO John Crumlish and Communications & Development Manager Hilary Martyn during Festival 2017.