Partnerships

Strollers Network

Solstice Arts Centre is proud to be part of the Strollers Network.

What is the Strollers Touring Network?

The Strollers Network is Ireland’s largest consortium of Art Centres. It is a partnership made up of ten venues from across four regions of the country including; Belltable (Limerick), Draíocht (Dublin), Watergate (Kilkenny), Solstice (Navan), Visual (Carlow), Linenhall (Mayo), Hawkswell Theatre (Sligo), Riverbank (Kildare), Source (Tipperary) and Siamsa Tire (Kerry). Collectively the network represents one fifth of all publicly funded Arts Centres nationally.

Since its establishment in 2010 the network has invested over €190,000 into the production and dissemination of new stage works by some of Ireland’s leading theatre artists, companies and musicians including; Julie Feeney (2011), Fishamble: The New Play Company (2013 & 2018), Theatre Lovett (2012), Moonfish Theatre Company (2014/15), Monkeyshine Theatre Company (2016), Duke Special (2017) and most recently Joanne Ryan’s national tour of ‘Eggsistentialism’ (2019).
Historically the network has supported artists in two distinct ways, firstly through our annual touring award of €10,000 and secondly by providing artists and companies access to a touring platform which utilised the network’s existing touring infrastructure.

Since 2020 the network has embarked on the development and delivery of a new strategic plan which aims to strengthen the ecology of the Irish arts sector by utilising the network’s existing infrastructures, resources, and wider network partnerships to support the sustainable development of independent artists working within the Irish theatre sector. In 2021 Strollers launched PROPEL, a newly established artist development and mentorship programme supporting the early stage research and development of new work by independent theatre artists living and working in Ireland (read more below).

Strollers announce Shane O'Reilly as PROPEL Recipient 2022

Following an open call application process the Strollers Network is delighted to announce Shane O’Reilly as the recipient of the PROPEL Programme Award 2022.

The aim of PROPEL is to strengthen the ecology of the Irish theatre sector by supporting the development of new work by independent theatre makers and to support the sustainable development of artistic practice through a structured mentorship and training programme designed and delivered in consultation with the artist or company.

The programme offers a €35,000 bursary over 3 years to support the research and development of new work and to cover the cost of ongoing professional development through training and mentorship. The award also gives access to development and rehearsal spaces in ten Arts Centres across the country, support and mentorship from a panel of experts in producing, fundraising, technical production, dramaturgy, publishing, marketing, finance, cultural entrepreneurship, audience development and engagement, and strategic business development and cultural business management. Finally, this will give the artist an opportunity to present a work-in-progress performance as part of a major Irish festival.

Shane O'Reilly

Shane O’Reilly is a writer and performer based in Dublin. He has a studio at the newly launched interdisciplinary arts space The Dean Arts Studio provided by the Press Up Hospitality Group. He trained in Drama and Theatre Studies at Trinity College Dublin and has subsequently been mentored by many international artists including playwright Bruce Norris, writer Anna Maria Murphy and theatre maker and director Katie Mitchell. Shane is an alumni of the Six in the Attic scheme run by theIrish Theatre Institute. Shane is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and a lot of his work incorporates Sign Language, themes of Deafness and employs Deaf artists. He has previously created work with WillFredd Theatre Company including FOLLOW, FARM and CARE. His writing work includes The Water Boys, The Matador, Windowpane, Swansong, Näher… Closer, Nearer, Sooner and the up- coming musical Gold in the Water.