What is Artists’ Professional Development Training?

We support and celebrate artists by providing continuing professional development and training in both the practical areas of their career (i.e. finance/pensions etc.) and by exploring more in-depth issues to do with visibility, networking and staying professionally connected.

Sustaining your Practice is developed with Visual Artists Ireland and the Royal Hibernian Academy to bring together older visual artists in order to support their practices and livelihoods.

prime continuing professional development programme for actors aged 50 – 80 years old is delivered in partnership between Age & Opportunity/Bealtaine Festival and the Irish Theatre Institute, focusing on career sustainability, entrepreneurial skill development and physical and mental health and well-being, aiming to increase capacity into older age.

The Floor is Yours! is a networking event for dance artists, companies and organisations working with older people, which aims to strengthen and provide visibility for the sector. The event offers workshops, discussions and presentations from those working in the field nationally and internationally. Presented with Dance Ireland and in consultation with Dance Theatre of Ireland.

Experience: An Introduction to Arts, Health and the Older Person, is an online learning programme developed by Age & Opportunity, Waterford Healing Arts Trust and Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre. The programme aims to outline the essential elements involved in working with older people in an arts and health and/or community context. Read Helen Meany’s response to the 2022 programme here.

How does it work?

Each year, we work with organisations such as Visual Artists Ireland, Dance Ireland and the Irish Theatre Institute to support older artists in the development of their careers.