25-26 IACP Award Recipients & Overview of Projects

• Alex Creggan
  Alex Cregganwriter,
  poet and spoken word performer
  [email protected]

  
  Alex will continue to maintain the Queer Writers' Circle which aims to provide peer support, awareness and resource sharing to underrepresented artists.
  This proposal will foster a sense of interdisciplinarity through enhanced collaborative working and will also see the development and delivery of an all-transgender creative evening, which aims to give artists a humanising platform to share their work, develop audiences and promote understanding, inclusion, and diversity within Derry's creative ecosystem.
   
• Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh
  Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh
  interdisciplinary visual artist and researcher
  [email protected]
  
  Ciarán will make a new body of work entitled Vague symptom clinic and will show at The Project Arts Centre, Dublin. 05/06/25-01/03/26
  The sculptural installation will deal with the legacy of post colonialism, partition and inherited chronic illness and health issues. The Vague symptom clinic derives its origins from the real-life NHS clinic that attempts to identify the origins or cause of a range vague symptoms including weight loss, fatigue, brain fog and night sweats. Vague symptoms are also arguably synonymous with inherited illness, a legacy of state violence and our post covid society.
  
  The project will support the development of Ciarán’s artistic research and practice & open up new collaborations. Partnership with The Project Arts Centre supports progression in terms of platforming opportunities, promotion, engaging participants and reaching new audiences. It will also serve to enhance visibility of arts practices in Derry to wider audiences.
   
• Conor O'Boyle
  Conor O'Boyle
  Musician, Composer
  [email protected]
  
  
  Conor will create a high quality recording of a new work to be released as part of a new EP under the moniker of "Platonic Shapes"
  The project will see Conor collaborate with local and international musicians. It will feature a 21-piece string arrangement from the European Recording Orchestra and will be recorded in Bulgaria. Support will enable Conor to source equipment including promoting the skills of Derry based microphone manufacturer Michael Barkley.
   
• Dave Duggan
  Dave Duggan
  Novelist and dramatist writing in English and Irish
  [email protected]
  
  Dave will create an audio book of his most recent work : Journeywork, a creative life by Dave Duggan (Nerve Centre (2024) is a collection of essays as creative non-fiction, suited to adult readers interested in writing and memoir.
  Dave will develop new skills in collaboration with creative practitioners to deliver work in a new format. The work will open up new audiences with particular benefit for people with visual impairments.
   
• Eamonn Lynch
  Eamonn Lynch
  Writer, dramatist
  [email protected]
  
  Eamonn’s project will see The Derry Yank staged in the Millennium Forum in June 2025. 
  As a first-time playwright working in collaboration with an experienced director and established local artists, the project being staged in one of Ireland’s premier theatres offers the writer a raised profile and learning opportunities which support progression to other Irish platforms for this play and other works that follow.
   
• Felicity McCall
  Felicity McCall
  Writer, journalist
  [email protected]
  
  Felicity will progress to completion of "What we did on our Holidays and other stories"  – an anthology of short stories towards publication in Autumn 2025.
  The central theme of the collection is our Sixties - the life changes, challenges, reflection and growth that is part of this decade of self-discovery.
  Felicity will hold two reading and discussion groups with fellow writers and potential readers in U3A, Gransha, and the Central Library. Post publication, Felicity will return to both groups to read from the finished collection.
  Image Credit: Stephen Latimer
   
• Frank Rafferty
  Frank Rafferty
  performance poet, occasional broadcaster, storyteller, writer and musician
  [email protected]
  
  Frank will provide 6 original performance events/shows in Derry at the Millenium Forum Studio Theatre and Echo Echo Dance Theatre. This project will enable the development of original new work and will deliver unique theatrical and musical cabaret experiences in collaboration with artists from Derry, Scotland and Ireland.
  These events will provide opportunities for the artists to further develop audiences through performance opportunities at other events in 2025 & 2026 including  Electric Picnic, Bealtaine Fire Festival at Uisneach, Wee Solar Festival (Summer Solstice) Arran, Scotland and the Isle of Bute Festival. There will also be opportunities for local artists to participate in an exchange with similar events in Glasgow, Manchester and London.
• Garbhán Downey
  Garbhán Downey 
  Colmiclle Press writer (journalism, fiction and creative nonfiction) and broadcaster
  [email protected]
  
  Garbhán will produce a series of five arts video-podcasts with local practitioners to promote their work, the work of Colmcille Press, and the Council/city-region's broader cultural product and literary tradition. The podcasts will consider the practitioners own body of work, artistic and geographical influences and contexts.
  Contributors will include: Visual artist Bridget Murray, Memoirist Pat McArt , Novelist Jim Simpson, Memoirist Ken Thatcher, Poet Paul Laughlin, singer-songwriter Declan McLaughlin will also contribute a new song to each podcast. The podcasts will be produced at the Hive Studios (Rath Mor), and hosted on the Colmcille Press website, youtube with socials promotion.
   
• Joseph Leighton
  Joseph Leighton
  Jazz musician
  [email protected]
  
  Joseph will record his debut album. The project represents an important milestone opportunity in Joseph’s career and will showcase the artists own compositions and interpretations working towards establishing a distinct musical identity. Completing the album will support Joseph in his aims of  reaching a broader audience nationally and internationally.
   
• Karen Torley
  Karen Torley
  Professional puppeteer and Theatre maker
  [email protected]
  
  Karen will develop a new production called 'Imaginary Friends', a theatre production using puppetry and storytelling and object theatre for children of all abilities ages 3-11yrs. Aimed at inspiring children to use their natural creativity and imagination.
  'Imaginary Friends' will be a one woman touring performance available for schools, community groups and venues thought N. Ireland. Creative workshops will accompany the show and Karen will work with teachers and educators on the sensory development of the show towards promoting accessibility. 
   
• Margaret Kelly
  Margaret Kelly
  Designer, Textile Artist, Photographer
  [email protected]
  
  Empower, Inspire, and Connect through African Prints Fashion. Margaret will plan, develop and deliver events aimed at inspiring creativity and engaging new audiences by celebrating the richness of African prints and textiles. Aimed at designers, artists, students, community members, local fashion designers and artisans. Margaret will enhance her own delivery skills, networks and connections as well as impacting and supporting other artists and interested community members.
   
• Mel Bradley
  Mel Bradley
  multidisciplinary neurodiverse artist
  [email protected]
  
  Mel will create a new body of work on women’s stories with particular focus on misogyny and gender-based violence.
  The work will encompass a podcast series, a total of 8 episodes of both one-to-one interviews and roundtable discussions.  This would combine episodes that are only women’s voices, trans and non-binary voices to highlight that gender-based violence is not a binary issue. There will also be a discussion with men to uncover what they think the issues are and where they think change needs to happen.
  Mel will work in collaboration with various groups to develop ongoing research and practice in this area and will also use the project to develop professional skills in sound and editing.
  Progression includes working towards a new piece of theatre that highlights these issues in a raw and impactful way.
   
• Northern Lights Project
  Northern Lights Project
  [email protected]
  
  Northern Lights Project, based in Derry, is a dynamic music organization and registered charity founded in 2016 with a mission to create, produce, and promote groundbreaking new music and interdisciplinary arts events.
  The project will support the delivery a one-day festival celebrating electroacoustic and experimental music. This event will consist of hands-on workshops, collaborative sessions, and an open-mic-style showcase and is specifically designed for emerging and early-career experimental artists. The project aims to support the work of individual artists through opportunities to road test new ideas, refine existing pieces, and collaborate with others in flexible groupings to develop fresh performances.
• Pascale Steven
  Pascale Steven
  Visual artist
  [email protected]
  
  PLOT. (Place and Location Over Time) ((working title)). This project will support Pascale to undertake a residency in conjunction with Art Arcadia, to take place at the Triax Allotment in Ballymagowan, Derry from 1^st May – 30^th June 2025.
  Pascale will build on previous work exploring tools of communication and the random and unpredictable nature of one’s life experience. In PLOT, the context of the allotment both physically and conceptually, the occupants and the daily life of the site will shape the course of the project.
  The artist will host open days during the residency which will include informal talks, discussions, Q & As. There will be an ongoing blog on the Art Arcadia Insta and the final exhibit will be on site & open to the public. The artist will also use the opportunity to develop audio recording skills.
   
• Paul Laughlin
  Paul Laughlin
  Poet writing in both Irish and English
  [email protected]
  
  This project will support Paul Laughlin to promote his collection of poetry in Irish entitled Dorn San Aer. Paul will work in partnership with artists and practitioners on promotion of the work which will include Videos of Readings, Bespoke Postcard series, lapel badges and limited edition posters.
  As the first Irish language publication to be produced by the Colmcille Press, Dorn San Aer will strengthen the Irish language arts sector in Derry and wider afield by catering to the growing demand for new work in Irish. It will also strengthen the reputation of the Colmcille Press as an innovative publisher of quality literature. The project will enhance the profile of the artist and the collection of poetry will be of interest to, and provide a useful resource for Irish speakers, education providers and learners at an advanced level.
   
• Robert Campbell
  Robert Campbell
  Writer and producer of books, videography, spoken word productions, poetry, and artwork aimed at audiences of various ages
  [email protected]
  
  Robert will write and develop a script for a new spoken-word production for children,  set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Causeway Coast, Lough Foyle, and the North Channel. Entitled Captain Timmy and Finn McCool's Griddle.
  This award will allow Robert to craft the script, create stunning artwork, and build props from recycled materials, nurturing sustainability in creativity.
  This project aims to ignite imaginations and will be promoted to local primary schools and community initiatives.
• Séan Coyle
  Séan Coyle
  Filmmaker, Creative Director Pink Pages Pictures
  [email protected]
  
  Séan will write, direct and produce new work 'Table for Two' which tells the story of Clare, a young widow with suicidal ideation who is feeling totally lost in life. Through friends she decides to try rebuild herself by going to a singles night specifically for widows and widowers, through this she meets another lost soul named Tom and they develop a bond over their shared trauma.
  Working with local artists, practitioners and students, Séan aims to support the creation of work, skills development and networking opportunities locally and further afield.
  As the work deals with issues such as suicidal ideation and loneliness, discussions around mental health issues will be facilitated through Q & A sessions at screenings involving mental health professionals. Intended to take the film to the festival circuit in Autumn 2025.
   
• Victoria Geelan
  Victoria Geelan
  Vocalist, writer, producer and facilitator
  [email protected]
  
  Songs of the City - art & album project. This project will see the creation of a new body of work of approximately 10 songs, written and composed by Victoria, using lyrics collected from the general public on printed postcards, each capturing a certain positive theme, curated together as a love letter to our city. Postcards will be distributed at cultural and civic venues across the city - theatres, arts centres, galleries, cafes, restaurants, community centres and civic offices.
  Songs will be set to music and recorded with some of the city’s top musicians: Neil Burns, Rohan Armstrong and James Anderson.
  Project will culminate in the launch of the album at City of Derry Jazz Festival 2026