The Kilkenny County Council Arts Office is delighted to announce that they have recently appointed Shannon Carroll as the fifth curator to avail of the Emerging Curator Development Programme. This programme will enable Shannon to gain direct experience in the field of curating exhibitions with Kilkenny County Council Arts Office. Three exhibitions or projects in total will be organised between May & November this year, providing Shannon with the platform to further develop her career, expand her artistic and creative networks. She will also benefit from the experience and expertise of the Arts Officer, Mary Butler and the Arts Office staff and receive one to one mentoring with Curator Etaoin Holahan.
In a statement Shannon has stated ‘I am delighted to have been chosen for this year’s Emerging Curator Development Programme with Kilkenny Arts Office. I can’t wait to delve into research on the history of place in Kilkenny and work with artists who explore our relationship to the landscape, addressing themes of ecology, sustainability and the Irish language. I’m also looking forward to working with Arts Officer Mary Butler and being mentored by Curator Etaoin Holahan, to learn from their valuable experience and gain insight into the multifaceted and diverse arts scene across Kilkenny.”
This programme will also enhance the cultural vibrancy of Kilkenny by showcasing the works of local and national artists. An outreach programme will complement the programme, seeking to involve communities in Kilkenny and diversifying audiences and engagement.
Shannon is an emerging curator who recently graduated with a distinction from IADT’s MA in Art & Research Collaboration. Her area of research focuses on ecological art practice and artists who prioritise working with reusable and sustainable materials. Shannon’s work aims to explore our connection with our relationship to the natural world, with reading, writing and conversation as key elements informing her practice. The outcomes of her research are project dependent, including curating exhibitions, commissioning artworks, organising events, lecturing, conducting artist interviews, writing and publishing.
Recent exhibitions include A Perambulation and Climate Cafe at The LAB Gallery and Earth Rising at IMMA. She was recipient of The ARC LAB Curatorial Scholarship, working at The LAB Gallery for 18 months to develop her research, culminating in an upcoming exhibition in March 2023, Molecular Revolutions. Shannon also holds an MA from UCD in Art History, Collections & Curation and a BA from Trinity College Dublin in the History of Art and Architecture and Philosophy.
Mary Butler, Arts Officer says ‘we are delighted to welcome Shannon to work with us across 2023 and to support this phase of their career. We are looking forward to her upcoming exhibitions and events and presenting new artists to Kilkenny for 2023. Welcome the opportunity also to meet the new audiences and participants throughout her programme.
To keep up to date with what Shannon has in store and other news from the Arts Office please join us on the Arts Office Facebook page @kilkennyartsoffice and Instagram @kilkennyartsoffice and @kccartsofficeemergingcurator
This programme is funded by Kilkenny County Council and theArts Council of Ireland.
