Six in the Attic (SITA) and Six in the Virtual Attic are Irish Theatre Institute (ITI)’s key artist development programmes. This year-long initiative provides playwrights and theatre makers with the space, resources, and community to develop their practice and build lasting professional connections. The programme evolves each year in response to the needs of the participating artists.
The 2025/26 edition marks the third time the programme has included strategic local authority partners, helping ensure national reach and participation. This year’s partners are: Cork County Council Arts Office, Cork City Council Arts Office, Cork Theatre Collective, Galway City Arts Office, Kilkenny Arts Office, Kildare County Arts Office, Tipperary Arts Office and Wicklow County Arts Office. These collaborators support ITI in identifying artists across the country and ensuring equitable access to the programme.
There will be twelve artists selected in total (across both Six in the Attic and Six in the Virtual Attic), with a minimum of six places reserved for artists based in the local authority areas listed above.
Established in 2011, Six in the Attic supports a community of playwrights and theatre makers to engage, explore, develop, debate, and collaborate on their work. Since its inception, alumni have gone on to significant success — creating new productions, winning awards, founding companies, and contributing meaningfully to Ireland’s theatre landscape.
WHO CAN APPLY:
ITI welcome applications from artists who:
- Have ambitious creative plans for December 2025 to November 2026.
- Are seeking mentoring and peer support alongside time, space, and practical resources to create over a 12-month period.
- Are resident on the island of Ireland.
- Have an established theatre practice and a track record of at least one full-length production that has been produced or programmed by an established company, festival, or independent producer.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please don’t rule yourself out. ITI will host a Zoom information session on Tuesday 22 October at 1pm to answer any questions – Register here.
If you can’t attend, you can email your question to Niamh Murtagh, Programme Manager, at nmurtagh@irishtheatreinstitute.ie
WHAT DO ARTISTS RECEIVE:
Selected artists engage in a carefully curated programme including:
- Weekly online gatherings and two in-person meet-ups to build community and shared learning.
- Professional development workshops delivered by ITI and guest experts, tailored to the group’s interests and needs.
- Networking opportunities with other artists and arts organisations nationally and internationally.
- One-to-one mentoring and application support from ITI Director Niamh O’Donnell and Programme Manager Niamh Murtagh, as well as support from team members Narod Shahinian and Louise McGrath
- For Dublin-based artists: Access to a shared workspace and rehearsal/meeting rooms at ITI, 17 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.
- For non-Dublin-based artists: Access to a short-term dedicated desk in a local venue or cultural space arranged through ITI and its partners.
- An artist practice honorarium of €1,300.
(Please note: travel, accommodation, and per diems for in-person meet-ups are additional.)
ITI is now calling for applications from playwrights and theatre makers seeking to realise their artistic ambition, enhance their professional skills and build peer supports.
TIMELINE
14th October Applications open
22nd October Zoom info session for applicants (register here)
13th November Deadline for applications, 4.00pm
20th November Panel of Artists meet for deliberations
24th November All selected and not selected applicants notified
2nd December Six in the Attic 2025/26 participants announced
18th/19th December Six in the Attic and Six in the Virtual Attic – First gathering in Dublin
MAKING YOUR APPLICATION
Please complete the following online application form and upload a upload a CV (max two pages):
Six in the Attic Application Form (For Dublin-based artists)
Six in the Virtual Attic Application Form (For Non-Dublin based artists)
Alternatively, it welcome video applications (maximum 8 minutes) covering the same information.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications will be assessed by ITI and partner arts offices for eligibility and initial review. Both Six in the Attic and Six in the Virtual Attic support artists who are actively building a career in theatre on the island of Ireland.
Final selection of twelve artists will be made by a peer panel comprising a diverse range of theatre practitioners. All eligible applications are read by the panel before group deliberations take place.
FURTHER QUESTIONS AND ASSISTANCE FOR APPLICANTS
As mentioned above, ITI welcome questions from all potential applicants, but specific access supports and access costs are also available. These supports are for applicants with disabilities to cover any requirements you may have in order to remove barriers that might stop you from completing your proposal. ITI can cover access costs, as defined by the Arts Council. If you’d prefer to meet one of the ITI team to talk through these guidelines or would like to submit your application in another format (like video), please contact nmurtagh@irishtheatreinstitute.ie
If you are selected for the programme, ITI will complete an access requirement audit as part of the induction process to identify and make a plan to meet your needs. If you have any queries or there are barriers you feel limit your access to the programme or application process, please get in touch directly so we can best support you within the means available to us.
ITI and our strategic partners are determined to ensure the artists supported through this programme are representative of Ireland today. If anyone has any questions, worries, or concerns or before anyone potentially rules themselves out of applying, please contact us. Please contact Niamh Murtagh at nmurtagh@irishtheatreinstitute.ie or call us on 01-6704906.
The Six in the Attic programme is funded by the Arts Council /An Chomhairle Ealaíon and supported by Cork County Council Arts Office, Cork City Council Arts Office, Cork Theatre Collective, Galway City Arts Office, Kilkenny Arts Office Kildare County Arts Office, Tipperary Arts Office and Wicklow County Arts Office.
