MAKE 2026 - OPEN CALL

What You Will Find On This Page

• About Make
• Make 2026 overview
• What You Can Expect From MAKE 2026
• Accessibility
• Eligibility
• How To Apply

About MAKE

MAKE is taking place at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan Saturday 21 – Saturday 28 November 2026

Since the first MAKE in 2009, over 220 Irish and international artists have been MAKE residents, receiving mentoring support from renowned international theatre makers. Past programmes have borne highly acclaimed performance work and collaborations going on to tour here in Ireland and internationally. See who has participated in MAKE here.

"... it created the time and space to experiment with performance, theatre and text. It strengthened my technical and conceptual approach to working in group environments, and having engaging discussions. The supportive peer exchange sharpened my ideas and confidence in pursuing ambitious, site-responsive work & interactive performance."

MAKE 2026

The 18th MAKE residency will run from Saturday 21 – Saturday 28 November 2026. This year, we set up home again at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan for a week of mentorship, collaboration and peer support.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Support and guidance from an international mentor
• Group sessions with a network of peers
• Support from the MAKE partners
• Access to space in The Tyrone Guthrie Centre
• Accommodation for 7 nights
• Workspace
• Artist fee of €600
• All meals will be provided
• Transfer buses from Dublin city centre to Annaghmakerrig & return on Saturday 21 November (outgoing - departing Dublin at approx 13:00hrs) and Saturday 28 November (return - departing Monaghan at approx 15:00hrs)

What  You Can Expect From MAKE

• MAKE offers mentorship over the course of the week from three international artists whose diverse approaches to their work will provide guidance and a sounding board to participants working individually, one-on-one or collaboratively as a group.
• Here is a sample schedule of what structure is in place during your time on MAKE.  There will be time for solo reflection and development, group discussion and feedback, all working towards an informal showing of your work so far on the final two days of the programme.

Accessibility

• Applicants will also have the option to apply for accessibility support of up to €150 for their time on MAKE. All MAKE partners recognise that there may be significant barriers to participation—particularly for parents/carers and those with accessibility requirements working in the arts.
• The accommodation is made up of the main house (15 rooms) and 5 cottages on the grounds (each accommodating two artists).  In the main house the ground floor bedrooms (5 in total) are accessible and the common areas (the library and drawing room) are also accommodating for wheelchair users.  The Music room (on the ground floor) is accessible via an outdoor ramp but with assistance.
• The majority of cottages on the grounds will have a mix of bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces on ground and first floors - unsuitable for those with mobility requirements. The dance studio while accessible inside has limited access surrounding it due to the surface (this is currently under construction to be updated and made accessible for all)
• The MAKE coordinating team will collaborate with the selected artists to create a programme that fits their needs, and delivers the optimum conditions for developing their work and connecting with their peers and mentors.

Eligibility

MAKE takes the form of an annual residential laboratory where ideas for new performance work are developed with the mentorship of renowned theatre artists and for some, in collaboration with other participants. MAKE puts emphasis on the generation of new performance work outside of the traditional writer-led model. It is open to artists exploring a variety of dramaturgical models in their work including devised work, documentary theatre work, text-driven work using found or fragmentary texts, music theatre, new writing experimenting with form, digital and interactive presentation formats.

• MAKE offers mentorship to develop theatre and performance projects, working individually or in collaboration with other artists. Groups of up to two artists are welcome to apply.
• This programme is open to individual applications or joint submissions (maximum of two persons per team) - please note there are limited spaces for joint applications within this programme.
• Applications are welcome from Ireland-based and international artists*. We warmly encourage applications from individuals of diverse national, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds — including, but not limited to, Asian, Black, Traveller and other minority ethnic communities, refugees, people with disabilities, working-class individuals, and LGBTQIA+ artists.

[*International applicants are encouraged to look to their own arts funders and Councils for additional support towards the costs of their travel to Ireland.]

How To Apply

This edition of MAKE is tailored for artists who are:

• Developing a new performance work, or
• Seeking new approaches to connecting with their artistic practice

Applications for MAKE 2026 will open from 

12 noon Monday 24 August

Please bear in mind you may need a Google account to fill out the form below.

Participation in MAKE is by application only.

Complete this online application form.

This is a summary of what you will need to prepare to complete the form:

• Outline your work to date and include, where available, online links to videos and reviews of this work. (200-250 words)
• Outline how you meet the criteria of MAKE as an artist making new performance work outside of the traditional writer-led model? (100-150 words)
• Tell us about what you propose to work on during the week at MAKE? This can be a proposal for developing a new performance work or seeking new approaches to connecting with your artistic practice (200 – 250 words)
• What do you think you would get out of MAKE? (200-250 words)Finally, there are referees and a CV upload.
• Full attendance from Saturday 21 – Saturday 28 November 2026 is required. Successful participants should be free to travel on Saturday 21 from Dublin city centre via private bus with the rest of the group. (from last morning/early afternoon)
• A comprehensive understanding or fluency in English required so that participants understand what is being asked of them in their mentor one-on-one and group workshops

The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Monday 21 September sharp.

• The MAKE partners are dedicated to ensuring that the programme is accessible to all artists, regardless of their circumstances. If additional support would enable your participation, please let us know in your application. We will work with you individually to explore how we can help address any barriers, within the limits of our budget.

Future MAKEs

Following the 2026 residency, MAKE will take a fallow year in 2027. This planned pause will give the MAKE partners an opportunity to reflect on the programme to date, consider its future development and explore how MAKE can continue to best support artists and the development of new performance work. More details to follow. 

Selection

The selection panel uses the following criteria:

• Artistic output to date
• Artistic ethos and ambition of the applicant’s proposal
• Benefit that participating in this edition of MAKE would offer the artist
• The group dynamic

If you have any questions or queries, email Paul paul@performingartsforum.ie.

Closing Date For Applications 12 noon on Monday 21 September.

"As freelancers we're often juggling multiple projects, day jobs, and random life admin so taking part in MAKE gave me time away from the noise to think and dig deeper into my work and practice with no distractions and a hugely supportive community of artists."

-MAKE 2025 Alumni