The BEAG and Starcatchers International Early Years Exchange is a new artist residency initiative launching in 2026, building on the successful collaboration between BEAG and Starcatchers that began in 2020.
This initial partnership started as an online artist network, fostering cross-cultural exchange between Scottish, UK, and Irish organisations working with young children. Its success highlighted a strong demand for in-person collaborative opportunities, which has now evolved into a structured residency programme.
The BEAG and Starcatchers International Early Years Residency Exchange, prioritises artist-to-artist collaboration in early years arts practice. A partnership between Graffiti: BEAG (Cork) and Starcatchers (Edinburgh), the programme will support four artists — two established and two emerging — to work closely together in a cross-cultural context. The residency combines two intensive in-person residency periods with a flexible remote development and dialogue period in between, providing structured time and space for artists to co-create, experiment, and share practice while developing new early years work.
About the Programme Partners
BEAG
Based at Graffiti Theatre in Cork, Ireland, BEAG delivers creative, artist-led early years arts experiences for children from birth to three. Collaborating with visual artists, dancers, musicians, and theatre makers, BEAG creates immersive, multi-sensory programmes that are child-centred, responsive, and aligned with Aistear’s emergent curriculum. Programmes run across Early Learning and Care settings, parent and baby/toddler groups, and community contexts, including Cork Migrant Centre, the Traveller Visibility Group, and Direct Provision centres. BEAG has been showcased at Baboró, Dublin Fringe, SprÓg, and Cork Midsummer Festival.
More information: graffiti.ie/early-years
Starcatchers
Starcatchers is Scotland’s National Arts & Early Years organisation based in Edinburgh, delivering playful, high-quality creative experiences for babies, toddlers, and their families. Working with theatre makers, dancers, visual artists, and musicians, their programmes are relationship-led and child-centred, fostering collaboration, creativity, and exploration. Starcatchers also supports early years practitioners through professional development and advocates for children’s rights in the arts.
Together, BEAG and Starcatchers bring complementary expertise and a shared commitment to early years arts, creating a rich, collaborative foundation for the International Residency Exchange.
More information: starcatchers.org.uk
The Residency: Hybrid Model and Timeframe
The BEAG/Starcatchers International Residency Exchange is a 12-week hybrid residency running from March to June 2026, designed to support collaborative early years arts practice. The residency includes two intensive in-person blocks—one in Cork, Ireland, and one in Edinburgh, Scotland—linked by a flexible remote development period.
Phase 1: Inbound Residency – Cork, Ireland
- Location: Graffiti Theatre Company, Cork
- Dates: 22nd March – 5th April 2026
- Activities:
- Starcatchers artists travel to Cork for a 2-week residency.
- Starcatchers artists collaborate closely with the 2 Graffiti-based selected artists.
- Develop new ideas, shadow and participate in sharing practices.
- Conclude with a public sharing session showcasing the collaborative ideas/experiences.
Phase 2: Remote Interim Residency – April/May
- Duration: Approx. 5 weeks between in-person blocks
- Activities:
- Independent research & development of work/ideas initiated in Phase 1.
- Access to Graffiti Theatre resources and space as needed.
- A commitment of 1–2 days per week (as a guideline) dedicated to ongoing self-directed R&D and active participation in the residency.
- Continue online collaboration between Graffiti and Starcatchers artists through scheduled networking sessions.
- Begin preparing for the collaborative presentation of work in progress in Phase 3.
Phase 3: Outbound Residency – Edinburgh, Scotland
- Location: Starcatchers, Edinburgh
- Dates: 24th May – 7th June 2026
- Activities:
- 2 artists from Graffiti travel to Edinburgh.
- Continue collaboration with Starcatchers artists to develop and refine work.
- Culminates in a final public presentation for an early years audience.
- Opportunity to visit Imaginate, Edinburgh’s international children’s festival.
Post-Residency
- Artists will engage in a feedback and reflection process, contributing to the final report assessing outcomes of the residency.
- This brings the residency to a close at the end of the 12-week period.
Residency Fee and Commitment
Residency Fee:
- Each artist will receive a total fee of €4,800 for participation in all phases of the residency (inbound, outbound, and remote).
- The fee will be paid in three instalments of €1,600: at the start, midway, and end of the residency.
- Accommodation and per diems for travelling artists are provided separately (see below).
Additional Support:
- Accommodation costs for the visiting artists during residency periods are organised and covered by the residency programme separate to the artist fee.
- Outbound travel (international travel) is organised and covered by the residency programme separate to the artist fee.
- While abroad, artists will receive a per diem of €40 per night in addition to the artist fee.
Key Artist Responsibilities:
- Fully engage in the collaborative creative process across all residency phases.
- Participate in structured development activities to enhance artistic practice.
- Contribute to public sharings, presentations, and engagement opportunities.
- Reflect on and document experiences to support project evaluation and legacy.
- Undertake self-directed research and development.
- Be willing to collaborate and generate ideas in a creative and supportive way.
- Be available to participate in the residency during the specified inbound and outbound residency blocks.
Please note: To align with climate-conscious practices, we propose a ‘sea & land’ slow travel approach, following Arts Council Climate Action & Performing Arts Forum Green Arts (IE & SCOT) Initiative guidance. This significantly reduces the programme’s carbon footprint, reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainable International collaboration.
To Apply
Applications are NOW OPEN to professional artists based in Cork with an emerging interest in Early Years Arts.
Deadline for Applications: FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER
Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e
For any queries or further information, please contact Rachel Doolin, Director of Graffiti BEAG, at beag@graffiti.ie
