Eleven NUI Galway students are taking part in an intensive two-week professional development programme at Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) this week.
SELECTED is NUI Galway and GIAF’s professional development programme for emerging artists, theatre makers, curators and producers studying at NUI Galway.
Previously open to NUI Galway students with an interest in the arts, including drama, film, music and writing, earlier this year it was expanded to students interested in business, including management, social media marketing and communications.
The programme gives students a chance to see how the festival is put together, with intimate meetings with GIAF staff, international and Irish producers and creative entrepreneurs and artists.
SELECTED students are also offered Festival Ambassador roles within the GIAF Volunteers’ Programme, where they are immersed in all aspects of the festival and shown how to advise audiences in choosing the right shows for them.
Social media training is also given to create content prior to the start of the festival.
Commenting on this year’s programme, SELECTED coordinator Rena Bryson said that his year marks the return of live SELECTED events, making the experience for this group even more special.
“In the summers that we’ve missed the Big Top, spectacular theatre and innovative visual arts, we’ve grown to appreciate GIAF and what it brings to Galway even more,” she said.
“The programme offers a chance to really experience the creativity and teamwork behind the scenes, as well as take in high quality national and international art.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience this group will always remember.”
Galway International Arts Festival CEO John Crumlish said that SELECTED is a key component of the partnership with NUI Galway and is now an important part of the festival.
“We are now seeing SELECTED alumni coming back to the festival in companies that are in the programme, which is a very positive outcome and something we intend to build on further,” he said.
