R.B.C

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Axis Ballymun are delighted to announce the launch of RBC Emerging Artists in Ireland, with four artists selected as the inaugural beneficiaries of the RBC Reducing Barriers to Creation: Programme 2022.

Regina Bachinska, Grace Odumosu, Áine O’Hara and Eithne Sweeney received a range of support and mentorship from RBC and Axis as they develop their practices and ideas.

The RBC Reducing Barriers to Creation: Programme is an investment in the artists’ processes. They receive a dedicated budget to help address some of the barriers that come with finding time or accessing development spaces, and are also able to access Axis’ arts centre facilities. In addition, they benefit from accessing Axis’ network of artists to find mentors, gain feedback and build their professional networks.

RBC has supported over 28,000 artists via RBC Emerging Artists. RBC supports organisations that provide the best opportunity to advance an artist’s career trajectory in genres such as visual arts, music, theatre, performance, literature and film. Every year the RBC Foundation donates millions of dollars to hundreds of arts organisations globally to help emerging artists become established.

Over the years, Axis has offered resources and production support to a range of artists, becoming a cultural hub on the Northside of Dublin and a space where artists and the public gather to encounter new work and new ideas. Since 2004 Axis has worked to develop and produce new writing and theatre making locally, nationally and internationally, while also facilitating the growth of hundreds of artists through their many programmes and initiatives.

Niamh Ní Chonchubhair, Axis’ Interim Director, said, “We’re so thrilled to be partnering with RBC on such a genuinely impactful programme that allows creatives time, space and additional accommodation to focus on their practice and ideas, and we’re very much looking forward to working with and hosting these four brilliant and dynamic artists in Axis.”

Gary O’Leary, Head of RBC Investor & Treasury Services Ireland, said, “RBC is delighted to be working with Axis Ballymun for the inaugural RBC Reducing Barriers to Creation Programme, supporting the next generation of artistic talent in Ireland. The creativity displayed by these emerging artists is incredible, and it’s so exciting to see what the future holds for them. We wish the artists every success throughout their creative journeys.”