PhD Study : Catalyst Arts: Impact of 25 Years of Creative Exchanges and Artists Collectives in Northern Ireland

Summary

2018 marks the 25th year of Catalyst Arts in Belfast, an artist run organisation at the heart of the contemporary visual arts in Northern Ireland. Through this platform artists and cultural activists have exemplified the open and shared meanings of collaborative art practice, expanded the social space of public art through civil engagement and participation and interrogating practices around cultural archives and histories in Northern Ireland. From and alongside numerous creative exchanges and artist collectives/organisations have emerged to provide a significant proportion of the visual arts infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

Applications are invited for the PhD project that investigates this open and shared meaning of collaboration and the history, legacy and impact of artists collectives and initiatives on creative and cultural industries and enhancing social, economic and improving quality of life in Northern Ireland.

The project aims to assess the different forms of creative collaborations and collectives and evaluate the impact of their contribution on art and artists as well as the broader cultural industries and socio-economic context. It is expected that the project will focus mainly on Catalyst Arts through its archive and community of ex-directors, collaborators and partners. A series of in-depth interviews will be undertaken with current and ex-directors spanning the 25 years of the organisations history. This research builds on extensive research and activity in this field and we are interested in receiving proposals to develop a body of research (either a combination of visual and text-based research, or a solely text-based research proposal) for a three-year full time PhD.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living