UCD’s College of Arts and Humanities is delighted to announce the 2026–27 TRAPDOOR Dance Artist in Residence Scheme, supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Arts Office, UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy, Creative Futures Academy, and UCD Ad Astra Academy Performing Arts.

Established through a partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Arts Office, the residency will support a dance artist to develop their practice, test new concepts and materials, and explore ideas.

The part-time, flexible residency runs from late November 2026 to 1 December 2027 and includes an artist fee of €15,000. Applications close 1 October 2026 at 5pm. Shortlisted artists must be available for an online interview on the morning of 16 October 2026.

Photo Credit:
Photo by: Fearghus Ó Conchúir
Performer Isabella Oberländer in research with Fearghus Ó Conchúir

A flexible performance venue and specialised learning space, with semi-sprung floor, full

lighting and sound fit-out; staging/performance equipment.
● There are basic lighting adjustments available. Stage lighting may only be adjusted
with a dedicated, specialist technician with expertise, within the costs provided as part
of the residency.
● A Marley floor cover is also available for us in the space. It must be installed and
deinstalled by individuals with such expertise, within the costs provided as part of the
residency.
● The artist will receive an orientation to the use of the space. No other tech support is
provided.
Dates available for use:
Advanced booking will be required. Space may be booked, up to 2 weeks (day-times,
Mondays through Fridays only) from

● 30 November – 18 December 2026. There are two dates (one during week of 30 th
Nov, as well as the date of Dec 10 th where some use of the space will be required, but
in consultation with the dance artist in residence).
● 19 July –30 July 2027
● Other use of the space outside that time frame may be possible. Availability will be
subject to booking

A flexible open space with gym (not semi-sprung) floor, dance mirrors, open window ventilation, and some furniture that can be moved.

Dates available for use:

Advanced booking will be required. Studio is available from

• 30 November – 4 December 2026
• Likely availability during 8–12 March or 15–19 March 2027
• Limited additional dates may be available

With  a seat capacity of 125, and sprung performance area and 2 dressing rooms, the Studio at dlr LexIcon is a versatile space and is perfect for presentations, workshops, or as a black box performance space . The tiered seating can be retracted to create a full open plan area.

The space may be used as a rehearsal or testing space, or showcase of work in progress, Tech support for the space will be available for public display of work only.

Dates available for use:

Advanced booking will be required. Studio available (anytime of day, Monday through Sunday). To support this residency, the studio is available for your sole use, for workshops, rehearsal or public performance up to a max of 5 days in total over the residency period, and no more than 3 days in a row. The Studio is available to book seven days a week but closes for all public and bank holidays.

As the studio books up very quickly, agreeing your use of the space early with dlr Arts Office is strongly encouraged. You are not required to use the Studio at dlr LexIcon, its available as an extra, off campus facility as an additional resource in support for the residency.

Adjacent to the TRAPDOOR, this is  a state-of-the-art suite of audio/visual media equipment to support digital content creation including cameras, microphones, projectors and editing workstations. Advanced booking will be required with Dunk Murphy, Digital Creativity Support.