RIG Arts Job Opportunity (1 of 2): 

Artist Residency – Galoshans Festival 2025

Residency for Galoshans Festival, Inverclyde

Funded by Creative Scotland

Contact: info@rigarts.org, 01475 910 337

About the Role:

As part of the Multi-Year Programme Fund from Creative Scotland, RIG Arts is offering a unique artist residency opportunity to be delivered as part of our 2025 Galoshans Festival Programme (17th – 31st October 2025). This is an open-call opportunity for artists to develop their creative practice and make a meaningful impact on the community. There is no set theme for this residency, allowing you to use this platform to explore, experiment, and engage the community in your work.

We are seeking proposals that align with the ethos of the Galoshans Festival, celebrating creativity, culture, and community. This bursary is designed to support artists looking to expand their practice while contributing to the vibrancy of Inverclyde’s artistic landscape.

Project Overview:

Through a sustained programme of socially engaged residencies and bursaries, RIG will utilise Creative Scotland Multi Year Funding to build upon the strong foundation and momentum established throughout years of community focused delivery. Artists will develop new work in response to the theme of ‘Galoshans’.

The residency is designed to offer an artist opportunity develop their own practice creating new work, while making valuable community connections with groups traditionally facing

barriers to access. The residency’s theme, artistic medium and delivery plan will be determined by the successful artist with support from RIG Arts.

Inverclyde Context:

Greenock Town Centre and East Central Greenock, where RIG Arts office and

studio is based, is the most deprived area in the whole of Scotland. 45% of Inverclyde

datazones fall within the 20% most deprived, the highest percentage of all local authorities

in Scotland. (SIMD2020) Inequalities and mental health are ongoing concerns in the area. It is important that all engagement offers inclusive access to high quality cultural activities at no cost.

RIG Studio offers a valuable base for engagement. A central creative hub and easily accessible via public transport from all boroughs of Inverclyde. Supporting artists with space, community, resources, and equipment. RIG Art Flat offers space for engagement as well as accommodation, allowing artists to base themselves in Inverclyde.

Artist Residency Focus:

The artist residency seeks applicants from artists with diverse creative practices and a deep understanding of how the arts can positively impact the community. We invite artists to submit proposals for socially engaged work, outlining their approach, objectives, relation to Galoshans and potential impact on the community. For commissioned and collaborating artists, strong weight will be given to those with exemplary practices in sustainability and equalities.

Galoshans Festival:

A celebration of creativity with community at its heart

The Galoshans Festival in Inverclyde, Scotland, is a revived tradition that harks back to ancient customs surrounding Halloween and Samhain. Historically, “Galoshans” refers to the practice of guising and mumming, where performers would go door-to-door acting out plays in exchange for food or money, particularly around the Halloween season. These performances often depicted themes of death and rebirth, reflecting the festival’s roots in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the onset of winter. 

The festival saw a decline over the 20th century but has been revitalised in recent years, incorporating elements of theatre, art, and community engagement to celebrate Inverclyde’s cultural heritage. Today, the Galoshans Festival blends traditional customs with contemporary arts, featuring parades, performances, and workshops that draw both locals and visitors into the vibrant spirit of the season.

www.galoshansfestival.co.uk @galoshansfest

Timescale:

  • The residency will be delivered across August/September/October 2025 (flexible, 8 weeks, 20hrs/wk) 
  • With a public showcase/delivery at Galoshans Festival 2025 (17th – 31st October 2025).

Additional Information:

Stipend: 

The selected artist will receive a stipend for their residency, commensurate with the duration and scope of the project. This will be £800 per week for work equivalent to 20 hours per week. 

Total Fee: £6,400 

Materials

Any materials required can be provided through RIG Arts by request from the artist. 

Total materials budget: £1,500

Access

RIG Arts actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, gender orientations and stories to join us and influence and develop our working practice. We have a designated Access Budget, If you require specific access needs to facilitate your application or to enable you to take part in the residency, please do get in touch with Beth at info@rigarts.org with any queries and to discuss how we might best support your needs. Let us know if you require this application in other formats or if we can make this opportunity more accessible to you.


Expectations: 

  • Your hours can be worked flexibly across the week including working remotely, although it is expected that a proportion of your hours appropriate to your proposal are spent working in location in Inverclyde and with the community. 
  • Present your residency work as part of Galoshans Festival (17th – 31st October 2025). This could take the form of a sharing of a work in progress, a talk or discussion, sharing of research, a filmed work or a different kind of event or contribution proposed by the artist.
  • The selected artist will need to be self-employed, have full Public Liability Insurance and apply for a PVG/Enhanced Disclosure through RIG Arts (Scottish Law Change effective April 1st 2025).
  • All work must relate strongly to the theme of Galoshans. The artist will define what participatory means within their practice. 

This can include:

  • Support and Empowerment: Using your skills to support, teach, and empower participants to create their own work.
  • Collaborative Design: Engaging with participants to inform the design, while the final output is ultimately the artist’s design.
  • Artist-Led Vision: Executing your undiluted vision, with participants supporting the creation process through accessible forms of making.

Each approach should involve meaningful engagement with the community and contribute to the overall theme of Galoshans.

Support

RIG are able to connect contracted artists with the community, enable & facilitate positive relationships, create space for meaningful dialogue & collaboration as an established community based organisation.

How to Apply:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest can be submitted via typed/written word or by video or audio recording. Please submit your expression of interest by the 26th of May via Google Form – https://forms.gle/3yx1fkNz2bsiTMgP6. If you need to contact us for / with further information, please email with the subject ‘Inverclyde Galoshans Artist Residency’. Applicants will hear back by the 2nd of June. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to respond back to all applicants with feedback.

Interested artists should submit written or video proposals to the Google Form that include the following information as well as contact information, phone number and email address:

Project Plans:

  • Clearly outline your proposed socially engaged activity, outcomes, and outputs.
  • Specify the creative practice or practices involved.

Group Interaction:

  • Describe how you plan to engage with the target group(s) during the project.
  • Describe the environment you wish to create through interactive elements and group dynamics.

Galoshans:

  • Explain how your proposal supports the Galoshans Festival 2025.
  • Provide insights into the community aspects of your proposed activities.

Audience:

  • Identify the demographic(s) or community group(s) you aim to work with.
  • Explain why this group is relevant and your proposed workshops.

Community Participation:

  • Detail how you plan to collaborate with the community in Inverclyde.
  • Share your vision for community involvement in the creative process.

Stage 2: Further Conversation

After submitting your expression of interest, we will be in touch to let you know if we are interested in exploring your ideas further. We may ask you to elaborate on your idea or enter into a dialogue with us to answer any questions we may have. Again, we are committed to making the hiring process as accessible as possible and will endeavour to conduct this conversation in a way that works for you.

We will let all applicants know at both stages whether they have been successful in moving through to Stage 2 or in being hired as the Residency Artist. Sadly due to limited hours we cannot give each applicant reasons for unsuccessful applications.

Please let us know if we can make any other accommodations for submitting your expression of interest.

Submission Deadline:

Applications must be submitted by 26th of May.

Open Call for Artists:

This document serves as an open call for artists interested in contributing to Galoshans Festival 2025 through a socially engaged residency. We look forward to receiving innovative proposals that inspire and empower the Inverclyde community.

If you have questions or need further information, contact Beth at info@rigarts.org. 

RIG Arts Job Opportunity (2 of 2): 

Artist Bursary (x2) – Galoshans Street Party 2025

Bursary (x2) for Galoshans Festival, Inverclyde – Street Party on 30th October 2025

Funded by Creative Scotland

Contact: info@rigarts.org, 01475 910 337

Opportunity Overview:

As part of the Multi-Year Programme Fund from Creative Scotland, RIG Arts is excited to announce two unique artist bursary opportunities to be delivered as part of our 2025 Galoshans – Street Party on 30th October 2025. This is an open-call opportunity for artists to develop their creative practice and make a meaningful impact on the community. There is no set theme for these bursaries, allowing you to use this platform to explore, experiment, and engage the community in your work.

We are seeking proposals that align with the ethos of the Galoshans Festival, celebrating creativity, culture, and community. These bursaries are designed to support artists looking to expand their practice while contributing to the vibrancy of Inverclyde’s artistic landscape.

Focus of the Bursary:

We invite artists of all disciplines to submit proposals that focus on developing their own practice while fostering community engagement. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, installation artist, or performance artist, this is your opportunity to explore new ideas and approaches. A requirement of this bursary is that we would like the selected artists to present your work as part of Galoshans Festival Street Party (30th October 2025). This could take the form of a sharing of a work in progress, performance, walkabout, installation, puppet/sculpture, sharing of research, or a different kind of event or contribution proposed by the artist.

Artists will be encouraged to engage with the Inverclyde community, bringing creativity into public spaces and enriching the cultural life of the area. Your project should aim to reflect the community’s values, experiences, or stories, contributing to a shared sense of identity and belonging. There are no restrictions on medium or materials – we want to see your most original ideas!

Galoshans Festival:

A celebration of creativity with community at its heart

The Galoshans Festival in Inverclyde, Scotland, is a revived tradition that harks back to ancient customs surrounding Halloween and Samhain. Historically, “Galoshans” refers to the practice of guising and mumming, where performers would go door-to-door acting out plays in exchange for food or money, particularly around the Halloween season. These performances often depicted themes of death and rebirth, reflecting the festival’s roots in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the onset of winter. The festival saw a decline over the 20th century but has been revitalised in recent years, incorporating elements of theatre, art, and community engagement to celebrate Inverclyde’s cultural heritage. Today, the Galoshans Festival blends traditional customs with contemporary arts, featuring parades, performances, and workshops that draw both locals and visitors into the vibrant spirit of the season.

Galoshans Festival Street Party:

The festival culminates in the highly anticipated Galoshans Street Party, which this year will be taking place on Thursday 30th October (6-8 pm) at Custom House Square, East India Harbour and Beacon Arts Centre. Featuring live music, performances, the Galoshans Street Band (part of Inverclyde’s Youth Music Initiative), the Galoshans Giants, Arts & Crafts, Immersive Sensory Art Bus, FacePainting, DJ/Music and projections (TBC).

www.galoshansfestival.co.uk @galoshansfest

Timescale:

  • The bursaries will be delivered across September/October (flexible, 2 weeks, 20hrs/wk) 
  • With a public showcase/delivery at Galoshans Festival, Street Party on October 30th 2025.

The bursaries will run over a period of two weeks, with flexible working hours to suit your project and community involvement. Exact dates will be agreed upon between the successful candidate and RIG Arts.  

Additional Information:

Stipend: 

The selected artist will receive a stipend for their residency, commensurate with the duration and scope of the project. This is £800 per week x 2 weeks for work equivalent to 20 hours per week. 

Total Fee: £1,600 

Materials: Any materials required for the workshops can be provided through RIG Arts by request from the artist. 

Total materials budget £500.

Access

RIG Arts actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, gender orientations and stories to join us and influence and develop our working practice. We have a designated Access Budget, If you require specific access needs to facilitate your application or to enable you to take part in the residency, please do get in touch with Beth at info@rigarts.org with any queries and to discuss how we might best support your needs. Let us know if you require this application in other formats or if we can make this opportunity more accessible to you.

Expectations: 

  • Your hours can be worked flexibly across the weeks including working remotely, although it is expected that a proportion of your hours appropriate to your proposal are spent working in location in Inverclyde and with the community. 
  • Present your residency work as part of Galoshans Festival Street Party (30th October 2025). This could take the form of a sharing of a work in progress, performance, walkabout, installation, puppet/sculpture, sharing of research, or a different kind of event or contribution proposed by the artist.
  • The selected artist will need to be self-employed, have full Public Liability Insurance and apply for a PVG/Enhanced Disclosure through RIG Arts (Scottish Law Change effective April 1st 2025).
  • Artists are expected to develop and deliver a project that benefits the community, engages local residents, and culminates in a public display, event, or workshop.
  • All work must relate strongly to the theme of Galoshans. The artist will define what participatory means within their practice. 

This can include:

  • Support and Empowerment: Using your skills to support, teach, and empower participants to create their own work.
  • Collaborative Design: Engaging with participants to inform the design, while the final output is ultimately the artist’s design.
  • Artist-Led Vision: Executing your undiluted vision, with participants supporting the creation process through accessible forms of making.

Each approach should involve meaningful engagement with the community and contribute to the overall theme of Galoshans.

Support

RIG are able to connect contracted artists with the community, enable & facilitate positive relationships, create space for meaningful dialogue & collaboration as an established community based organisation.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest can be submitted via typed/written word or by video or audio recording. Please submit your expression of interest by the 26th of May via Google Form –https://forms.gle/uPp99DDBtW8gznZbA. If you need to contact us for / with further information, please email with the subject ‘Inverclyde Galoshans Artist Bursary’. Applicants will hear back by the 2nd of June. Sadly we do not have the capacity to respond back to all applicants with feedback.

Interested artists should submit written or video proposals to the Google Form that include the following information as well as contact information, phone number and email address:

Project Plans:

  • Clearly outline your proposed socially engaged activity, outcomes, and outputs.
  • Specify the creative practice or practices involved.

Group Interaction:

  • Describe how you plan to engage with the target group(s) during the project.
  • Describe the environment you wish to create through interactive elements and group dynamics.

Galoshans:

  • Explain how your proposal supports the Galoshans Festival 2025.
  • Provide insights into the community aspects of your proposed activities.

Audience:

  • Identify the demographic(s) or community group(s) you aim to work with.
  • Explain why this group is relevant and your proposed workshops.

Community Participation:

  • Detail how you plan to collaborate with the community in Inverclyde.
  • Share your vision for community involvement in the creative process.

Stage 2: Further Conversation

After submitting your expression of interest, we will be in touch to let you know if we are interested in exploring your ideas further. We may ask you to elaborate on your idea or enter into a dialogue with us to answer any questions we may have. Again, we are committed to making the hiring process as accessible as possible and will endeavour to conduct this conversation in a way that works for you.

We will let all applicants know at both stages whether they have been successful in moving through to Stage 2 or in being hired as one of the two Bursary Artists. Sadly due to limited capacity we cannot give each applicant reasons for unsuccessful applications.

Please let us know if we can make any other accommodations for submitting your expression of interest.

Submission Deadline:

Applications must be submitted by 26th of May.

Open Call for Artists:

This bursary offers artists the chance to explore new creative avenues while making a lasting impact on the community. We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals and seeing how you can contribute to the vibrant legacy of the Galoshans Festival.

If you have any questions, please contact Beth at info@rigarts.org.

This call-out aligns with the Galoshans Festival’s spirit of creativity and community, offering artists the freedom to develop their practice in a meaningful way.

Vacancies at RIG Arts Ltd.

Thank you for visiting the vacancies page of RIG Arts Ltd., a dynamic UK-based arts organisation deeply rooted in our local community. We appreciate your interest and are excited to share potential opportunities for you to become a part of our creative journey.

We have no vacancies right now but regularly have positions for up-coming creative projects & artists residencies.

We are always looking for creative talent and welcome CV’s from both experienced candidates and those recently graduated looking to work in community arts. Please forward your information to info@rigarts.org