A programme I invented with Irish Theatre Institute that uses hospitality, kindness, and deep hanging out to weave communities of artists and arts workers together. Pairs of artists based in Europe visit each other to learn about each others’ practices and creative communities, while being integrally involved in the planning and designing of each others’ visits. A question of what it means to be a good host, and what it means to be a good guest.

The first and second editions took place in summer 2023 and summer 2025. To date we have worked with four international partner organisations: Bluecoat, Liverpool; Irish Classical Theatre, Buffalo; Spring Performing Arts Festival, Utrecht; and Viernulvier, Gent.

Following on from Gap Day (developed with Mermaid Arts Centre), Gap Exchange was developed from the same basic principles:
– that artists are experts and know what they need better than anyone
– that spending time together informally is a powerful way to make connections
– that hospitality enriches both host and guest
– that well-designed, small-scale interactions can have lasting positive impacts on the practices of everyone involved.

In 2023, each artist hosted their counterpart in their home town (Birr, Cork, Galway, Gent, Liverpool, Longford, Utrecht and Waterford) and designed visits that dove into the local arts scene. The programme prioritised local engagement outside of capital cities and embedded flexible support to ensure all artists could take part equally. We also found as many ways as possible to connect with and include other artists locally – whether it was hosting workshops, going on thinking time walks, or simply having a pint or a coffee together.

I got to go on some of the visits. They were superb. Here’s some of the activities programmed by the artists for each other: