International Storytelling Residency – YARN Storytelling Festival 2026

Mermaid Arts Centre in partnership with La Maison Du Conte are delighted to publish an open call for an oral storyteller in residence in November 2026 as part of the YARN Storytelling Festival.

About the YARN Storytelling Festival at Mermaid Arts Centre

The YARN Storytelling Festival is an annual oral storytelling festival curated and presented by Mermaid Arts Centre each November. Now in its 17th year, the festival has continued to evolve, with recent programmes introducing new artist residency and commissioning initiatives that support the development of oral storytelling practice in Co. Wicklow and across Ireland. 

For the first time, YARN will partner with La Maison du Conte to offer a two-week oral storytelling residency in France for an Ireland-based professional storyteller, selected through an open call. This new international collaboration reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to nurturing oral storytellers, fostering creative exchange, and expanding opportunities for the development of the art form.

About our residency partner La Maison du Conte

Founded in 1993, La Maison du Conte is a reference for storytelling in France. It aims to promote and develop the art of telling stories by supporting and presenting the creation of new work, by providing resources for training and research to both the professional and local communities. At the heart of artistic project, the “Labs” offer professional storytellers essential space to research collectively and to question their practice.

Artist Selection

This residency is exclusively for artists working in oral storytelling. It provides dedicated time and space for oral storytelling artists to reflect, create, develop new ideas, experiment, and expand their storytelling practice. The residency is intended as a space for exploration and creative development therefore there is no expectation for the selected artist to produce a finished piece of work or deliver a performance at the end of the residency. However, we encourage the selected storyteller to use this opportunity to connect with both organisations, share insights into their creative practice, and reflect on how the experience has supported and enriched their work.

Applicants must be:

Over 18 at the time of application and be able to demonstrate evidence of professional practice.

Insurance

Please note that the successful applicant is required to have their own international travel and health insurance and relevant travel visas in place prior to the residency.

Artist selection and feedback

The residency is open to one oral storyteller.

Unfortunately it is not possible to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Information about the residency:

Open call published: 28th July 2026

Application deadline: 21st August 2026

Successful storyteller notified week commencing: 31st August 2026.

Residency Dates: Sunday 1st – Sunday 15th November 2026

Please note residency dates are fixed and cannot be moved.

Location: La Maison du Conte. La Maison du Conte is located in Chevilly-Larue, a city of the Val de Marne - 30 min away from Paris.


Items payable to Artist Amount Detail

Artist Fee €750 per week (€1,500 total fees for residency) Fees for two-week residency

Per diems €30 per day (€300 total per diems). Covers subsistence Monday to Friday during residency

Transportation Flights and bus transfers Circa €500 Includes return flights from Ireland and bus transfers to airport

Accommodation Paid directly by Mermaid Arts Centre For two weeks in Chevilly-Larue close to La Maison Du Conte. Booked by residency partners


Equal Opportunities

Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre is an equal opportunity partner and employer and welcomes applications from professional storytelling artists from all sections of of the community. Mermaid is committed to diversity in our working practices and engagement with artists and to supporting professional development opportunities for artists. We particularly encourage applications from members of groups who are underrepresented in the sector. If you have any access requirements or additional needs, please let us know and we will find a way to support and facilitate your application. We are committed to providing as much support as possible to individuals. Mermaid is core funded by Wicklow County Council and the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Applying for the residency (google form)

We want to keep the application process as simple as possible, so we only ask a few questions. However, we encourage you to answer them as fully as you can, as this helps us gain a fuller understanding of your practice, your work to date, and why you believe this residency would benefit your artistic development.

You can access the Google Form here.

For any application queries contact our Creative Producer Danielle Lynch at danielle@mermaidartscentre.ie

Unfortunately, we are unable to assess incomplete applications.