AIM (Artists in Motion) is a new pilot collaborative arts initiative developed by the Alternative Kilkenny Arts Festival (AKA) in 2026. The programme brings together practising artists from across Kilkenny to encourage collaboration, creative exchange, skill-sharing, and meaningful community engagement.
Through a programme of workshops, peer learning, creative development, and public presentations, AIM provides a supportive platform for artists to connect, experiment, and share their practices. The initiative celebrates the diverse creative voices that shape Kilkenny’s cultural landscape while fostering new relationships, ideas, and opportunities for artistic participation.
AIM is kindly supported by Creative Ireland.
Artists & Projects
Patrick McGlynn Live Coding Labs
Sound artist, composer, and creative coder Patrick McGlynn (Dr. Mindflip) leads a four‑week series introducing participants to live electronic music performance through code. Each session builds skills in rhythm, melody, visuals, and improvisation, culminating in a public showcase during AKA 2026.
Jade Butler Self‑Portrait Painting Workshops
Jade Butler Self‑Portrait Painting Workshops
Painter Jade Butler facilitates a series of oil‑painting workshops with young people at Ossory Youth. Participants develop layered self‑portraits from digital photographs, exploring identity, representation, and self‑curation. Completed works will be exhibited as part of AKA 2026.
Juana Robles & Michael Higgins Experimental Filmmaking
Filmmakers and Out of Focus (OoF) co‑founders Juana Robles and Michael Higgins lead a one‑day workshop in experimental 16mm filmmaking. Participants work directly on film stock using paint, scratching, and found footage to create a collaborative moving‑image piece for presentation during AKA 2026.
How to Participate
AIM offers a small number of public workshops as part of the 2026 programme.
Participation details vary by project:
- Sign‑up is available only for Patrick McGlynn’s Live Coding Labs and Juana & Michael’s Experimental Filmmaking Workshop.
- Places are limited and advance registration is required.
- Youth workshops (e.g., Jade Butler at Ossory Youth) are delivered through partner organisations and are not open for public sign‑up.
- All general enquiries about AIM or participation should be directed to hello@akafringe.com
If you would like to take part in one of the public AIM workshops, please follow the registration links provided above on the AKA website or contact us directly.