Professional Development

Emma O’Kane Bursary

The Emma O’Kane Bursary provides an unbounded opportunity for artists to explore and embrace dance, movement or a physical language in their work, and in that process to develop new competencies, to build their creative confidence and to enhance their understanding and connections across art form areas and contexts.

ABOUT 

The Emma O’Kane Bursary is a new award for independent artists who want to think beyond the boundaries of their art form and practice and to explore dance or a physical language in their work.  It honours the exceptional ethos and artistic practice of artist Emma O’Kane who died in 2021.

Emma O'Kane was an exceptionally gifted artist who moved effortlessly across artforms and media as a performer, a choreographer and a participation project leader. She was passionate, professional and highly articulate about interdisciplinary performance, holding a first-class honours degree in Contemporary Dance Performance (MA) from the University of Limerick. 

Emma brought joy to all those with whom she worked.  No matter how difficult or dark the material she could introduce light. A consummate team player, as evidenced by her core contributions to CoisCéim and ANU, she was also fiercely independent. Before her untimely death Emma had embarked on a new phase of discovery and development in her practice, concentrating on self-authored work. 

Professional Development

Emma O’Kane Benefit

Special evening honoured Emma O'Kane's unique artistry, with proceeds being donated to the bursary founded in her name