TD Commissions 2022 is delighted to announce Roisín Whelan, recipient of TD fellowship 2021, as this year’s commissioned dance artist. Her new creation, The Galaxy of Occupations, is a piece for young children that will be performed in primary schools for TD International Festival 2022.

Artistic Statement by Roisín Whelan:

“The Galaxy of Occupations brings forward the question that was planted on the mind of countless children: What do you want to be when you grow up? An Astronaut? A Brain Surgeon? The President!

This work is inspired by a children’s poem by author and teacher Áine Murray and will be created and performed in collaboration with two dancers, on an original musical score by composer Aoife Kavanagh.

The commission will be created with children in mind and designed to be performed in non-conventional spaces and schools. The Galaxy of Occupations promises to be an exciting, energetic, and exhilarating performance that reaches for the stars. The performance will include text and can be presented in both Irish and English.”

Commissioned by Tipperary Dance and a Production Commission from Dublin City Council Creative Hubs.

Research and development for this production was funded by an Arts Council of Ireland Dance Bursary Award, 2020 and supported by Tipperary Dance Fellowship 2020.