NAVIGATOR Artist in Residence Sarah Grimes announced for Crescent Arts Centre this September, 2024

IMC’s Navigator Jazz Residency programme was established in 2021. Since then 19 musicians have enjoyed bespoke residencies through venue partners Riverbank Arts Centre Newbridge, Ballina Arts Centre, The Source Arts Centre Thurles, An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny, and Courthouse Arts Tinahely and Garter Lane, Waterford.

NAVIGATOR offers jazz and improvising musicians professionally remunerated time and space to develop and perform work, while building creative and professional relationships in new locations.

Sarah Grimes is an interdisciplinary drummer based between Dublin and Waterford. Her work spans across post-punk, folk, experimental and improvised music. Grimes co-founded post-punk group Grave Goods. She also performs with Rising Damp Band and Brigid Mae Power. Sarah has released several records throughout her career with her current and former bands including September Girls and Cruising. She also features on releases by various artists including Katie Kim. Sarah has played at festivals and venues across Ireland, Europe, India, the UK and US. In addition to creating work in bands, Sarah is interested in exploring ways that drums can be used across interdisciplinary mediums. In recent years she has collaborated with several visual artists whose works have been shown and performed in the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Project Arts Centre, Hugh Lane Gallery, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios. Recent work includes sound performances at Cork Midsummer Festival (2024, Commissioned by The Glucksman) and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios (2024). Sarah is currently a musician partner with Improvising Across Boundaries, a research project funded by Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council (2024 - 2027).

Ahead of her Navigator residency, Sarah said:

“I am thrilled to have been selected for IMC’s Navigator Residency at Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast. I have a collection of ideas for drums that I will use the time and space to develop further. As well as developing my ideas, I have plans for some collaborative sessions with some great local musicians that I am really looking forward to. There’s a lot happening at the Crescent and in Belfast while I'm there and I'm excited to have the opportunity to meet with local performers and artists, and participate in the many events happening throughout my stay.”

Sophie Hayles, Crescent Arts Centre CEO said: “As an Arts Centre one of our favourite things is welcoming artists! We think Sarah’s work as a drummer is fabulous, and her experience of working with other musicians and across art forms is really inspiring. The collaboration with IMC enables us to create what we hope will be a rewarding and fun residency for Sarah and for Belfast.”

The NAVIGATOR residency programme is part of IMC's commitment to further develop the national scene for jazz and improvised music, improve artist touring mobility, develop audiences nationwide, and develop creative opportunities and fruitful new relationships for musicians.

The 2024 Navigator jazz residency programme has been expanded to 7 partners across the island of Ireland, with Garter Lane, Waterford, Riverbank Theatre, Newbridge and Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast joining the initial 4 other partners.

Further NAVIGATOR artist residencies for 2024 will be announced in due course.

IMC: improvisedmusic.ie
Crescent Arts Centre: crescentarts.org
Sarah Grimes s_grimes_drums