TRADE was a visual arts programme which provided knowledge, resources and opportunities for visual artists to develop their practice and engage internationally. TRADE emphasised that art is a global construct and encouraged a free-flow of ideas and opportunities relating to how artists at a ‘local’ level engage internationally, as well as how ‘international’ artists engage at the local level.
The programme was developed by Leitrim and Roscommon County Council Arts Offices and Visual Leitrim to invite the best international visual art practitioners to present their work and develop projects here in these two counties. TRADE also encouraged artists to become involved in international arts practice and provided the tools and information necessary to do so.
Following on from Artist as Traveler in 2004, TRADE consisted of two elements – a residency programme and a seminar event, which occurred on alternate years.