THE Burren College Of Art is this weekend the venue for the 1997 conference of the US-based Association Of Independent Colleges Of Art And Design phone 01 2858639/ 065 77200 for details . . . Tomorrow is the closing date for applicants for the following jobs at the Arts Council arts officer (local arts development); consultant (architecture and policy); executive assistant (bursaries administration; international arts; and internal administration and information services; and arts, officer (literature: temporary contract) ... Marina Carr's wonderful play, The Mai, previews from April 24th at London's Tricycle Theatre - expect another Irish star to rise in London ... The deadline for the Cork Arts, Theatre's one act play competition is May 1st - phone Aoife on 021 508398... - Waltons School of Music, Dublin, is running new jazz and traditional music appreciation courses from next week - phone 01 4781884 for details . . . The celebrated percussionist, Tommy Hayes, will give the final Artspeak lecture at the Hunt Museum, on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ... The Milwaukee Irish Arts Festival in mid May is looking for one act play submissions for its Black Shamrock Award - the prize is 500, the plays must be no more than 40 minutes in duration and touch the subjects of Irish exile and emigration, the Irish American Experience or Irish tradition versus universal modernity (sorry?). Send entries to Milwaukee Irish Arts, PO. Box 17141, Milwaukee WI 53217 by April 25th...