Westmeath Arts Office Creative Ireland Grants 2023

Westmeath Arts Office Creative Ireland Grants 2023

Westmeath Arts Office Creative Ireland Grants 2023

About Creative Ireland

The Creative Ireland Programme is an all-of-Government initiative to place creativity at the centre of public policy. It is guided by a vision that every person in Ireland will have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential. Continuous engagement with the arts and culture is enormously beneficial for building creative capacities. Enhancing wellbeing, culture and creativity are essential features of an innovative society where the ability to conceptualise is more important than knowledge. An important aspect of the Creative Ireland programme is its collaborative nature - between national and local government, and as part of this each local authority has prepared a Culture and Creativity strategy to support this work.

Priorities of Westmeath County Council’s Culture & Creativity Strategy

We invite applications that specifically address one or more of the following strategic priorities:

  • Creative Industries: cultivate opportunities that connect with local industries, creative practitioners and communities, to support cultural and creativity activities that drive economic returns locally.
  • Diversity and Access: Facilitate the capacity of culture and creativity to innovate and collaborate in achieving priorities locally around social cohesion, greater health and wellbeing, with cognizance for the rural and urban makeup of the county, and the growing diversity of our communities.
  • Creative Youth: empower young people through cultural and creative processes and strategies to realise their potential and enhance individual potential.
  • Climate Action and Sustainability: Harness the power of culture and creativity to animate greater awareness, behavioural change and meaningful engagement on the profound environmental changes we are witnessing.
  • Westmeath Culture Team: support capacity building of the Culture and Creativity Teams to lead on the development of collaborative strategies of scale, that benefit the county and in the broadest sense its creative communities.

About the Open Call

The Westmeath Creative Ireland Open Call is a county-wide call to community groups, organisations, venues, artists, writers, performers, archaeologists, historians, archivists and everyone involved in the culture and creative sectors. The call encourages the development high quality creative projects and programmes which enable groups and individuals to realise their full creative potential and develop and encourage greater access, knowledge and appreciation of the arts, culture and heritage.

Process

Applicants will need to indicate that there is an online presence for their project, whatever is suitable to showcase the activity (upcoming/in process / booking / complete) for example  www., insta., fb., podcasts etc.
Applications can be developed by a community group, venue, or individuals with professional expertise in any creative or cultural arena such as visual or performing arts, literature, heritage or other culture areas.
A group may make the initial approach to a culture/creativity professional with a view to developing a project or visa-versa. The project may be designed to principally impact on those directly involved in the project or to have a broader reach, benefiting a wider community.
Proposals should illustrate clear planning in terms of concept, execution and timing. Successful proposals must have commenced June 3, 2023 at the latest and be fully complete by Oct 14, 2023 at the latest to adhere to funding requirements.
Provision of a mid-cycle report and active online link is mandatory for Creative Ireland in terms of their communications (end June 2023).
Successful applicants will be asked to submit a short press release and accompanying photos and links before this date.
Awards of between €750 and €7,500 are available within this scheme, based on the criteria outlined.
The quantity and value of awards will depend on available funding, number of applicants and the quality of applications (see criteria).
Payment to successful applicants will be made by electronic fund transfer only. Recipients of awards in excess of €2,000 may draw-down 50% of the award immediately following selection.
By Mid October 2023, all successful applicants must complete a final progress report and provide evidence that the project is complete, (photographs, press reviews, receipts).
PLEASE NOTE ANY GRANT RECIPIENTS PREVIOUSLY IN RECEIPT OF CREATIVE IRELAND FUNDING WHO DID NOT SUBMIT FEEDBACK FORMS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS FUND IN 2023.

Criteria

  • Quality, innovation and creativity of the planned project. (30%)
  • Track record: Ability and expertise of the group or individual to undertake and manage projects. (20%)
  • The feasibility and viability of project within the timeframe and budget allocated. (20%)
  • Sustainability, growth potential of project beyond 2023. (30%)

Examples of potential projects could include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Projects that encourage people, groups to explore their own creativity.
  • Projects that explore the arts, culture and heritage in creative and innovative ways.

We are open to project proposals that involve groups that have had little or no previous involvement in creativity and culture projects whether for any reason such as economic, geographic, or having lacked awareness or opportunity. In such instances we will endeavour to give whatever advice and assistance we can to ensure your project can achieve the best possible experience for everyone involved. 

How to Apply

Download a Westmeath Creative Ireland 2023 Application Form

Completed forms must be emailed to arts@westmeathcoco.ie on or before 12 noon, 8th March 2023.*

*N.B. Eligible submissions will receive email confirmation. If you do not receive email confirmation it is your responsibility to email or phone us to ensure that your submission has been successfully received.

For further informarion click HERE.