Funding for art projects for 2018 now open

WICKLOW County Arts Office is seeking applications for funding from artists and arts organisations to collaboratively develop and deliver new projects of high quality and impact during 2018.

The strategic projects initiative is now in its fifth year and examples of projects realised in 2017 include a short film written and produced by playwright Sinead O’ Loughlin, an arts in business residency by Sven Anderson took up residence in a commercial outlet in Bray and an Art and Philosophy series in local primary schools by Jennie Guy, Katy Fitzpatrick and philosopher Aislinn O’ Donnell.

Wicklow Arts Office is particularly interested to hear from national resource organisations, individual curators and artist collectives who can propose projects which will nurture arts practice, connect, generate new perspectives and support a diversity of approach.

This programme is open to individuals and organisations from all over Ireland across all arts disciplines. The Arts Office would particularly welcome applications in the areas of literature, film, dance, artist development, music and visual arts.

The Arts Office is open to all imaginative projects and examples might include development of artist collectives, inter-regional collaborations and public participation initiatives. Applications are welcomed from artists and arts organisations where the support forms part of a wider budgetary framework and in such cases, applicants are asked to specify complementary sources of income which may contribute to the application.

The total amount of the fund available is subject to finalisation of the Council’s own funding for 2017 but is likely to be a maximum of €30,000 over each year of the two years of the programme. The Arts Office may fund up to four individual projects to a maximum of €15,000 as a result of this call.

Applications are assessed based on artistic merit, impact on arts practice, development and participation, quality of proposal, track record of applicant, financial and operational feasibility (with particular reference to likelihood or evidence of other necessary finance being available)

The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday, July 18.