Funding FAQs

There is no limit to the number of applications that can be made under any of the awards for artists in any one year regardless of whether a grant has been awarded in a previous round. Applicants should note that the maximum amount that will be granted under the Bursary Award is €15,000 in any one year.

The Find Funding Tool helps you search through the different types of funding available from the Arts Council. You will be asked three questions to refine your search.

1. What best describes you? For example, are you an artist, an arts organisation, a local authority, or a small festival?

2. What artform or arts practice would you like funding for? Some funding is specific to an artform or arts practice while other funding can be applied for by any artform or arts practice. For example, Splanc! which provides funding for documentaries in Irish is for film only, while Projects: New Work can be applied for by practitioners in any artform or arts practice.

3. How much do you want to apply for?

In 2009 there are five types of funding for arts organisations.

• Annual Programming Grants: grants offered annually as a contribution towards the associated costs of an artistic programme.
• Annual Funding: funding offered as a contribution towards operational and programming costs on an annual basis.
• Regular Funding: funding offered as a contribution towards operational and programming costs. In certain cases, funding may be offered in advance for a period longer than one year.
• Small Festivals Scheme: based on a continuation of the current scheme, funding up to a fixed level will be aimed primarily at local events and festivals.
• Projects: Once Off Awards: project style funding for production and/or presentation of work in a range of artforms.

For further details of these and other funding that may be available to arts organisation please use our Find Funding Tool.

Individual applicants must have been born in, or be resident in, the Republic of Ireland. ‘Residency’ is based upon the following definition used by the Revenue Commissioners (in which Ireland means the Republic of Ireland):

You will be considered resident in Ireland, in a given year, in either of the following circumstances:

• If you spend 183 days or more in Ireland in a calendar year (1 January - 31 December)
  OR
• If you spend 280 days or more in Ireland over two consecutive years. In this case you will be considered resident for the second year. However, for this condition to apply you must spend a minimum of 30 days in Ireland in both of the tax years.

Examples:

1. If you spend 140 days in the Republic of Ireland in year one and 150 days in year two, you are considered resident in year two. 
2.  If you spend 365 days in the Republic of Ireland in year one and 10 days in year two, you will not be considered resident in year two.

• For the Commissions Award, either the artist or the commissioner must fulfil this residency criterion.
• Residents of Northern Ireland are not eligible to apply for Arts Council awards unless born in the Republic of Ireland.

The Arts Council is redeveloping its website for online applications. The website will launch in March 2010.

As indicated in the Arts Council’s brochure, Support for Artists 2008, the ‘Come and See’ element of the Travel Training Award will become part of the support services offered by Culture Ireland from 1 June 2008. After this date all enquiries and requests for support should be directed to Culture Ireland (contact details below) rather than the Arts Council.

The ‘Come and See’ initiative enables individuals and organisations to apply for funding to invite arts professionals from abroad to visit them. This allows for international arts professionals (e.g. producers, presenters, curators, critics) to travel to Ireland to see/experience the work of the applicant. The host individual or organisation may apply for the cost of travel and accommodation for the international guest(s). Payment will be made after the visit and only upon submission of receipts. Applicants must state whom they wish to invite and provide a rationale for the proposed visit (including desired outcome). Please note that while the invited visitor is encouraged to engage in other activities while in Ireland (e.g. giving lectures, leading workshops), the primary purpose must be to experience the work of the host individual or organisation for a specific purpose.

With the exception of ‘Come and See’, all other aspects of the Travel and Training Award will continue to be offered by the Arts Council for the remainder of 2008.

Further information

Culture Ireland
Room 3.32
Frederick Buildings
South Frederick Street
Dublin 2

Tel: (01) 631 39 05
Fax: (01) 631 39 56
Web: www.cultureireland.gov.ie

Your application will be considered ineligible, and returned to you, if:

• do not fulfil the eligibility requirements
• Your application or supporting documentation was late;
• You applied by sending an emailed or faxed application;
• You did not fully complete the application form;
• You did not include with your application all the requiredsupporting material;
• You sent your supporting material by email, fax or as an attachment to your online application form (all supporting material must be submitted in hard copy);
• The proposed activity does not fit the purpose of the specific award for which you are applying;
• The proposed activity is more suitable to another award funded by the Arts Council or operated by other state agencies, including Culture Ireland, Irish Film Board, CraftsCouncil of Ireland;
• The artform/arts practice that is the main focus of your application is not provided for by the award and application round to which you are applying;
• The proposed activity has already taken place or will be completed before a decision is due to be made on yourapplication;
• The proposed activity is for charity fund-raising purposes, for participation in a competition, or for primarily profit-makingpurposes;
• The proposed activity focuses primarily on therapeutic outcomes (art therapy) as opposed to artistic outcomes that enhance health and well-being (arts and health);
• The project outlined has already been assessed by the Arts Council. An exception will be made if the Council has already advised you to redirect your application to another award. Please bear in mind that such advice is not an indication of a successful outcome