In the Open | Faoin Spéir, a special purpose Invitation to Collaboration round in 2021, has been developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The purpose is to generate a sustained and curated programme of multidisciplinary, inclusive arts activity in public or open spaces in towns and communities around Ireland between July 2021 and April 2022.

Our recent surveys with Behaviours and Attitudes show us that there is greater public confidence in attending events outdoors. As we expectantly emerge from the pandemic in the second half of 2021 and into 2022, In the Open | Faoin Spéir will help to bring a renewed spirit of optimism and confidence in a fulsome return to the arts.

It is expected that up 14 places around the country will receive an In the Open | Faoin Spéir award.

The award will support:

• local-authority-identified-and-led outdoor programme in partnership with one or more arts centre / arts organisation / arts festival and / or curator, or

• arts centre / arts organisation / arts festival (currently supported by the Arts Council) identified-and-led public programme in partnership with a local authority.

The scheme is rooted in the policies set out in the Arts Council’s ten-year strategy (2016–25), Making Great Art Work: Leading the Development of the Arts in Ireland and in A Framework for Collaboration: An Agreement Between the Arts Council and the County and City Management Association (FFC)

It is also responding to Survive Adapt Renew and Life Worth Living, the economic impact andpublic sentiment reports published in 2020. See here for more details on these reports http://www.artscouncil.ie/covid-19/research-and-reports/

Deadline for applications: 22 April 2021, 5.30pm