Today the Arts Council announced that it is awarding 20 artists and 163 arts organisations some €12.8 million through Arts Grant Funding, a scheme under the agency’s 10- year strategy, Making Great Art Work. We received 217 applications and were able to fund 183 recipients, making this year the biggest year for Arts Grant Funding thus far.
The purpose of Arts Grants Funding is to ensure that there is a breadth of high-quality arts activity and programmes throughout the country. It offers flexible support for a fixed period of time, and in so doing responds to the needs of those who are making, presenting and supporting work.
Welcoming the announcement Maureen Kennelly, Director, Arts Council said:
"The breadth and range of applications is truly inspiring to see. Artists and organisations have suffered disproportionately through the pandemic and it is heartening to see the resilience of the arts sector. It is also encouraging to know that while we support these 20 artists and 163 organisations, they will in turn create thrilling new work and support the public as we recover together. Their work is increasingly representative of the rich diversity of contemporary Ireland. The talent represented in these organisations and individual artists is world class and their ambition and confidence is a source of enormous pride to the Arts Council”.
Prof. Kevin Rafter, Chair of the Arts Council said;
“This funding is another significant support for artists and arts organisations. Demand for funding was greater than it has ever been and the quality of applications was exceptionally high. In total, 183 artists and arts organisations will receive funding of almost €13 million. This funding will support work across the country in different art forms from visual arts to traditional arts.”
The funding will go to artists and arts organisations in 19 counties across Ireland. (Antrim, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.)
These decisions will mean that artistic talent continues to be nurtured; arts organisations are sustained; and people in every part of the country experience the best of the arts. In its approach, the Arts Council sought to strike a balance between different art forms; considered the impact of the arts on a national, regional and local basis; and encouraged new talent while strengthening organisations already delivering at a high level.
There are six new organisations that have received Arts Council funding for the first time.
Match in the Dark is a newly registered partnership between Dani Gill and Brendan MacEvilly. It is concerned with: audience development in literature outside of the literary festival circuit, leveraging greater funding towards literature from local authorities and regional stakeholders, driving a culture of professional production around literary offerings and touring, creating touring supports for literature that empower and upskill literary producers and makers.
Tipparary Dance Platform is responsible for a number of actions such as supporting professional dancers in Ireland, creating original dance work and developing & maintaining valuable relationships with local & international communities & audiences.
Bullaun Press aims to bring to Irish readers a diverse range of literature translated into English. The press will promote the art of translation and engage with diaspora communities in Ireland – seeking their recommendations and, through dissemination of their written heritage, fostering cultural exchange with Irish citizens.
Company Philip Connaughton is an ambitious, exciting dance company that engages with important issues to ask questions about society and the world around us.
Con Brio present national and international musicians at the top of their field alongside emerging new talent. Whilst focussing on a classical repertoire, the series features contemporary compositions and regularly commissions new work; particularly from Irish composers.
Sans. PRESS, a project run by UL’s MA in Creative Writing alumni.
Their concept is to unite different stories under a clear art direction. Guided by an underlying theme, they created cohesive anthologies that span a broad range of themes and styles, over 9 countries, by both emerging and established writers.
A full list of recipients is available here.
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