Please read below guidelines to see if your application will qualify for consideration for funding:
Arts Grants are for the purpose of providing financial assistance to individual artists, groups and organisations engaged in arts projects/ events at local or county level. Grants are also available to support the professional development and arts practice of individual artists, arts groups and organisations.
Individual artists, groups/ organisations working with all artforms (architecture, circus, craft, dance, film, literature, music, opera, spectacle, street art, theatre, traditional arts and visual arts) are eligible to apply. Collaborative applications are also welcomed.
There are specific grants to support older persons groups and community art projects.
Funding is for the period January to December 2023 only.
Please ensure you have read the General Grant Scheme Guidelines, which set out the terms and conditions for payment and qualification for funding from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in full. A copy of the guidelines are available
here, under Grant schemes or can be requested by e-mail - grants@dlrcoco.ie or by phone - 01 204 7966 .
You cannot apply for funding for any activity you have already received funding for from dlr (including Creative Ireland Bursaries) in the last 12 months. You can apply for funding for a different project or the next stage of a project.
A maximum of two applications will be accepted from any individual, group or organisation.
Applications must be for activities or events taking place within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Applications to support an artist’s professional development will only be accepted from those living or working in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Arts Office seeks to support financially sustainable artistic ventures.
In regards to applications from organisations, only not for profit organisations will be considered.
Grants will not cover building programmes, third party grants, or assistance to cover loans or deficits, projects which could be undertaken on a commercial basis, charity fundraising events, the hire fee of Council premises, international travel or third level education.
No late applications will be accepted.
The application form will ask you to confirm that you have read the guidelines and are eligible to apply for this grant. If you have any queries about the guidelines and eligibility criteria you are advised to contact the Arts Office well in advance of the deadline for clarification.
Arts Access Grants- older persons groups: maximum €2,000
Purpose of Grant
Arts Access Grants are available to provide financial assistance to older persons groups in order to give access to greater opportunities for artistic expression.
Grant specific eligibility
- Funding is only available for Older Persons Groups
- Applicants must be an older persons community group or organisation and be not-for-profit.
- The project for which funding is being sought must be easily achievable and have an impact.
- Applications cannot be for the cost of equipment, ie computers, TVs, hire of vehicles, musical instruments, personal apparel etc.
- Funding of travel, competition fee, international conference attendance, major prizes, costs already incurred, existing staff costs or administrative overheads will not be considered
- Applications from applicants with outstanding grant reports will not be considered: applicants should make sure that they have submitted any relevant reports for previously grant funded projects before applying for this round of grants.
Award Criteria
The application should outline or demonstrate a benefit to the local older persons group and promote the appreciation and practice of the arts within the group. Projects will be prioritised based on need as funding is limited.
Marking
Applications will be marked on but not limited to the following general selection criteria:
Category and Weighted Score
- Ability of proposal to increase cultural participation at local level 35
- Quality of proposal 35
- Feasibility of proposal 30
General Arts Grant: Maximum €5,000 (Professional Development of an individual Maximum €3,000)
Purpose of grant
General Art Grants support artists’ professional development and provide funding to help artists and arts organisations create and present new works in this County. The grants also facilitate greater access to the arts for people living in and visiting dlr.
General Arts Grants fund the following three areas:
1) The production of an event, festival or long-term project by an individual artist, arts group or arts organisation that will allow the public an opportunity to engage with or experience the arts. The applicant/s must clearly define how this event/ project will support public engagement with the arts in dlr and what the outcomes of the event/ project will be.
2) Projects that have a collaborative approach between the artist and the participants. Examples of potential successful applications may include, but are not limited to, arts initiatives in formal and informal education settings, healthcare and community settings. They should inspire artists to engage, consult and collaborate with a community or place within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County or provide opportunities for growth and development within the participatory arts sector. The applicant/s must clearly define how this collaborative/ participatory project will develop the artistic skill of the participants and/or artists involved.
3) The professional development of an artist, arts group or arts organisation. This could take the form of a bursary to allow the artist time to complete a specified body of work or a training opportunity such as a course, the purchase of materials or the development or support of studios. The applicant/s must clearly define how this funding would be beneficial to their professional development/ arts practice.
Award criteria
The application should demonstrate the benefit to a potential audience or group you plan to work with and/or the impact on your development as an artist.
Applications should also demonstrate the artistic merit and quality of previous work, the artistic merit and quality of their proposal and their ability to achieve outlined objectives within timeframe and budget. Projects will be prioritised based on need as funding is limited.
Marking
Applications will be marked on but not limited to the following general selection criteria:
Category and Weighted Score
- Quality of previous work 35
- Quality of proposal 35
- Feasibility of proposal 30
Community Small Arts Grants: €300 - €1300
Purpose of grant
This grant is available to persons or bodies organising a small-scale community based arts event that will promote appreciation and practice of the arts while improving standards in the arts within the community. Activities that are eligible for funding include amateur/community art exhibitions and events, musical and dramatic societies and community publications of creative writing.
Award amounts
€1,300 or two thirds of the total cost (whichever is the lesser) of the project that have countywide interest
€650 or one third of the costs (whichever is the lesser) towards an event of board general interest in a community
€300 maximum towards an event, art competition or exhibition of local neighbourhood scale
Award criteria
The application should outline a benefit to the local community and promote the appreciation and practice of the arts within the community. Projects will be prioritised based on need as funding is limited.
Marking
Applications will be marked on but not limited to the following general selection criteria:
Category and Weighted Score
- Ability of proposal to increase cultural participation at local level 35
- Quality of proposal 35
- Feasibility of proposal 30