Applying to Culture Ireland

Applicants are advised to read the guidelines and ensure that application is submitted by the deadline.

Guidelines

Culture Ireland is a national agency, established in 2005 by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to promote and advance Irish Arts in the International context using funds made available to them by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.

The specific activities of Culture Ireland include:

  • The granting of awards to Irish artists or arts organisations in response to applications received for such assistance and evaluated in accordance with the criteria in number 3 below
  • Funding and facilitation of Irish participation at strategic international arts events.
  • Managing of special emblematic cultural and artistic events and/or activities as required by the Minister for Arts, Sport, and Tourism.
  • Advising the Minister on international arts and cultural affairs, and provide such assistance as is requested by the Minister from time to time.

In 2006 the Minister approved the Board's strategy for the development of Culture Ireland over the period 2006-2010 and this enabled the Board to proceed with the advancement of the implementation its proposed goals.

Purpose of Awards

Awards recommended by Culture Ireland are intended to (1) give support in other countries to Irish cultural activities of excellence. Proposals are considered for events (e.g. performances, exhibitions, lectures) the full costs of which cannot be met by their organisation or performance. (2) Assist with the travel costs of inviting international programmers, presenters, cutators, promoters or critics to see new Irish work with a view to subsequent international presentation.

Eligibility and Criteria for Support

Culture Ireland considers applications for all forms of the arts defined in the Arts Act, 2003 as “arts means any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, in particular, visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes”.

The applicant must demonstrate how the event will meet the criteria set out below.

Decisions on applications for funding will be made by the Board of Culture Ireland based on the extent to which they meet these criteria. There is a high demand for Culture Ireland grants and it will not be possible to fund all applications deemed eligible.

The following criteria are used in assessment:

  1. Artistic quality and ambition of the proposal;
  2. Strategic impact in the country in which the activity will take place;
  3. Financial and operational viability of the proposal;
  4. Appropriateness of proposal for the host country;
  5. Portion of the costs being met by proposer or by other appropriate organisations;
  6. The contribution of the proposed activity to the strategic aims and objectives of Culture Ireland, as set out in its Strategy 2006-2010..

Please note that to be eligible for funding there must be an element of exhibition, performance, participation or presentation to a wider audience (e.g. presenting a paper at a conference, or giving a poetry-reading, as opposed to attendance at an event).

 

Examples of eligible applications include:

  • theatre and dance performances abroad by companies which are professionally  based, or led by a professional producer or choreographer

  • the travel costs of film-makers presenting films abroad

  • performances abroad by professionally based or professionally led musicians, bands or choral groups
  • travel costs of visual artists and transport of art works
  • readings by authors of their works

Some examples of what we do not support:

  • events that have already taken place
  • sports events
  • research, study or professional training
  • funding for purchase / repair of buildings, costumes or equipment
  • town twinning programmes
  • school exchanges or visits
  • publication of books
  • participation in competitive music and dance events
  • travel to Ireland
  • translations

Making Applications

Application forms are available from, and should be returned to:
Culture Ireland
Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism
Room 3.32
Frederick Buildings
South Frederick Street
Dublin 2

Telephone: 00 353 1 6313905/3994/3917 Fax: 00 353 1 6313956

Applications may be e-mailed to cultureireland@dast.gov.ie

Forms are available on this web site in PDF : Microsoft Word format.

Deadlines for Applications

Culture Ireland's principal funding scheme is designed to support the presentation and promotion of Irish arts internationally. There are four funding rounds each year, with deadlines as follows:

Funding rounds per year
Application deadline Timing of projects/events Decision
15 February May onwards March
15 May August onwards June
15 August November onwards September
15 November February onwards December

 

In very exceptional cases, where high-profile invitations to present work internationally are received too late for the quarterly deadline (e.g. a new film being programmed by a major festival), applications may be considered at short notice.

Culture Ireland also operates "See Here" a scheme to support Irish Artists and arts organisations to invite international programmers, presenters, curators, promoters or critics to see new Irish work with a view to subsequent international presentation. Applications under this scheme are accepted on an ongoing basis. More detailed information can be accessed here

We will acknowledge receipt of all applications. If you have not received an acknowledgement you should contact Culture Ireland. Claims that an application was lost or delayed in the post will not be accepted without proof (registration certificate or certificate of posting).

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions as soon as possible after each meeting, generally within ten working days. Unsuccessful applications will not be reconsidered.

Payment of Awards

Payment will only be made in respect of events which have taken place. When sending a report and requesting the payment of a grant, only original receipts or receipted invoices showing evidence of expenditure should be submitted. Photocopies, faxes and non-receipted invoices are not acceptable.

Membership of Culture Ireland Board

Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin Uas. (Chair), Professor of Music, University of Limerick

Mr. John O’Shea, Director of the Gathering Traditional Festival

Ms. Mary McCarthy, Arts Manager, Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Mr. Mark Mulqueen, Director of Irish Film Institute

Ms. Doireann Ni Bhriain, Arts Consultant and Broadcaster

Mr. Patrick Sutton, Director of the Gaiety School of Acting

Ms. Eve Molony, Businesswoman

Mr. Peter Sirr, Poet and Editor of Poetry Ireland Review

Ms. Dearbhla Collins, Voice Coach and Pianist

Mr. Davey Arthur, Musician

Ms. Mary Cloake, Director of Arts Council

Mr. Niall O Donnchú, Assistant Secretary, Dept of Arts Sport and Tourism

Mr. Hugh Swift, Assistant Secretary, Dept of Foreign Affairs