The Creative Ireland Open Call is a countywide open call to community groups, organisations, venues, artists, writers, performers, archaeologists, historians, archivists and everyone involved in the culture and creative sectors to develop high quality projects and programmes that enable groups and individuals to realise their full creative potential and develop and encourage greater access, knowledge and appreciation of the arts, culture and heritage.
Applications must be developed by a community group, venue or organisation in partnership with individuals with professional expertise in any creative or cultural arena such as visual or performing arts, literature, heritage or other culture area. A group may make the initial approach to a culture/creativity professional with a view to developing a project or visa-versa. The project may be designed to principally impact on those directly involved in the project or to have a broader reach, benefiting a wider community. Applications are assessed on the basis of how well they help fulfil the vision and achieve the priorities of Leitrim’s Culture and Creativity Strategy using the following criteria:
- Quality, innovation and creativity of the planned project.
- The extent to which the project helps achieve one or more of the strategy’s priorities
- Understanding of the social and cultural context of the project.
- Proven ability of the group to undertake and manage projects.
- Level of skills and expertise of culture/creativity professionals engaged with the group.
- The feasibility and viability of project within the timeframe and budget allocated.
Examples of potential projects could include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Projects that encourage people to explore their own creativity.
- Projects that explore the arts, culture and heritage in creative and innovative ways.
- Projects that enhance the sustainability of those who work in the culture and creativity sectors.
We particularly welcome project proposals that involve groups that have had little or no previous involvement in creativity and culture projects whether for any reason such as economic, geographic, or having lacked awareness or opportunity. In such instances we will endeavour to give whatever advice and assistance we can to ensure your project can achieve the best possible experience for everyone involved.
2018 is the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the centenary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the 125 anniversary of the founding of Conradh na Gaeilge and as such this year we welcome innovative applications that creatively explore the concerns that underpin these programmes and anniversaries.
The nominal amount awarded to any one project will typically be between €500 and €5,000. While there is no fixed number of awards, there will generally be a larger number of lesser value awards and a small number of higher value ones. The quantity and value of awards will depend on available funding, number of applicants and the quality of applications.
Payment to successful applicants will be made by electronic fund transfer only. Recipients of awards in excess of €1,000 may drawdown 50% of the award immediately following selection. Following completion of the project, the all successful applicants must complete a short report and provide evidence that the event has taken place (photographs, press reviews etc.), final accounts, and receipts for the full costs.
Completed forms must be marked ‘Creative Leitrim Open Call 2018’ and returned before Friday 1st June to Leitrim County Council, Áras an Chontae, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim or emailed using the file transfer platform www.wetransfer.com to ckelly@leitrimcoco.ie.
