Wicklow Arts Office is inviting submissions to the 10th edition of the Strategic Projects Award Scheme.
This scheme is open to artists, national resource organisations, individual curators, and artist collectives. Applications should focus on nurturing practice, enhancing connectivity, generating new perspectives and cultivating new voices within County Wicklow.
There are two funding streams available for the 2023 round of Strategic Projects Award:
Stream A
Support for new initiatives will be prioritised for projects which add significant value to existing arts practice, experience and participation in Wicklow, and which support Wicklow County Council Art’s Office’s Strategic Goals.
Stream B
As this is the 10th edition of the Award, consideration will be given to repeat applications for existing Award recipients; from practitioners who wish to consolidate a project currently underway or to develop an area of practice previously awarded under the scheme. Previously supported work which qualifies under this scheme includes visual arts engagement, digital arts, arts in the public realm, arts and health, early years, and arts and disability.
Regarding this year’s Award, Deputy Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Mr Michael Nicholson, stated: “We welcome imaginative projects which seek to enhance or create new work of and for County Wicklow but recognise that the arts have been particularly affected by the Covid-19 and that there are uncertainties which remain challenging.”
While the scheme is open to individuals and organisations from across all arts disciplines, the Arts Office would particularly welcome thoughtful applications that propose innovative solutions such as bespoke audience engagement projects using, for example, audio technology, outdoor installations or public performance.
Artists who have previously been successful in this award process include: Mary Coughlan, Shane Finan, Kate Strain, Josh O’Caoimh, Eamon Sweeney, Lisa Freeman, Conor O Reilly, Susan McKeown, Aisling Ennis, and West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival.
The total amount of the funding available is expected to be in the region of €80,000 to €100,000 for 2023.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Tommy Annesley, said he is pleased that the Council is able to fund selected projects up to a maximum of €15,000 for any one application as a result of this call.
Further information relating to the Award and the application process is available at: https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Arts-Heritage-Archives/Arts/Funding-Support-Opportunities/2023-Strategic-Projects-Award-Scheme
The closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 13th September 2022 at 16:00 hours.
Late applications will not be accepted. Questions relating to the Award application process can be directed to Karan Thompson, karan@ktcl.ie
