County Clare Arts Service: Small Grants Scheme

Assistance under the Arts Act Grants Scheme 2009

Applications are now invited for Clare County Council's Assistance under the Arts Act Grants Scheme. This grant scheme is intended to assist artists and organisations stimulating public interest in the arts, promoting the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts or in improving standards in the arts in the county.

Applications will only be accepted on the official application form and are required to comply with the guidelines as set out by Clare County Council, both of which are available from the County Arts Office, County Library, Mill Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, email: arts@clarelibrary.ie or telephone 065 684 6267.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Friday 5th June 2009.

APPLICATION GUIDLINES
Please read these guidelines carefully to see if your project is eligible
for assistance under this scheme

Assistance shall be restricted to “the arts” as defined in the Arts Act 2003. 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 term 'artist' is used to denote anyone engaged in artistic expression e.g. musicians, dancers, writers etc.
There are four categories under which an application may be submitted:
(a) Artist Support
(b) Organisational Support
(c) Traditional Arts (Traditional Music, Dance etc)
(d) Events & Projects Assistance
Applicants can apply under the Assistance under the Arts Act Scheme or the Irish Language Grant Scheme - not both.
Assistance shall be given only in respect of activity which when held would stimulate public interest in the arts, provide knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts or improve the standard of the arts in
Clare. Charity events and activities are not eligible for assistance.
The artist, organiser or organisation must be Clare based and be able to provide a proven track record / professional qualifications of working in the arts.
Schools should contact the County Arts Office prior to making an application to check to see if their proposal can be accommodated through the Arts Education Schemes.
The maximum grant allowable in respect of any event shall be EUR1,000. Applicants must state explicitly how much money they are seeking or their application will be void.
Payment of a grant will be in respect of specific activities and not towards the payment of former debts.
Apart from the foregoing, applications shall furnish such further particulars or information as the Council may deem necessary to consider the application.
There is one closing date annually for the scheme. In 2009 this is Friday 5th June, thereafter the closing date shall be 31st March each year.
These guidelines may, at any time, be reviewed by the Council but such reviews shall not prejudice applications received before these reviews.
It is understood that if an application is successful that the recipient will credit Clare County Council on all publications and or media interviews. Failure to credit Clare County Council may jeopardise future applications.
The awarding of a grant is a matter for the elected members of Clare County Council who reserve the right to refuse to make a grant without giving any reason. The decision of the County Council is final.
The payment of a grant is not to be taken as an indication that a grant will be made to the individual or organisation in respect of further projects.
Applications for assistance should be addressed to the Arts Officer, County Library Headquarters, Mill Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, and must reach there before 5pm, Friday 5th June 2009.