Artist Collective Bursary
Opens for applications: Monday 4th August 2025
Closing date for applications: Midnight, Sunday 28th September 2025
The Artist Collective Bursary programme is designed to support the work of Leitrim based professional artists from any one or multiple arts disciplines. Collectives may include, but are not limited to, groups of artists such as visual artists collectives, theatre companies, music collectives etc. The programme was developed to support the project work of artists working together and in recognition of the limitations of the Individual Artists Bursary Programme where projects involving more than one artist necessitated separate applications by all artists involved. The programme is designed to support the following -
- Development of new work - Costs relating to the research and development of new work by a group of artists for exhibition, performance or publication.
- Presentation of work - Costs relating to the presentation of work, or engagement with communities, by a group of artists.
The value of an award rises to a maximum of €3,000. While there is no fixed number of awards, there is generally a larger number of lesser value bursaries and a small number of maximum value ones. The quantity and value of bursaries will depend on available resources, number of applicants and the quality of applications.
Requirements:
- The programme is open to collectives of professional artists*.
- Collectives may include both artists living and working in Leitrim and those from elsewhere. However, where applications are assessed in terms of benefit to artists, it is the benefit of those artists ordinarily basing their practice in County Leitrim** that is relevant.
- A key purpose of the programme is to support groups of artists to make work for presentation. This is assessed on the artistic quality and innovation of opportunities for Leitrim audiences to experience unique professional arts events. The quality and extent of opportunities to promote Leitrim arts nationally and internationally is also considered but as part of 'benefit to artists'.
- The activity for which the collective wishes to apply must be completed before 31 December 2026.
- Completed application forms must be accompanied by C.V.s, and images/recordings etc. of previous work and details/supplementary information about the subject of the application.
- All members of collectives that are based in Leitrim must be members of Creative Frame.
Applications are assessed by an independent external expert panel using the following criteria –
- Track record of collective and its members (or members only for a new collective) and proven commitment to high quality arts practice, particularly as evidenced in this activity, and where applicable, as evidenced in the outcomes arising from previous supports provided by Leitrim County Council.
- Likely impact from this activity on the professional development of Leitrim artists. As well as the quality of the project itself, this may also include the opportunity to work with national or international artists with extensive track records and/or the opportunity to perform or exhibit nationally or internationally at venues with strong track records of presenting high quality professional art events.
- Likely impact from this activity on audiences in Leitrim.
- Feasibility and value of investment – the extent to which the proposal can achieve these criteria in the context of the overall fund.***
Access
Following the adoption of the Leitrim County Council Art Plan 2024 – 2027, which includes a cross-cutting strategy to support and promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion through our work in the arts, Leitrim County Council Arts Office has established a process whereby applicants can apply for support to cover costs associated with Access Requirements in relation to individual and collective bursary schemes. Funding provided to meet an applicant's Access Requirements is an additional amount provided in addition to that awarded for the project itself. The maximum available towards Access Requirements can be no more than 20% of that of the main award.
Notes
- Applications may be submitted online from Monday 4th August 2025. In the interim, you may download a copy of the online form to assist in the preparation of your application.
- Completed forms must submitted before Midnight, Sunday 28th September 2025 using the online form below.
- For further information contact - arts@leitrimcoco.ie; 071 96 20005 ext 551.
* A professional artist can be defined as someone for whom their artform is their whole-time occupation, or who holds a third level qualification in their field of practice, or has been paid and advertised as a solo or leading performer/exhibitor in a state funded institution, or has been published or produced by a recognised publisher or theatre/film company or venue, or is recognised as a professional by his/her peers and received recognition in the form of commendations, rewards, awards, grants, appointments to panels, etc.
** Collectives must be based in Leitrim and have a proven commitment to engaging with audiences in Leitrim. it is not necessary that all members be based in Leitrim, however, the number or proportion of professional artists involved that are based in Leitrim is an important consideration. A Leitrim based artist is defined as an artist having their primary residence in Leitrim or maintaining a full-time dedicated studio space in Leitrim for minimum six months prior to application or having current lease/residency agreement on studio in Leitrim of minimum 6 months duration. (Dedicated Studio Space includes studios at Leitrim Sculpture Centre, The Dock etc. or a rented space where utilities are in the applicant’s name.)
*** Value of investment does not necessarily mean low cost. Moreover, it is our policy that all professional artists are compensated appropriately in line with the Arts Council’s policy of payment of artists. However, the application process is competitive, and in determining its funding decisions the council will endeavour to ensure the best use of public funds and optimum benefit for artists and their audiences.