Individual Artist Bursary Scheme

Opens for applications: 15 September 2024
Closing date for applications: Midnight, Sunday 03 November 2024

The Individual Artists Bursary programme is designed to support the development of Leitrim based professional artists from any arts discipline for any purpose that will demonstrably contribute to an artist’s professional development, and ultimately be of benefit to Leitrim audiences, such as –

• Development of new work - Costs relating to the research, development or production of new work for exhibition, publication or presentation.
• Professional Development - Costs relating to improving your knowledge, skills or expertise - such as research, residencies or short-term courses (including on-line courses); participation in conventional part-time or full-time education where other sources of public funding are unavailable. The extent to which these activities are relevant to on-going and planned work, the quality of that work, and its importance to future audiences, is crucial and should be clear from your application.

Please note that applications for mentoring is not supported under this programme as there is a specific separate funding strand for this purpose. However, applicants may apply to both programmes in the same year.

Requirements and notes:

• The programme is open to professional artists* ordinarily basing their practice in County Leitrim**.
• The activity for which the artist wishes to apply must be completed before 31 December 2025.
• Completed application forms must be accompanied by artists C.V. images/recordings etc. of previous work and details/supplementary information about the subject of the application.
• Where support from Leitrim County Council was provided in 2022 or 2023, a one-page report providing details of that application and its subsequent outcomes including any publications, press and publicity must accompany the application.
• All applicants must be members of Creative Frame. 
• As part of its Arts Strategy, Leitrim County Council is committed to offering equality of access, opportunity and outcomes to all potential applicants regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community, or socio-economic background. In this funding scheme Leitrim County Council particularly welcomes applications that are representative of the diversity of Irish society, including but not limited to any of the characteristics outlined above, and/or initiatives that deliver equitable opportunities or outcomes for those involved.

Applications are assessed by an independent external expert panel using the following criteria –

• Likely impact from this activity on audiences in Leitrim and elsewhere.
• Track record of applicant (or potential for an emerging artist) 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 support provided by Leitrim County Council.
• Likely benefit of activity to artist’s practice.
• In the case of courses, mentoring, services etc. – the quality and excellence of those activities or services is a determinant of likely benefit.
• In the case where a company such as an orchestra or theatre company is producing the applicant’s work – the quality and excellence of those companies and the extent and scale of its presentation is a determinant of likely benefit.
• Value of investment – the extent to which the proposal can achieve these criteria in the context of the overall fund.***

The value of an award rises to a maximum of €2,500. 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.

Applications may be submitted online from 15 September 2024. 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 3rd November 2024 using the online form below.

For further information contact – arts@leitrimcoco.ie or call 071 96 21694.

* 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.

** Having 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, Drumshanbo Library Studios etc. or 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.