Wicklow County Council Arts Office's Strategic Projects Award Scheme Open For Applications.

Wicklow County Arts Office invites submissions to the 11th edition of the Strategic Projects Award Scheme.

Wicklow County Arts Office invites submissions to the 11th edition of the Strategic Projects Award Scheme.

This scheme is open to artists, national resource organisations, individual curators and artist collectives. As with previous years, two funding streams are available for the 2024 round of Strategic Projects Awards:

Stream 'A' is for new applicants and proposals

Designed to support for new initiatives, projects which add significant value to existing arts practice, experience and participation in Wicklow, will be prioritised under Stream ‘A’.

Stream 'B' is for projects previously awarded under this scheme

Existing Award recipients who wish to consolidate a project currently underway or to develop an area of practice previously awarded under the scheme can reapply under Stream ‘B’.

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 exploring, for example, audio technology, outdoor installations or public performance.

Regarding this year’s Award, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O'Gorman, stated: “We welcome strong applications which focus on nurturing practice, enhancing connectivity, generating new perspectives and cultivating new voices within County Wicklow.”

Artists who have previously been successful in this award process include: Mary Coughlan, Shane Finan, Kate Strain, Josh O’Caoimh, Eamon Sweeney, Lisa Freeman, Maïa Nunes, Anna Newell, 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 2024.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, said he is “delighted that the Council will fund selected projects up to a maximum of €15,000 again this year. It’s important that Council continue to invest artists across all art forms who are working in Wicklow.”

Further information relating to the Award and the application process is available at www.wicklow.ie

The closing date for completed applications is Friday 11th August 2023 at 4pm.

Late applications will not be accepted. Questions relating to the Award application process may be directed to: wao@wicklowcoco.ie