Creative Communities Grant Scheme

Criteria to Apply

The scheme is open to any group, organisation, or collective working to create or improve opportunities for creative engagement and experience in their community in County Cork.
The scheme aims to promote creative engagement in communities by bringing together communities of place or interest, artists, creatives, festivals, voluntary and community groups, arts and heritage organisations, and others.
Where the applicant is an artist/arts group they must have the support of a specific community or target group they wish to work with.
Where the applicant is a community group, they must identify a specific artist or group of artists they wish to work with.
The project must be in the Cork County functional area.
The application should include details of the proposed group or community, an outline of how a programme of engagement will be developed, the location(s) in which the work will take place and a summary of intended outcomes.
The proposal must include a section addressing how the project will actively promote and contribute to Cork County Council's Arts and Culture activities, aligning with the aims of the Cork County Creative Ireland Strategy 2023-27.
Eligible proposals must demonstrate a clear creative purpose and a benefit to the community.
Reporting and draw down must be completed by 01 October 2025, where the project extends in to 2026/2027 the midterm reporting and drawdown will due on 01 October of each year.
Proposals must be for a creative project, event or activity that is not currently available or accessible in the community or to a less advantaged group.
Applications can be made for projects that will be one, two, or three years in duration. There will be a maximum award of €10,000 for a one year project, €20,000 for a two year project, or €30,000 for a three year project, with a minimum award of €2000, €4000, and €6000 respectively.

Submissions that focus on any of the following will be considered

Placemaking programmes that help communities connect with their towns or villages. These programmes will be developed in collaboration with community groups and organisations.
Programmes that include multicultural or multigenerational communities with opportunities for multiple voices to access, co-create and produce high-quality cultural outputs.
Submissions that develop an open welcoming environment where people of different backgrounds can work together creatively.
Submissions supporting participation in creative endeavours in communities. Creating a sense of belonging, good practice, sharing knowledge and experiences, leading to intercultural understanding, cooperation, and social cohesion.

Assessment Criteria

Expressions of Interest will be scored on the following:

Experience in leading participatory/ community/ collaborative arts projects of high artistic quality.
Detailed description of at least one socially engaged/participatory arts project that shows ability to manage, evaluate and document project outcomes.
The extent to which the proposal has a clear creative purpose, is accessible to diverse audiences and participants and will be appropriate and inclusive in its theme and approach.
The extent to which the proposed event/project is ambitious and original and maximises citizen engagement.
That the budget is realistic and feasible.

A maximum of €10,000 will be awarded per year up to three years. The minimum that can be applied for is €2,000 per year up to three years. Funding support is provided through the National Creative Ireland programme and Cork County Council.

Only online applications will be accepted and can be made by clicking the 'Click to make an application' button below.

Queries can be made to creativeireland@corkcoco.ie.

The closing date for completed applications is 16:00 on Thursday 23 January 2025.

A shortlist may be formed, and candidates invited to an online interview. The award of this residency is at the discretion of Cork County Council.