Creative Ireland is an all-of-government culture and wellbeing programme that inspires and transforms people, places and communities through creativity. We are committed to the vision that every person in Ireland should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential.
As part of Kildare's 2024 Creative Ireland programme, Kildare County Council invites applications for bursary awards that will develop bodies of work which enhance access to, engagement with, and enjoyment of culture and creativity within Co. Kildare. Projects should include public interface/engagement elements, making culture and creativity accessible to local residents and communities.
We envisage that a series of bursaries will be awarded in the region of €3,000 - €10,000. Funding may only be used to support events/projects within the cultural domain, which may include:
A: Cultural and Natural Heritage
B: Performance and Celebration
C: Visual Arts and Crafts
D: Books and Press
E: Audio-visual and Interactive Media
F: Design and Creative Services
G: Intangible Cultural Heritage (oral tradition, languages, ritual, social practices, etc)
- build creative responses to climate and biodiversity crises through focused actions.
- embed equality, cultural diversity and integration across the project.
- enhance wellbeing through creative participation, supporting mental and physical health.
- provide creative opportunities to explore sense of place, heritage and identity.
- enhance and support Kildare's local cultural and creative community by providing a tailored series of programming, networking or mentoring opportunities.
Who Can Apply
Applications are welcome from individual creative practitioners and artists, community groups, or SMEs for activities taking place in 2024.
We welcome applicants who represent the diversity of Irish society. We encourage applications from all areas of the community regardless of your gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community, or socio-economic background.
We welcome applications from individuals whose first language is not English.
Application Guidelines
Applications can be made for Creative Ireland Bursary Awards from €3,000 up to €10,000.
Applicants must demonstrate the benefit of the proposed activity for which they are seeking funding to a) county Kildare and b) yourself / your group.
Kildare County Council is committed to fair pay and a policy to Pay the Artist. Please refer to the Arts Council's policy on
Paying the Artist when valuing your time as an artist and those collaborating with you.
Your attention is also drawn to
safetocreate.ie, where you will find more information about the Safe to Create Dignity at Work programme which aims to impact change on the culture and practices of the arts sector in Ireland to provide safer working conditions for artists and arts workers.
Application deadline
Applications will only be accepted via the online application form.
Applications must be submitted before the deadline at 12pm (noon) Weds 28 February 2024.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
We suggest that applicants try to submit their application form early in case of technical difficulties. Should they arise, please email creative@kildarecoco.ie and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Supporting Material
It is advantageous to include supporting material that enhances your application. Applicants should not assume that the independent assessment panel are familiar with your work or your previous funding history. The panel will use the supporting material to get a better understanding of both your track record and that of your creative collaborators, and the feasibility of your proposal.
Information Session
Kildare County Council Arts Service will host a number of Information Sessions in locations throughout the county about applying for arts grants and bursary awards with Kildare County Council. Sessions will be of particular interest to individual artists, art collectives, community groups, youth groups and schools who intend to apply for Arts Grants from Kildare County Council in 2024.
Information Sessions:
Please note that information imparted at each session will be the same - there is no need to register to attend all 3 sessions. All are welcome to attend this FREE session, but booking is recommended.
In addition, information videos and application guides will be made available via Kildare Arts Service’s
YouTube and social media channels from Monday 22nd January 2024.
If you need help to complete and submit your application, we want to hear from you. Please email or call the Kildare Creative Ireland team at least three weeks before the award deadline, or as early as possible, to give us time to assist you.
Email: creative@kildarecoco.ie / Tel: 045 980640.