Culture Night will take place nationwide on Friday 20th September 2024 from 4pm 'til late. Kildare County Council Arts Service now welcomes applications from individual artists and/or groups of artists for new public-facing artistic projects of ambition across art forms to coincide with the county's Culture Night celebrations. Commissions will range from €2,000 - €4,000.
We are particularly interested in projects that:
- are of ambition and scale;
- are new and/or represent a new development to an existing project;
- are in-person and public-facing;
- reflect the cultural richness of Kildare and the diversity of all communities living in the county;
- target, engage and grow new/different audiences for culture and the arts in the county;
- engage the 18-35 demographic (although this is not an obligatory requirement).
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 artists whose first language is not English.
Although not an obligatory requirement, applicants might consider demonstrating how their proposed activity addresses the themes of inclusivity, equality and cultural diversity. We are committed to supporting projects that consider equality, inclusion, accessibility and diversity, that strive to respect, support and ensure the inclusion of all voices and cultures that make up Ireland today. Although not an obligatory requirement, applicants might consider demonstrating how their proposed activity addresses the themes of inclusivity, equality and cultural diversity. Download the Arts Council's
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit.
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.
Although not an obligatory requirement, applicants might consider demonstrating how their proposed activity addresses the themes of climate change and climate action.
Interested in having your event listed as part of Culture Night Kildare 2024? Please Note: This call out relates to the commissioning of new public-facing projects of ambition and scale. If you are planning an event in your local area and want to be considered for inclusion in the 2024 programme and access financial support*, Kildare County Council Arts Service will publish details of how to submit your event at a later stage. Details will be published online in early summer 2024 and via the Arts Service's fortnightly e-newsletter (
subscribe here). *Culture Night stipends
up to €300 available for eligible events.
Application deadline
Applications will only be accepted via the online application form.
Applications must be submitted before the deadline at 12pm, Wednesday 28th 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 arts@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, an information video 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 Arts Service team at least three weeks before the award deadline, or as early as possible, to give us time to assist you.
Email: arts@kildarecoco.ie / Tel: 045 980872.