Applications open for Community Arts Grant (Ireland)

What do they mean by community arts activity? You could be planning art workshops, an exhibition of art by a local community, a performance by a local amateur group and need help with the costs.

Funding Information

• You can apply for a maximum of €1,000. You can also apply for less than this, you can apply for as little as €100.
• This funding is to cover arts activities from January to December 2025.
• You cannot apply for funding for any arts activity you have already received funding for from the Council in the last 12 months.

Eligible Activities

• Community arts activities such as a community art exhibition, a publication of creative writing by a local group, or a performance by an amateur group are some examples.
• They support local groups and people to take part in and celebrate the arts in their local neighborhood.

Ineligible Activities

• Events of the following nature will not be considered:
  • Events that promote religious or political purposes or events that exclude or offend parts of the community
  • Events that have breached previous funding agreements with the council, including post event reporting criteria, and where no commitment has been made to rectify this
  • These grants cannot be used for the cost of capital equipment, for example computers, TV, musical instruments.
  • These grants cannot be used to hire Council premises, international travel or third level education.

Eligibility Criteria

• A local community group, individual artist or service/organisation can apply for this funding.
• If an individual artist is applying to work with a group of people they must have a letter from the group that they wish to work with. This letter must outline the groups wish to work with the artist and detail what the project/event is.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Employees or Councillors of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are not eligible to apply.
• These grants do not support professional artists.

Application Requirements

• Before you begin your application, read the General Grant Scheme Guidelines so that you know the terms and conditions for funding from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
• You may only submit one arts grant application. You cannot apply to more than one strand.
• Applications must be for activities or events taking place within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County.
• If you received a grant for 2024 please make sure that you sent a report on what you used the funding for.
• Applications must refer to activities taking place in the County which have a benefit to the wider community.
• The applicant must have a dedicated bank account.
• Grants will not cover third party grants or assistance to cover loans or deficits, charity fundraising events or the hire fee of Council premises.
• Applicants must have no outstanding debt owing to the Council or any Council Controlled Organisations.
• Applicants must fully declare any additional council, government or council controlled organisation funding or grant.
• Applicants seeking funding over €10,000 must submit a valid Tax Clearance Certificate with their application.
• Applicants must comply with all Council regulatory and statutory requirements relating to the preparation and delivery of any events, including obtaining all necessary permits and consents, if required.
• No late applications will be accepted.
• The decision of the County Council on the DLR Grants Scheme is final.

For more information, visit Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.