Call for Proposals: Youth Arts Commission 2025 (Ireland)

Deadline: 14 February 2025

The Offaly County Council Arts Office is inviting professional artists, individuals or groups, to work with youth organisations to submit a proposal for the delivery of a Youth Arts Project for the cohort of 13 to 25 year-olds within Offaly.

The commission is open to submissions from all art disciplines including visual arts, film, animation, digital arts, performing arts, literature or sound art. The commission can concentrate on one art form or a range of art forms but must include the participation of/engagement with a professional artist. Young people’s active participation and the co-creation of work should be central to the youth arts project.

Youth arts is a process-based practice, focused on the experience of working together through the arts: making work, building skills, expressing feelings and ideas through art, sharing what is made with others, and connecting with ourselves and others through the process. The goal of the commissions is to build secure relationships with relevant partners for the development of Youth Arts in the county, with the voice of young people being a priority.

Process and engagement with the Young People in Offaly should be central to the project and the inspiration should stem from their needs and wants. Young people should be consulted about the project design and application so their needs, interests and decisions can influence and inspire the work.

Funding Information

A maximum budget of €5,000.00 is available per project, with a maximum of three projects. The maximum funding will only be allocated to projects deemed to be exceptional by the panel). The budget is a total cost and must include all travel, materials, VAT. Applicants will only be eligible to make one project application.

Eligibility Criteria

The successful applicant/s will:
- Have at least 3 years’ relevant experience delivering youth led arts initiatives/projects
- Be a Professional Artist or group of Professional Artists
- Be self-employed or a registered Arts Organisation
- Be able to provide tax clearance number and access number
- Third Level Qualification in given discipline is desirable but not essential
- Have recommended Child Safeguarding Training
- Demonstrate the ability to work with multiple stakeholder
- Hold professional indemnity insurance
- Be able to submit Health and Safety/Risk assessments
- Be subject to Garda Vetting by Offaly County Council
- Hold a current/full Irish/E.U Driving License

Application Requirements

You will need:
- To complete the online application which includes:
  - Personal Contact information
  - Description of Project
  - Outline of participant engagement, delivery, schedule, objectives, perceived results.
  - Budget – breakdown of budget costs.
- Upload a one pdf document that includes the following:
  - A cover letter outlining your suitability
  - Curriculum Vitae with References (for all artists involved)
  - Links to previous works
  - Any more details you may feel relevant.