Scéim Forbartha na nEalaíon

Purpose of the Scheme 

The scheme provides one-off support for arts projects and the opportunity to develop high-quality arts activities in the Gaeltacht. 

Priorities of the Scheme 

• Increasing community participation in the arts 

         and/or 

• Supporting Gaeltacht artists to build and develop their practice and career.

Examples of projects that may be supported under the scheme: 

1. Proposals from groups or networks of artists to create a new work or to respond to an artistic issue for, or in collaboration with a Gaeltacht community. 
2. Residency Periods during which an artist would work in collaboration with a community group, arts organisation, arts centre or school. 
3. Delivery of focused arts projects that support professional networking and critical engagement with artistic practice, including symposiums, seminars, exhibitions, and artistic productions. 
4. Commissions, where an artist commissioned by a community group, arts organisation or committee to create a new work. 
5. Artistic research, preproduction or collaboration periods to develop a show, production or arts project. 

Projects/groups not eligible under this scheme: 

• Organisations already receiving funding under Ealaín na Gaeltachta’s Cothú scheme. 
• Projects or activities that would be more suitable for other Ealaín na Gaeltachta funding schemes or 
  schemes operated by other organisations.
• Arts festivals, except for the case in which the festival organisers would be acting as commissioners outside of the context of the festival.
• Gaeltacht community*, sports or tourism festivals. 
• Recording or publishing projects (music, literature or other) including any related preparatory work.
• Training, course attendance, or similar activity, or projects that would be more suitable for the Artist Bursary Scheme, Síol or scéim Oiliúna. 
• Arts projects for young people, involving traditional arts or drama. Applications for such projects should be made through the Treisiú scheme. 
• Development of creative businesses. 

*Ealaín na Gaeltachta and the Arts Council operate separate arts festival schemes for these.

Criteria for the Scheme 

Applications will be assessed according to the criteria of the scheme and in the context of Ealaín na Gaeltachta’s infrastructure.  Applications will be assessed according to the criteria below: 

• A high-quality, creative and imaginative process and work plan that demonstrates the project’s aims, process, and expected outcomes.
• Participation of professional artists in the project, receiving appropriate fees.
• Irish language: The project will be carried out through Irish.
• A clear approach regarding participation and or audience development for the project.
• Work to date: evidence that the artist(s), group, or organisation has produced high‑quality work previously.
• Strong organisational and production capacity, including experience in managing and completing projects.
• A clear approach regarding evaluation, record-keeping and reporting (including video documentation) of the project from start to finish. 
• Other sources of funding found for the project. Funding, sponsorship and benefit in kind (e.g. venue) can be included here. 
• A project rooted in the local context, contributing to the development of the arts and strengthening specific artistic fields both locally and regionally.

Tax affairs and Grant Period 

Successful applicants will need to provide evidence that their tax affairs are in order. Any funding approved must be claimed within a period of 18 months. If the funding is not claimed within this period, it will be cancelled. 

Application Process

The application process has two stages.

Stage 1 

Submit an Expression of Interest to the regional Arts Facilitator before the Expression of Interest deadline. You need only contact the regional Arts Facilitator by email or phone. 

Expression of Interest Deadlines:

Stage 2 

Submit a developed application before the Arts Development Scheme deadline. 

Application Deadlines:

The application form and budget must be completed in full and sent to us along with supporting materials before the scheme deadline. 

Once the assessor is satisfied that the application, budget, and supporting materials meet the scheme criteria, the application will be forwarded to the next Ealaín na Gaeltachta board meeting.

The assessor may hold back the application until it has been adequately developed for board consideration. All feedback and updates will be communicated during the process.

Accessibility 

If you have a disability and require assistance to apply, please contact us at ealain@udaras.ie as soon as possible before the deadline.