Treisiú

Background & Context of the Scheme

Young People have been identified as a priority in Ealaín na Gaeltachta’s Strategy 2023-2027 and Ealaín (na Gaeltachta) Teo. are working with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media to provide opportunities for participation in the arts for young people. The Cuisle programme is operating strategically to develop a traditional arts programme (traditional music, sean-nós dancing, sean-nós singing, oral arts – lúibíní (dialogue in song), agallamh beirte (spoken poetic dialogue), storytelling) and a youth drama/theatre programme in the Gaeltacht, by providing a range of funding schemes, supports and development actions.

Aim of the Scheme

Scéim Treisiú focuses on promoting opportunities for young people outside the context of training programmes. (If it is a training programme, please apply through Scéim Neartú).

Through this scheme, one-off support will be given to high-quality projects and activities in the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre aimed at young people.

This fund is open to groups and individuals in Gaeltacht areas, to give them the opportunity to develop high-quality projects and activities for young people in the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre.

Level of funding available:

A maximum of €15,000 per year and per artistic field (Traditional Arts/Drama/Theatre for Young People) is available to applicants for the Scheme. In exceptional cases, more than €15,000 may be approved, provided that the strategic approach has been discussed in advance with Ealaín na Gaeltachta staff.

The amount of the grant awarded will depend on the programme/work plan proposed in the application, the experience of the group, and the budget available for the scheme. You should speak to Cuisle staff or the Arts Facilitator in your region before applying for this scheme.

Examples of projects that will be supported under the scheme:

1. Proposals from groups, organisations, artists or groups of artists: to create a new work together with young people, in which the voice of young people would be emphasised, and to empower young people as young artists by working in association with professional artists.
2. Proposals from groups, organisations, artists or groups of artists: to create new work for a young audience.
3. A Residency Period in which an artist would work in collaboration with youth group(s) to develop a project in the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre.
4. Commission: Artists commissioned by a community group/arts organisation/arts centre/festival, for example, to create a new work in which young people would be the target audience or creative partners in a project in the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre.
5. Arts research/preview/mentoring or an inter-practice period towards developing a show, production or project in the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre aimed at a young audience.

Projects/events/candidates not eligible for this scheme:

• Provision of teaching/educational classes (see Scéim Neartú for this).
• Training in the practice, course attendance, or proposals that would be more suitable for other Ealaín na Gaeltachta schemes.
• For organisations that are already receiving funding from Ealaín na Gaeltachta, a strong case must be made that this proposal is a project in addition to the funding they are already receiving.

Funding criteria:

Support will be provided for high-quality, creative and imaginative processes which will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• An approach in which the voice of young people is central to the creative process.
• Participation of professional artists in the project while receiving appropriate fees.
• Work to date: it must be shown that the artist(s) has/have already created/produced high-quality work and have experience of working with young people.
• A work plan must be included, showing the aim, process and expected result of the project and the benefits that would be associated for young people.
• A clear approach regarding audience engagement and/or development for the project.
• A clear approach regarding evaluation, record keeping and reporting (with video proof) of the project from start to finish.
• A strong structure/capacity demonstrated by the organisation/group/committee/individual as well as experience in managing and completing projects demonstrated by the candidates who have experience in the youth sector.
• That other sources of funding have been found for the proposal. Funding, sponsorship and benefit in kind (e.g. a venue) can be included here.
• Irish language: The project will be executed through Irish.
• The Traditional Arts and/or Drama/Theatre: Emphasis will be placed on promoting the traditional arts (traditional music, sean-nós dance, sean-nós singing, oral arts – agallamh beirte (spoken poetic dialogue), lúibíní (dialogue in song), storytelling) and/or drama/theatre among young people. Although multidisciplinary proposals will be welcomed, traditional arts and/or drama/theatre must be an integral part of the project.

Current Priorities of the Scheme:

• Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate that they are filling a gap or that a new action area is being explored or developed in the context of the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre for young people.
• Priority will be given to applications where it can be seen that there is collaboration and/or partnership in terms of sharing resources/expertise and best practices with local, regional and national organisations/committees/artist groups.

Conditions if your application is successful:

1. The financial assistance will be approved for the applicant. Therefore, please ensure that the applicant’s name is the same as the name on the bank details form, tax certificate (if any), etc.
2. It is a strict condition that the Cuisle programme, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media are given public recognition should your application be successful.  Logos are available on the website www.ealain.ie and must be displayed in any publication or promotional material.
3. If the financial assistance for this application is approved, the Ealaín na Gaeltachta report form will need to be completed and returned to the Arts Development Officer for Young People, as well as (at least) 6 photographs in digital form, for Ealaín na Gaeltachta’s miscellaneous use. It must be ensured that permission has been obtained in writing from parents/guardians if children appear in the photograph, and it must be ensured that permission has been obtained from the photographer before they are shared with us.
4. It is essential for all organisations involved with children and young people to have a Child Protection Policy with a Child Protection Statement, Risk Assessment and the appropriate procedures in place, which adhere to the guidelines as set out in the Children First Act 2015. For help and current guidance regarding developing your policy and procedures, see Tusla, Child and Family Agency: www.tusla.ie. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of compliance with the guidelines and forward a copy of their Child Protection Statement and Child Protection Policy with the application.