Funding and Awards

Artists in the Community Scheme

Guidelines

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland offers awards under the Artists in the Community scheme to an artist or artists for a residency of up to 6 months with community groups or organisations. In this scheme the artist/artists would be expected to work for 3 days per week (or the equivalent), with a number of community groups in a workshop context, with a view to producing work from their groups for publication, performance or exhibition at the conclusion of the residency, possibly in conjunction with his/her/their own work.

The Scheme
The Artists in the Community Scheme offers artists and community organisations the opportunity to interact over an extended period thereby offering a full appreciation of the role of the artist in a community context. Artists may approach community groups or organisations such as The Rural Community Network with a view to developing a programme proposal. It is hoped that through this scheme artists can demonstrate how community involvement can make a positive contribution to their own work.

Timescale
A maximum of six months on a three day per week basis (or the equivalent).

How much money is available?
Five awards of £10,000 each are available. These awards cover fees, travel and subsistence.

Who can apply?

Individual artists by arrangement with:

Arts organisations.
Arts Centres.
Organisations without a primary purpose of arts promotion but which want to use the arts to promote their work.
Community associations/consortia of community associations.

The following are not eligible

Students currently in full or part-time education.
Applications by arrangement with Schools or Education and Library Boards.
Applications by arrangement with Youth Clubs.

Deadline for application
Thursday 6th May 2004, 4.00 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.

What are the criteria for assessing applications?
Applicants (either artist or host organisations) must demonstrate:

Evidence of artistic achievement.
Evidence of working with groups.
Clearly defined programmes of activity with an evaluation of the potential outcome.
Evidence of administrative support for and the financial viability of the project.

Priorities
In line with the Arts Council’s strategic plan, high priority will be given to:

Applications by arrangement with groups which have had limited prior connection with the arts.
Applications by arrangement with groups in areas which experience high degrees of deprivation or disadvantage.
Applications by arrangement with groups which will increase the quality of access for disabled people to the arts.
Applications by arrangement with groups which enhance opportunities for young people to express themselves creatively.

How long will it take?
Applicants will be notified of Council’s decision within two months of receipt of application.

Are there evaluation requirements for successful applicants?
Successful applicants will be required to monitor and evaluate the programme as it proceeds. Successful applicants will be asked to submit a post-project report of not more than 500 words, which will include their own evaluation of the project and details of how they spent the award money. Grant recipients can use either their own format for this post-project report or the template provided with their letter of offer.
Failure to submit a report, or receipts where applicable, will affect future applications to all Arts Council programmes.

Application Form
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