Arts Bursary Terms and Conditions
Eligibility Criteria
The Bursary award is for individual artists and their work plans taking place in 2025 in the pursuit of training, mentoring, research and capacity building.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 20 December 2024. No late applications will be considered.
Scoring criteria
Applicants are scored against four key criteria:
1. Quality of existing work and bursary proposal idea (30%): As evidenced by the Description of your bursary proposal, your artist's CV; and up to 3 examples of previous work.
2. Relevance and timeliness of proposal to the development of your practice (25%): As evidenced by your recent achievements, a general overview of your main interests and ambitions and the reason you wish to pursue this line of research/training at this time and the impact you hope it will have.
3. Feasibility (25%): This refers to the extent to which the applicant demonstrates capacity to deliver the proposed activity. This includes consideration of:
- the proposed timetable or schedule;
- the availability of other supports / partners identified in the application, and the nature of that support;
- the availability of other sources of funding or income, where relevant.
4. Cultural benefit for County Longford (20%): Your application must demonstrate tangible benefits for the development of art and culture within County Longford.
In addition to the above criteria, the company, artist or team must ensure compliance with all statutory requirements and local authority byelaws, including adherence to Child Protection Policy.
Annual Priorities
All individuals (at any stage in their career) are eligible to apply for a bursary grant. In 2025, We specifically encourage applications from new and emerging artists seeking mentorship and professional support.
Terminology
- 'Emerging artists' are defined as those who are at an early stage in their career development (specifically, artists who are starting their careers and have been active for one to five years)
- Age is not a factor in determining an emerging artist
- An 'active' or 'practising' artist is creating work regularly (i.e. more than a few times a year)
- The term 'emerging' refers to professional accomplishments and recognition, not to stylistic evolution
- An emerging artist is expected to have a limited performing, publishing, or exhibition record.
- Emerging artists may demonstrate potential in their practice through risk-taking and pushing their work in dynamic ways.
Arts Bursary Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in Longford County Council Administrative Area?
You do not need to live in County Longford to be eligible. However, your application must demonstrate tangible benefits for the development of art and culture within County Longford.
Can I apply for more than one award?
Yes, you can apply for all County Longford Arts awards. The Bursary Award is for the development of your artistic practice.
How many Bursary Awards will there be in 2025?
There will be no more than 15 awards in 2025.
Is a postgraduate course eligible for the bursary?
Yes, postgraduate courses are eligible for the bursary. However, if you are applying for a course, you need to have a provisional offer to attend.
Is a mentorship eligible for the bursary?
Yes, mentorships are eligible for the bursary.
Can a period of mentorships with various mentors be eligible for the bursary?
Yes, you can build your own mentorship programme with various mentors, with costs made to individual mentors in this case.
Do mentor(s) need to be identified and do they need to submit their own documentation?
Yes, the mentor(s) need to be identified at the application stage as the assessor will need to know that the mentor has the experience appropriate to support you. A CV, biography or letter of support from your proposed mentor(s) will show you have consulted with them and will also help to show your plan is feasible.
Is the purchase of equipment eligible?
The purchase of equipment (for example, cameras, speakers, Laptops) are ineligible under the bursary.
Are publication costs of literature eligible?
The publication costs related to literature are ineligible under the bursary.
Are recording costs of music eligible?
The production costs related to music recording are ineligible under the bursary.
Are subsistence or travel costs eligible?
Subsistence costs such as daily per diems or work-related travel costs are not eligible under the bursary.
What is meant by 'action research'?
Action research is setting out a plan of action to learn something new about your practice. This learning is not set within formal education. Explaining why this is important to the development of your practice is helpful when making a case for this approach.
What are examples of 'capacity building'?
Capacity building is the process by which individuals improve skills, knowledge, and other resources to do an arts practice competently. Explaining why this is important to the development of your practice helps make a case for this approach.
Would renting a studio space be an example of capacity building?
Yes, you can rent a studio if that is the most useful thing to support your work at this time.
Would writing a screenplay at a residency for three weeks be covered by the bursary?
Yes, a residency with a plan for making artistic work over that time and adding to your learning journey would be covered. This residency can take place outside of County Longford. In this case, considering how you may bring that learning back to Longford helps make a case for this approach.
What should the proposed budget include about 'buying time' living costs?
The budget for living costs should be allocated in proportion to the intended costs of the bursary overall. This bursary is not fully for your living costs. Your time and/or a portion of your time, to make your proposal happen should be costed out.
What details should be supplied about under estimated income?
Estimated income could include scholarships, support from another funder(s), earned income, or in-kind support from a venue or organisation.
Are there recommended guidelines for calculating artist fees in the budget?
Resource organisations such as Visual Artists Ireland, Theatre Forum or Dance Ireland may be able to suggest industry standards for payment related to experience.
Will this bursary funding support be repeated?
It is hoped that the Arts Bursary will be repeated annually but at present it is conditional on year-to-year funding.
Can I apply for the bursary every year?
Yes, you may apply every year. Being successful in attaining funding does not guarantee funding in subsequent years.
How many supporting samples of work should I include?
A maximum of three examples of your work can be included. Be selective, put in examples of practice and clearly label what these examples relate to help your application.
Can a timeline be included as an additional document for the 'feasibility' section if it is over 500 words?
Yes, you can attach a timeline and budget breakdown in supporting documents.
