Wicklow County Arts Office Submission Manager

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Please complete one of the forms linked below and upload the required supporting documentation to submit an application.

2025 ARTIST & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AWARD SCHEME

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Wicklow County Arts Office

Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme 2025

1. BACKGROUND

Wicklow County Arts Office established the Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme as one of several funding streams designed to support artists, arts participation and art form development. These initiatives are integral to Wicklow County Council’s broader efforts to encourage excellence in the arts and enhance community involvement in artistic endeavours across the county.

2. SCHEME PURPOSE

Participation and access are core strategic objectives of Wicklow County Arts Office. This award scheme will enable artists and communities to engage in arts programmes, explore their creativity, interact and exchange ideas with others and embark on new learning journeys.

The Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme 2025 creates opportunities for artists and communities of place or communities of interest to grow new ideas and resource themselves to develop something new, test out innovative thinking and explore ways of working collaboratively to create a new project or programme.

Professional artists and community groups are invited to apply for this awards scheme.

Applications are welcome from all art forms including film, music, visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, architecture, animation, performance, circus, traditional arts, film, music and drama.

Before submitting an application, artists and community groups are required to have already approached the respective artist or community group collaborator and must provide written confirmation of their commitment to the proposal.

The primary objective of the Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme is to facilitate an artist and community partnership in any artistic discipline or genre, aimed at creating and delivering a high-quality project or programme that nurtures the creative growth of both the artist and the community.

This award funding is designed to cover one of the following areas, either partially or in full:

A research and development phase of a planned initiative or
The production or realisation of a new arts project or programme in 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: the maximum award available through this scheme is €5,000.

When applying, details of all projected income and expenditure involved in the project must be clearly laid out. Evidence of funding support from other sources will reflect positively in the assessment of proposals.

3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

To be considered for the Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme, applications should exhibit the following:

The extent of collaboration evidenced:

Demonstrate a clear and considered plan describing how the collaboration will be developed and managed
Provide an overall timeline detailing project delivery, promotion and evaluation

Benefit to both artists and community:

Outline how the proposal will distinctly benefit both the artist’s professional growth and the community group’s artistic growth

Excellence of artist’s work:

Demonstrate an inventive, ambitious, and innovative approach to the proposal
Provide evidence of a robust and proven professional arts background (through the artist’s CV and accompanying documentation)

Financial feasibility of proposal:

Provide a breakdown of project expenses within the budget including a breakdown of any additional sources of funding or income Background to community group and evidence of ability to deliver:
Demonstrate and evidence the lead applicant’s ability to manage and deliver the proposal
Describe the community group’s shared interests, broad objectives, and their proven capability in project management
Provide a well-defined project timeline (for project completion within the timeframe of the Award)

3.1 WHAT IS NOT ELIGIBLE?

For-profit or fundraising projects
Deficits or start-up costs for new organisations
Alcohol / Entertainment/ Hospitality / Food & Drink expenditure
Projects where the majority of activity takes place outside of County Wicklow
Insurance costs where it is more than 10% of the awarded amount
Capital improvements / Capital asset purchases
Proposals where the majority of costs relate to equipment hire/ administrative costs

4. ASSESSMENT PROCESS

A diverse pool of assessment panel members, comprising arts practitioners, arts managers, curators, producers, and individuals with relevant artistic and community expertise, along with local knowledge, will contribute to maintaining a well-rounded perspective and expertise during the application assessment process.

Once appointed, the Assessment Panel will have access to submitted applications and will convene to evaluate, shortlist, and recommend award recipients for 2025.

5. CONDITIONS

1. All awards are subject to the availability of funds. Awards may be withheld at the discretion of Wicklow County Council. The Community group must be based in County Wicklow and the project must take place in County Wicklow.

2. The lead applicant (community group or artist) is required to have a bank account into which the awarded funds will be deposited if the application is successful. The lead applicant must pay the artist and any other expenses relating to the proposed project directly from the awarded funds.

3. The lead applicant must have access to appropriate facilities for the proposed project, i.e. digital capacity, storage, heated room, toilet facilities, hot and cold running water, management committee, chairperson, caretaker etc.

4. Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted online via the link provided on our website.

5. Applications must be complete and have all relevant support documentation. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted.

6. No emailed or posted applications will be accepted, applicants must apply through 'Submittable' our online platform.

7. All applications must adhere to the guidelines set out in this document.

8. An online acknowledgement will be sent to the applicant confirming receipt of an Application.

9. Applications will be assessed by a panel of professional arts practitioners and will include representation from Wicklow County Council.

10. Shortlisting is likely to apply.

11. Applicants will be notified as soon as is practicable. It is anticipated that the overall process from submission of applications to notification of outcomes will take approx. 6-8 weeks.

12. Successful applicants will, on completion of their project, be required to submit a brief final evaluation report, and an Income and Expenditure account detailing how the funding was spent along with receipts.

13. Successful applicants may be required to provide evidence of Public Liability, Employers Liability and/or Professional Indemnity Insurance, as appropriate, upon signing a Letter of Offer.

14. Wicklow County Council logo must be included in all project-related PR campaigns. Wicklow County Arts Office will provide a branding pack to successful applicants.

15. Wicklow County Council must receive accreditation i.e. “supported by Wicklow County Council” on invitations, final artistic output etc.

16. If a launch or celebration is organised as part of the project, the Wicklow County Art Office must be notified in advance and invited to attend.

17. Where relevant, compliance with best practice and legislation in Child Protection as outlined by the Department of Health and Children – www.dohc.ie must be adhered to.

18. I is expected that proposals should be realised in full within the timeframe specified in the application.

19. Wicklow County Council reserves the right to review the Award Scheme at any time and make any changes deemed necessary without prior notification to applicants.

20. Applicants are required to read the Wicklow County Council GDPR statement in its entirety.

21. Please Note: post-assessment, the provision of detailed feedback on applications submitted is not possible.

6. DOCUMENTATION & EVALUATION

Projects supported under the Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme 2025 must be documented throughout the lifetime of the project. The final report submitted must include the following:

An evaluation report to include a reflection of the overall experience(s) throughout the project from the perspective of the participants, artist(s) or community group
A short written report detailing how the grant from Wicklow County Council was expended i.e. project details, cost, timeframe, match-funding, outcomes
A Financial Report detailing a breakdown in costs incurred along with Proof of Expenditure i.e. paid invoices/receipts to the value of the grant amount awarded
A visual record (images/video) of the main stages of the project. A minimum of 5 high-quality digital images are required (the images should be 300dpi, with a size of 292 x 195mm and saved as a JPEG. Max. Size 1-2 MB per image). Wicklow County Council reserves the right to use these images for any publicity relating to this scheme
Evidence of your recognition/ accreditation of Wicklow County Council’s financial contribution to the project e.g. local newspaper articles, advertisements, reports, promotion material, etc. If a permanent artwork is created, Wicklow County Arts Office should be credited alongside the permanent work.

7. HOW TO APPLY

Read all documentation carefully. Under the ‘Apply Online’ section on our website, click on the ‘Apply Here’ link, choose the ‘Submit’ button next to ‘Artists & Community Collaboration Award Scheme 2024’ and complete the following:

↳ Enter all relevant details on the online application form (emailed/ faxed/posted applications will not be accepted)

↳ Upload the budget for 2025 plus an Income and Expenditure account for 2024. Please ensure to include the amount of grant funding being sought (budget templates available on our website must be used)

↳ Upload supporting documentation including:

» An up-to-date Artist CV (max 2 pages)

» 5 examples of work that represent the artist’s work. This can include images, reviews, letters of support, treatments, draft scores, and audio or video recordings (links to YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, MP4 etc.) If individuals are captured in any image/video, a signed image consent form is required for each individual.

» Letter of support from the director/chairperson of the community group

7.1 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING

Tax Clearance Confirmation
Evidence of Public Liability, Employers Liability and/or Professional Indemnity Insurance as appropriate

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday 05th February 2025 at 4 pm

For questions or application support, contact wicklowartsoffice@ktcl.ie

This email support service is available up to 5pm Wednesday, 29th January 2025.

Please make your subject line ‘Artist & Community Collaboration Awards 2025’

Please be advised that a Webinar for the Artist Awards and the Artist & Community Collaboration Awards will take place on Monday next 13th January 2025 commencing 11:00 AM and finishing 12:15 PM.

This webinar provides an opportunity for artists to fully understand the application process for the Awards, and to ask any relevant questions which they may have regarding the process.

The webinar will be facilitated by Marianne O'Kane Boal.

The link for this webinar is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4611890290?pwd=U0tlMThXeHVPWWlyck9DOHBTa204QT09&omn=89629107589

2025 ARTIST AWARDS SCHEME

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Wicklow County Arts Office

Artist Award Scheme 2025

1. BACKGROUND

Wicklow County Arts Office established the Artist Award Scheme as one of several funding streams designed to support artists, arts participation and art form development. These initiatives are integral to Wicklow County Council’s broader efforts to encourage excellence in the arts and enhance community involvement in artistic endeavours across the county.

2. SCHEME PURPOSE

The Artist Award Scheme assists professional artists in the development of artistic practice by enabling them to explore meaningful ways to create work, test out innovative thinking and grow new ideas. The award supports professional practising artists to develop or realise a particular body of work or to undertake professional development.

The scheme is open to artists at all stages of their careers that reside in or are native to County Wicklow. Professional artists working in any art form, discipline or genre including; film, music, visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, architecture, animation, performance, circus, traditional arts, film, music and drama, are eligible to apply to this scheme.

This scheme aims to enable artists to:

Develop and/or present new work
Consider new approaches to their work in the digital and virtual space as a valid and essential arena for artistic endeavour
Reach out to and connect with vital collaborators, networks, peers and other socially engaged artists, academics, community leaders etc to develop a discourse on their practice
Connect with international networks, organisations and practitioners, to develop future collaborations and opportunities on an international scale
Work in collaboration with communities of place and communities of interest in County Wicklow to develop and/ or present new work.

The purpose of the Artist Award Scheme is to support and nurture professional artistic practice in County Wicklow. In recognition of the limitations and the challenges posed to artists and their practice, we aim to:

i. Support the development and creation of virtual, digital and physical practice and methodologies

ii. Support reflective ways of thinking and developing work which includes the creation of new local, national and/or international collaboration, reaching across borders tangible and imaginary.

Note: In practical terms, this may include short-term mentorships, training or development support at the postgraduate level. It may also include the presentation of new work outside the county and/or country by an artist resident in County Wicklow (where there is demonstrable benefit to the artist’s practice)

iii. Support the creation of new works in all art forms that respond to times of social change, research new ideas; question themes or insights and look to the future.

Note: The proposed artworks must generate dialogue through contemporary arts and have a significant impact on the artist’s career development

While the maximum award available is €5,000, awards are often made for lesser amounts.

Previous Artist Award Scheme applications have sought support to:

Participate in short-term courses or specialist workshops
Contribute to the costs of participation in a residency
Take part in professional mentoring programmes or development opportunities
‘Buy time’ to develop or research a new body of work

3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

To be considered for the Scheme, applications should exhibit the following:

Excellence (latent or achieved) of artistic practice:

↳ Provide evidence of a robust and proven professional arts background (through the applicant’s CV and accompanying documentation)

Quality and innovation of approach:

↳ Demonstration of inventive, ambitious, high-quality and innovative approaches in applicant proposals (including embracing digital or virtual practices)

Distinctive benefit to artist’s professional practice:

↳ Outline how the proposal will distinctly benefit the applicant’s professional growth as an artist and/ or professional practice outputs

Feasibility and viability of proposal (including evidence of advanced planning):

↳ Provide a well-defined project timeline (for project completion within the timeframe of the Award)

Financial Feasibility:

↳ Provide a breakdown of project expenses within your budget including a breakdown of any additional sources of funding or income (including evidence of finances received, permissions and/ or licenses already in place).

3.1 WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

This award is open to all professional practising artists across all art forms and genres. Applicants must be from

or residing in County Wicklow for the past three consecutive years.

3.2 WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Undergraduates
Persons currently in full-time education
Persons not residing in County Wicklow for the past three consecutive years

3.3 CATEGORIES NOT ELIGIBLE UNDER THIS AWARD

Full-time undergraduate education
Any project which has already begun or is underway (unless there was a first phase of a project and what is proposed is a distinctive second phase or subsequent development).
Initiatives which form part of a competitive, charitable or fundraising context
Funds for capital purchases such as equipment
Alcohol / Hospitality / Food & Drinks expenditure
Insurance costs
Self-publishing within literature; CD production within music; materials within the visual arts (paint/canvas etc.); bridging finance; final editing; purchase of equipment

4. ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The Assessment Panel, once appointed, will have access to the submitted applications and will convene to evaluate them, shortlist, and recommend award recipients for 2025.

5. CONDITIONS

1. All awards are subject to the availability of funds. Awards may be withheld or divided at the discretion of Wicklow County Council

2. All projects must take place in County Wicklow or be of benefit to the residents of the County except projects which involve international collaborators. Applicants must indicate their relationship with the County as outlined in the Application Form

3. Applicants must provide evidence that any organisational commitment referenced by the artist in support of their application has been confirmed e.g. letters of support to show that a particular mentor is available, a place on a course is secured, or an exhibition opportunity confirmed

4. Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted online via the link provided on our website.

The Budget template provided on our website is the only acceptable budget format.

5. Applications must be complete and have all relevant support documentation. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted

6. No emailed or posted applications will be accepted, applicants must apply through our online platform

7. All applications must adhere to the guidelines set out in this document

8. An online acknowledgement will be sent to the applicant confirming receipt of an Application

9. Applications will be assessed by a panel of professional arts practitioners and will include representation from Wicklow County Council

10. Shortlisting is likely to apply

11. Applicants will be notified as soon as is practicable. It is anticipated that the overall process from submission of applications to notification of outcomes will take approx. 6-8 weeks

12. Successful applicants will be required to submit documentation and high-quality visuals along with a brief report and an Income and Expenditure account before the final drawdown of funding and project completion

13. Successful applicants must hold Public Liability, Employers Liability and/or Professional Indemnity Insurance as appropriate and they may be asked to submit evidence of coverage

14. Wicklow County Council must be credited in any publicity relating to the work which was supported under this scheme. A letter of offer will set out our specific branding and crediting requirements

15. Where relevant, compliance with best practices and legislation in Child Protection as outlined by the Department of Health and Children – www.dohc.ie must be adhered to.

16. Proposals should be realised in full within the timeframe specified in the application. Any changes to the timeframe must be agreed in advance by the Wicklow Arts Officer.

17. Wicklow County Council reserves the right to review the Award Scheme at any time and as a result, may make any changes necessary without any prior notice

18. Applicants are required to read the Wicklow County Council GDPR statement in its entirety

19. Please note that post-assessment, the provision of detailed feedback on applications submitted is not possible.

6. DOCUMENTATION & EVALUATION

Projects supported under the Artist Award Scheme must be documented throughout the lifetime of the project. The final report submitted must include the following:

↳ An evaluation report to include a reflection of the overall experience(s) throughout the project from the perspective of the participants, artist(s), coordinating organisation or community group.

↳ A short written report detailing how the grant from Wicklow County Council was expended i.e. project details, cost, timeframe, match-funding, outcomes.

↳ A Budget Report along with Proof of Expenditure i.e. paid invoices/ receipts to the value of the grant amount awarded.

↳ A visual record (images/video) of the main stages of the project. A minimum of 5 high-quality digital images are required (the images should be 300dpi, with a size of 292 x 195mm and saved as a JPEG. Max. Size 1-2 MB per image). Wicklow County Council reserves the right to use these images for any publicity relating to this scheme

↳ Evidence of your recognition/ accreditation of Wicklow County Council’s financial contribution to the project e.g. local newspaper articles, advertisements, reports, promotion material, etc. If a permanent artwork is created, Wicklow County Arts Office should be credited alongside the permanent work.

7. HOW TO APPLY

Read all documentation carefully. Under the ‘Apply Online’ section on our website, click on the ‘Apply Here’ link, choose the ‘Submit’ button next to ‘Artist Award Scheme 2025’ and complete the following:

↳ Enter all relevant details on the online application form (emailed/ faxed/posted applications will not be accepted)

↳ Write a detailed description of your project (1,500 words max)

↳ Describe how the Artist Award Scheme would benefit your professional practice

↳ Upload a budget for 2025 plus an Income and Expenditure account for 2024. Please ensure the amount of grant funding you are seeking is included on the budget document (the budget templates available on our website must be used)

↳ Upload supporting documentation including:

» An up-to-date Artist CV (max 2 pages)

» 5 examples of your work or items that demonstrate your track record. This can include images, reviews, letters of support, treatments, draft scores, and audio or video recordings (links to YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, MP4 etc.)

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DEADLINE TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO RECTIFY ANY SUBMITTING ISSUE(S) IF NEEDED.

7.1 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING

Tax Clearance Confirmation
Evidence of being from, or, resident in County Wicklow for the past three consecutive years.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Wednesday 05th February 2025 at 4pm

For questions or application support, contact wicklowartsoffice@ktcl.ie. Please make your subject line ‘Artist Award Scheme 2025’. This email support service is available up to 5pm Wednesday, 29th January 2025.

Please be advised that a Webinar for the Artist Awards and the Artist & Community Collaboration Awards will take place on Monday next 13th January 2025 commencing 11:00 AM and finishing 12:15 PM.

This webinar provides an opportunity for artists to fully understand the application process for the Awards, and to ask any relevant questions which they may have regarding the process.

The webinar will be facilitated by Marianne O'Kane Boal.

The link for this webinar is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4611890290?pwd=U0tlMThXeHVPWWlyck9DOHBTa204QT09&omn=89629107589

2025 ARTS FESTIVAL AWARD SCHEME

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Wicklow County Arts Office

Arts Festival Award Scheme 2025

1. BACKGROUND

Wicklow County Arts Office established the Arts Festival Award Scheme as one of several funding streams designed to support artists, arts participation and art form development. These initiatives are integral to Wicklow County Council’s broader efforts to encourage excellence in the arts and enhance community involvement in artistic endeavours across the county.

2. SCHEME PURPOSE

The primary objective of the Arts Festival Awards Scheme is to support the development and programming of Arts Festivals in County Wicklow. This award seeks to financially assist Festival development plans and/or programmes for the year 2025, covering:

i. The production or commissioning of new work for the Festival

ii. The engagement of professional artists or ensembles as part of the Festival programme

iii. Implementation of specific measures targeting audience development and/or public engagement.

iv. The development of new strategies and/or approaches to the delivery of the Festival

It’s essential to note that the maximum award available through this scheme is capped at €15,000.

3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

To be considered for the Arts Festival Award Scheme, applications should exhibit the following:

Production/commissioning of new work & engagement of professional artists/ensembles:

↳ Demonstrate a clear and considered plan describing how the festival will be developed, managed, produced and presented

↳ Describe how professional artists/ensembles will be engaged

↳ Provide a well-defined project timeline, detailing the festival’s delivery, promotion and evaluation (for project completion within the timeframe of the Award)

Public engagement and audience development:

↳ Describe how the festival will reach new and existing audiences

Proven track record of delivery:

↳ Demonstrate a strong track record in programming, presenting, and producing successful arts festivals

Distinctive nature of artistic merit and evidence of ambition and innovation:

↳ Demonstrate the festival’s artistic merit and distinctive qualities

↳ Display ambition and innovation in the proposal, to advance festival development beyond previous iterations

Feasibility of proposal (advance planning and finances):

↳ Provide a breakdown of project expenses within the budget including a breakdown of any additional sources of funding or income (including evidence of finances received, permissions and/or licenses already in place).

3.1 WHAT IS NOT ELIGIBLE?

Administration costs
Non-Arts Festival Events
For-profit or fundraising projects
Competitive initiatives
Alcohol / Entertainment/ Hospitality / Food & Drink expenditure
Festivals which take place outside of County Wicklow
Insurance costs where it is more than 10% of the awarded amount
Capital improvements / Capital Asset purchases
Festival projects or programmes where the majority of costs relate to equipment hire
Projects that focus primarily on the community rather than artistic outcomes

4. ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The Assessment Panel, once appointed, will have access to the submitted applications and will convene to evaluate them, shortlist, and recommend award recipients for 2025.

5. CONDITIONS

1. All awards are subject to the availability of funds. Awards may be withheld or divided at the discretion of Wicklow County Council.

2. Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted online via the link provided on our website.

3. Applications must be complete and have all relevant support documentation. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted.

4. No emailed or posted applications will be accepted, applicants must apply through our online platform.

5. All applications must adhere to the guidelines set out in this document.

6. Applicants must already have a Festival bank account and constitution or memorandum of association.

7. An online acknowledgement will be sent to the applicant to confirm receipt of the application.

8. Applications will be assessed by a panel of professional arts practitioners and will include representation from Wicklow County Council.

9. Shortlisting is likely to apply.

10. Applicants will be notified as soon as is practicable. It is anticipated that the overall process from submission of applications to notification of outcomes will take approx. 6-8 weeks.

11. Successful applicants are required on completion of the festival to submit an Evaluation Report, an Income and Expenditure account for the Festival, copies of paid invoices/payment receipts to the value of the award amount. The report must also include audience numbers (virtual and in-person).

12. Successful applicants are required to provide evidence of Public Liability, Employers Liability and/or Professional Indemnity Insurance, as appropriate, upon signing the letter of offer.

13. Wicklow County Council must be credited in any publicity relating to the work which was supported under this scheme. A Letter of Offer will set out the specific branding and crediting requirements.

14. Where relevant, compliance with best practices and legislation in Child Protection as outlined by the Department of Health and Children is mandatory – www.dohc.ie

15. Wicklow County Council reserves the right to review the Award Scheme at any time and make any changes deemed necessary without prior notification to applicants.

16. Applicants are required to read the Wicklow County Council GDPR statement in its entirety.

Please note that post-assessment, the provision of detailed feedback on applications submitted is not possible.

6. DOCUMENTATION & EVALUATION

Projects supported under the Festival Awards must be documented throughout the lifetime of the project. The final report submitted must include the following:

An evaluation report to include a reflection of the overall experience(s) throughout the project from the perspective of the participants, artist(s), coordinating organisation or community group
A short written report detailing how the grant from Wicklow County Council was expended i.e. project details, cost, timeframe, match-funding, outcomes
A Financial Report detailing a breakdown in costs incurred along with Proof of Expenditure i.e. paid invoices/receipts to the value of the grant amount awarded
A visual record (images/video) of the main stages of the project. A minimum of 5 high-quality digital images are required (the images should be 300dpi, with a size of 292 x 195mm and saved as a JPEG. Max. Size 1-2 MB per image). Wicklow County Council reserves the right to use these images for any publicity relating to this scheme
Evidence of your recognition/ accreditation of Wicklow County Council’s financial contribution to the project e.g. local newspaper articles, advertisements, reports, promotion material, etc. If a permanent artwork is created, Wicklow County Arts Office should be credited alongside the permanent work.

7. HOW TO APPLY

Read all documentation carefully.

Under the ‘Apply Online’ section on our website, click on the ‘Apply Here’ link, choose the ‘Submit’ button next to ‘Festival Awards Scheme 2025’ and complete the following:

↳ Enter all relevant details on the online application form (emailed/ faxed/posted applications will not be accepted)

↳ Write a detailed description of the Festival (1,500 words max)

↳ Include details of what area you wish to apply the investment from Wicklow County Council

↳ Upload the Budget for 2025 plus an Income and Expenditure account for 2024 (budget templates available on our website must be used)

↳ Upload supporting documentation including:

» An up-to-date CV (max 2 pages)

» 5 examples of work that represent demonstrate the Festivals track record. This can include images, reviews, letters of support, treatments, draft scores, and audio or video recordings (links to YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, MP4 etc.) If individuals are captured in any image/video, a signed consent form is required for each individual.

7.1 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING

Tax Clearance Confirmation
Evidence of Public Liability, Employers Liability and/or Professional Indemnity Insurance as appropriate

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Wednesday 05th February 2025 at 4pm

For questions or application support, contact wicklowartsoffice@ktcl.ie. Please make your subject line ‘Festival Awards Scheme 2025’. This email support service is available up to 5pm Wednesday, 29th January 2025.

2025 WICKLOW SHORT FILM AWARDS SCHEME

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WICKLOW SHORT FILM AWARD SCHEME 2025

Screen Wicklow and Wicklow Arts Office are pleased to announce the Wicklow Short Film Award for 2025. The purpose of the award is to support Wicklow filmmakers to make high-quality, original films in the county. Narrative films, documentary, digital film and animation are all eligible to apply. The Wicklow Short Film Award is funded by Wicklow County Council and the Arts Council.

For 2025, there will be a maximum of 2 grants of up to €15,000 each for the production of a short film or documentary. Films should be approximately 10-15 minutes in duration, although animation projects may be shorter. The total fund therefore for award in 2025 is €30,000.00.

This is a film production award, and scripts must be fully developed prior to application. This award cannot be used to develop scripts or ideas, and films must be ready to go into production within two months of funding being awarded. Films must be shot in County Wicklow.

We are seeking applicants who have a track record of filmmaking, and who can demonstrate involvement in high-quality, creative and original film. Applicants may apply individually but priority will be given to applicants who have already assembled a core creative team (including writer, director & producer).

Wicklow County Council has a strong history of supporting the development of the film industry in the county, and is proud to be host to a bourgeoning professional commercial film sector. It is our intention that making these two awards will have a significant impact on two film makers and their progression in the film industry.

Please note that successful applicants must have a registered production company in order to draw down the funding, and appropriate insurance must be in place prior to the commencement of filming. In collaboration with Clermont Screen Hub, successful applicants will also receive additional supports including access to co-working space.

Screen Wicklow will also assist grant recipients with locations, permits etc. and where possible, Wicklow Arts Office and Screen Wicklow will seek to facilitate screening opportunities for the two successfully funded films.

Questions and enquiries about the Wicklow Short Film Award may be directed to filmaward@wicklowcoco.ie and an FAQ document will be published online.

The closing date for applications is Monday 7th April at 4pm.

The primary applicant must be native to County Wicklow or residing in County Wicklow for the past three consecutive years. For all further eligibility criteria and funding guidelines please see https://www.wicklow.ie/Business/Film/Funding

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & FUNDING GUIDELINES

· The primary applicant must be native to County Wicklow or residing in County Wicklow for the past three consecutive years.

· Part-time or full-time students are not eligible to apply.

· The main applicant must apply through a registered limited company. Company registration details will be requested in the Application Form.

· Applicants must be full tax compliant and must provide a Tax Clearance Access Number within their application form.

· Projects that require significant additional finance (unless this is already in place) are not eligible.

· Films that have either been part-shot or fully shot are not eligible.

· Only a single project may be submitted by any applicant.

· Applicants must have a track record of involvement with film-making, and should highlight any roles in previous productions.

· The majority of each film must be shot in County Wicklow.

· Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend an interview/pitching session on or around 15th and 16th May 2025. Specific dates and times will be communicated when applicants have been shortlisted.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Application Process will involve two stages, with shortlisted applicants being required to attend an interview/pitching session with a panel of industry specialists.

All applications must be submitted through the Wicklow Arts Office online application platform.

Applicants will be required to submit the following:

· Completed Application Form (online)

· Project Synopsis (500 words) to include an outline of the plot

· Logline (50 words max)

· Copy of the full script/screenplay (please ensure the writer’s name has been removed from this document)

· Project Plan (include proposed film schedule, filming locations, proposed casting etc.)

· Film Festival/Screening Strategy (please provide information about your planned submissions to film festivals, or other screening opportunities)

· Project Budget (including all production costs, cast, crew, travel, logistics, music etc.). If additional finance has been secured, please provide proof of funds.

· CV of the Primary Applicant and for any other confirmed member of the creative team (e.g. director, producer, cast etc.)

· Links to showreel, or samples of previous work (including main applicant and other confirmed team members.

· Director/Producer’s Notes and Insights (include considerations on visual style, treatment, approaches etc.)

· Evidence/Confirmation of Ownership of Rights

· In the case of animation projects, please include visual samples (characters, backgrounds etc.) where possible.

· In the case of a documentary which focuses on another person’s life story (or similar topic), please submit a signed statement from the relevant person/people verifying that they have given their permission for the film.

· Additional relevant supporting material may be submitted at the discretion of the applicant.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Applications will be assessed against 5 assessment criteria with weightings applied as below.

· The creativity/quality of the project proposal. [35/100]

· The considerate and appropriate use of County Wicklow as a filming location. [20/100]

· The track record of the main applicant. [15/100]

· The track record, capacity and ability of the creative team to deliver the project. [25/100]

· Proposed Film Festival/Screening Strategy [5/100]

TERMS OF FUNDING

· All films must be shot for the most part in County Wicklow. Where possible, post-production should also take place in County Wicklow. Screen Wicklow and Clermont Screen Hub will provide support to successful applicants in this regard.

· Appropriate insurance must be in place prior to filming take place, and proof of insurance will be requested by the funders.

· If production has not commenced within 2 months of the grant being awarded, the funders reserve the right to award the funding to another candidate instead (allocated in order of application scoring).

· The legal rights to all materials submitted (including scripts, screenplays, treatments, characters etc.) must be fully and completely owned by the applicant. Scripts/screenplays must be the original work of the applicant. If a script/screenplay is an adaptation of an existing work (eg. short story), relevant legal documentation must be submitted proving that the applicant owns all underlying rights to make the adaptation.

· Applicants will be required to have completed all filming, editing and post-production before Friday 31st October 2025. Please ensure your filming schedule allows for this timeframe.

· Wicklow County Council, Wicklow Arts Office, Screen Wicklow and The Arts Council must be acknowledged in the film credits, as well as on all related websites, social media, publicity and marketing materials. The relevant logos must be included in the final cut of the finished films.

· Health & Safety Regulations, Equal Opportunities Policies, Child Protection & Safeguarding, Garda Vetting and other relevant policies and legislation must be in place and adhered to at all times.

· If shortlisted, the main applicant must attend an in-person interview where they will be invited to pitch their film to a panel of industry specialists. It is advisable that all members of the core creative team (writer, director, producer) also attend this interview.

DISCLAIMER – please read carefully

It will be a condition of any application for funding under the terms and conditions of the Wicklow County Council – The Arts Council project that the applicant has read, understood and accepted the following:

1. Wicklow County Council shall not be liable to the applicant or any other party in respect of any loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from:

The application or the subject matter of the application.
The rejection for any reason of any application.

2. Wicklow County Council shall not be held responsible or liable, at any time in any circumstances, in relation to any matter whatsoever arising in connection with the administration of activities. In respect of monies provided by Wicklow County Council, the Council does not undertake the role of ‘Client’ or ‘Employer’ as defined in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

3. By submitting an application, applicants agree to the processing and disclosure of the applicant’s information by Wicklow County Council, and to other third parties if required for Fund administration, reporting, evaluation and audit purposes; and successful applicants further consent to the disclosure of this information (e.g. name of successful applicant, amount of award, event details, etc.) by these parties in connection with the marketing or promotion of the Fund. Personal data will be processed only in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Data Protection legislation.

Awards maybe divided or withheld at the discretion of Wicklow County Council. The assessment panel decision is final.

Late and / or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Funded by Wicklow County Council and The Arts Council

Wicklow County Arts Office