An exciting summer for the arts is sadly concluding, but as the evenings shorten there is much to look forward to in performance, in exhibitions and in festivals that promise to be beams of light during the dark winter. As well as receiving the first applications for funding under our new Funding Framework we also have a busy programme of other work at the Arts Council over the coming months.

• Festival Investment Scheme -  Clinics

• Touring 2018/2019

• Reminder – Now open Visual Artists' Workspace Scheme 2018

• Creative Place Programme Research

• Provision of Art Collection Services 

Looking ahead and following a review of the Festival and Events Scheme, we are announcing a new revised scheme for 2018. The closing date is Thursday 26 October 2017 at 5.30pm for festivals taking place in 2018. Information Clinics will be offered at 4 locations across the country and the details are at the link above.

Visual Artists Ireland, on behalf of the Arts Council, invite applications for grants towards the running costs of visual artists’ workspaces. The deadline for applications is 5.30pm Thursday 12 October 2017.

Another date to note isJanuary 11, 2018. This is the application date for tours from July to December 2018 and for Advance Planning 2019.

In other news the Arts Council has begun the research phase of a new Creative Place programme which is intended to be rolled out in 2018. The programme will enable more communities to choose, join in and generate remarkable arts experiences in the places where they live.

We also wish to appoint a suitably qualified Service Provider (individual or Company) to provide Art Collection Services to support us in managing and maintaining our wonderful art collection both from a quality and service delivery perspective.

As the summer concludes there is much to look forward to and much to do.

Yours sincerely,



Orlaith McBride
Director