Artist Development Scheme

The Artist Development Scheme aligns and streamlines the supports offered by Clare County Council to artists (established and emerging) across all artforms.

The scheme is offered by Clare County Council as it aligns to Flourish – Clare Arts Development Plan 2019 – 2023 and our mission to
• Offer strategic support for artists

The scheme intends to

provide opportunities for artists living in Clare to engage in professional development opportunities such as (but not limited to)

• attendance at artform specific events, particularly once off events and opportunities
• attendance at professional development events run by arts resource organisations eg. Theatre Forum Conference etc.
• participate in national mentoring schemes eg Words Ireland etc.
• publicly funded summer schools
• publicly funded artists retreats eg Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris

We welcome applications from established and emerging artists across all artforms.

The scheme is NOT intended to

a) replace the Artists Support grants scheme run through the Arts Act Grants of the Clare Local Area Grants Scheme (CLAGS).

b) displace any other professional development schemes in the county such as the glór Mentoring Scheme

Successful applicants will be required, as far as is feasible, to complete their activity by December 31st, 2024.

CRITERIA

1. The bursaries are open to creative practitioners, in all art forms (as defined by the 2003 Arts Act), living in County Clare.
2. Applicants should show significant achievement or potential in their chosen field.
3. Each application must be accompanied by an artistic curriculum vitae and samples of the artist’s work.
4. Applicants should state clearly what they are applying for.
5. Applicants should state clearly when they hope to attend.
6. Applicants should state clearly the costs involved. In the case of summer schools / residencies etc. a letter of offer from the organisation should be included outlining the costs involved. (Note: In general payments will be made to the organisations and not to individual artists. In the case of travel expenses for individuals these will only be paid on a receipt basis)
7. Applicants should state clearly what they wish to accomplish / how their practice will be impacted by their attendance.
8. Positive weighting will be applied to applicants who demonstrate financial hardship.
9. Previous recipients may reapply but positive weighting will be applied to applicants who have not previously received bursary support from the Arts Office.

ASSESSMENT

On assessing your application we will take the following into account:

• Artistic Background / Track Record / Potential of Applicant (30 marks)
• Outline of what you wish to accomplish during your stay at your chosen festival / summer school / retreat (30 marks)
• Potential Impact of the Proposal on your own own Artistic / Professional Development (30 marks)
• Value for Money (10 marks)

We are very conscious that one size will not fill all and that each application will vary considerably in terms of its scope and scale. If there is something we have not covered, or something you have a burning desire to let us know, please include it in the application or upload it with your application.

Applicants may apply up to the value of €1000 but we envisage making a number of smaller awards.

We reserve the right to offer a contribution to the costs involved, in lieu of the full costs.

We reserve the right to have a shortlisted panel in place if artists are unable to take up their offer so we can offer it to the next shortlisted candidate.