Clare Arts Office are now inviting applications for the Embrace for Arts and People with Disabilities Scheme 2024/2025. There are 2 strands to this award:

1. Artists Project Residencies
2. One to One Residencies

Expressions of interest: We are also seeking expressions of interest from organisations who might be interested in weekly group sessions in a mutual venue in Ennis with Sing Ireland in the new year.

• Organisations must be able to travel to the agreed venue weekly.
• The programme would last between 6-8 weeks
• Each session would be roughly 1.5 hours weekly

Please fill in the form below to express your interest.

Arts and People with Disabilities Scheme 2024/2025.
Organisations can select artists from the Embrace Artists Panel (External Link) only for the purpose of making the application.

• Residency applications must be developed and written JOINTLY with the artist of choice and organisation coordinator. It must be submitted by one party but a copy will be sent to both Artist and Coordinator there after.
• The deadline for receipt of applications is the 12 November.

Please see below for full details on the scheme and how to apply.

Aims of the Scheme

The Embrace Residency Programme has been designed to create the following opportunities for artists with disabilities at all levels in their arts practice and to support artists who facilitate projects and teach creative workshops in the area of arts & disability.

The following are the aims of the scheme.

• To offer participants the opportunity to engage in and enjoy inclusive, high quality, well supported residencies and projects across all art forms.
• To offer artists at all levels who have a disability the opportunity to develop their arts practices and professional skills and to exhibit and share their work publicly.
• To offer professional arts facilitators whose arts practices center on Arts and Disability the opportunity for employment and the opportunity to develop their professional skills.

The 2024/2025 Embrace Programme has two strands:

1) Artists Project Residencies: This award is open to organisations and artists on our Embrace Artist’s panel who wish to make a joint application to deliver high quality participatory arts project/s to a group of participants. Award amount €1,340 (50% funded by Clare Arts and 50% funded by organisation)

2) One to One Residencies: This award is open to artists who have a disability and who wish to avail of in-depth one to one tutoring and whose arts practice may benefit from a tailored and focused studio support with a professional artist. Applications can be submitted by an organisation and participant with input from selected professional artist from the Embrace Artist's Panel. Award amount €1,340 (50% funded by Clare Arts and 50% funded by organisation)

If you need any assistance with any of the applications please email arts@clarecoco.ie or call 065 6899091

Assessment Criteria

Projects will be assessed according to the following criteria

• Quality and innovation of the concept/idea for the proposal. (30)
• Quality of the artists work and track record as demonstrated by their Clare Arts online profile and requested Artists CV. (30)
• Feasibility of the proposed project, budget, time frame, number of participants etc. (30)
• Potential for the project to leave a creative impact on the individual/group/org. (10)

Terms and Conditions

• No organisation or artist is guaranteed an award. The scheme will be adjudicated by an independent selection panel. The number of awards will be dependent on the funding available to the County Arts Office.
• One programme may be awarded per organisation group. To ensure funding is spread fairly, multiple Embrace programmes are not permitted for the same group/individual.
• Facilitating artists may apply for several residencies (up to three max) with a number of different organisations.
• If successful organistions agree to pay 50% of the cost of the artist's fees @€670 to Clare County Council (upon receipt of invoice) before the residency begins. Clare Arts pay the facilitating artist directly. 50% at the start of the residency once documentation (garda vetting, H&S, Tusla cert) and proof of organisation payment has been recieved. The remaining 50% will be paid on completion of the programme and once evaluation has been completed.
• Organisations are responsible for covering the cost of materials.
• Artists are responsible for costing their projects appropriately in line with the award amount of €1,340.
• We are committed to the Arts Council’s Pay the Artist policy and pay €55 per hour to artists (the facilitators) on the scheme. Artists are responsible for costing their projects appropriately in line with the award amount of €1,340. Costs to include are: Artist's fee, prep, travel and attendance at opening/performance if any.
• All award recipients will be required to sign a Health and Safety & Covid Risk Assessment checklist prior to initiating projects. Artist's are required to follow the organisations protocols regarding COVID.
• All successful artists are required to have adequate and comprehensive Public Liability Insurance to the value of (€ 6.5 million) indemnifying Clare County Council.
• All successful artists are required to undertake Garda Vetting and to undertake Child First Training (HSE-TULSA).
• Documentation and Evaluation. Upon completion of the residency the organisation ( with the assistance of the artist ) is required to submit up to five high quality images and/or a digital media link of audio/music/video work created. This media will be used to showcase the project on the Clare Arts Office social media channels and website. Images can be of works in progress and/or completed works. The organisation is responsible for ensuring that all and any media submitted to the Arts Office with images of young children and vulnerable adults must first be approved for public use.Photo consent forms will be provided by Clare Arts.