Cork County Council has this week announced two grant schemes in order to support key themes and priorities of the National Creative Ireland Programme and the County Cork 5-year Culture and Creativity Strategy.
The 2018 Creative Ireland County Cork Grant Scheme and Creative Ireland County Cork Pop-up Shop Scheme 2018 have opened for applications, both of which are being financed through monies from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The Schemes recognise the importance of the community sector to the county’s very culture and well-being and aims to support people and communities in undertaking projects and events that are in keeping with any one or many of the Creative Ireland Programme Strands as well as any or many of the 6 priorities set out in the County Cork Culture and Creativity Strategy (as set out below), in addition to initiatives that will generate awareness of the Creative Ireland Programme as a whole. The Pop-up Shop Grant Scheme is geared at promoting a wide range of activities and is also intended to support a number of festival events throughout the County. Consideration will also be given to events that are being undertaken for the national day of culture and youth – Cruinniú na nÓg – taking place on Saturday June 23rd 2018.
The Creative Ireland Programme is an ambitious one – it is ‘an invitation to the entire country to get involved in something truly inspirational. At its heart is collaboration – between central and local government, between culture and industry, between artists and policy makers – to facilitate an ecosystem of creativity’.
The Programme has five key strands, which are:
1: Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child
2: Enabling Creativity in Every Community
3: Investing in our Creative and Cultural Infrastructure
4: The Creative Industries including Media Production
5: Unifying our Global Reputation
The Community Participation Strand (Strand 2) is being led by local authorities across the country. As part of the Creative Ireland Programme, each City and County will shortly be publishing a 5-year Culture and Creativity Strategy. The County Cork Strategy has benefited greatly from the numerous workshops held and submissions received, and it will be available soon at www.corkcoco.ie/arts-heritage/creative-ireland. This strategy is underpinned by the following 6 key priorities:
1: Enhancing and Investing in our Local Cultural and Creative Infrastructure
2: Liberating Creativity – encouraging the exploration of creative ability through culture, both at the individual and community level
3: Knowing Ourselves – fostering a sense of belonging to place through our culture and heritage and expressing this creatively
4: Supporting and promoting full community engagement with culture
5: Showcasing County Cork – supporting and promoting Cork’s cultural wonders and talent at home and abroad
6: Our Native Voice – Our Irish Language
Please note that the closing date for proposals and application forms is 16:00 on Thursday 17th May 2018, to be sent to: Conor Nelligan, ‘Creative Ireland Coordinator, Cork County Council, Floor 3, County Hall, Cork or by email to conor.nelligan@corkcoco.ie.
For further information on these Grant Schemes or the Creative Ireland Programme email creativeireland@corkcoco.ie or phone 021 4285905.
Click here to access the Guidance Notes and Application Form for the Creative Ireland County Cork Grant Scheme 2018
Click here to access the Guidance Notes and Application Form for the Creative Ireland County Cork Pop-Up Shops Scheme 2018.
