Creative bursary opportunities

Bursaries of up to €10,000 are being offered by Kildare County Council for the development of projects or events that encourage creativity, collaboration or cultural participation, writes Brian Byrne.

The bursaries, ranging from €3,000, are being provided under the national Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022. They can be applied for by individuals and organisations.

The applicable themes under the programme are Wellbeing, Sense of Place, Heritage, Music, the Irish language, and projects under the STEAM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Objectives of the programme include an aspiration that by 2022 every child in Ireland will have access to tuition and participation in in art, music, drama and coding.

Enabling creativity in every community is another prime objective, as is the investment in creative and cultural infrastructures to ensure a vibrant arts and culture sector.

The programme is also aimed at building Ireland as a centre of excellence in the creative industries, including media, architecture, design, digital technology, fashion, food and crafts.

From a Kildare perspective, the programme is an opportunity to showcase the best elements of of the county in the relevant areas, under the banner of Creative Kildare.

Closing date for applications is 2 August 2017. All applications must be in hard copy, no emails will be accepted. Applications should be addressed to Creative Ireland Bursary Awards 2017, Kildare County Council, Riverbank, Main Street, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Application forms may be downloaded from here.