Wicklow County Arts Office advertises three funding streams in January each year:
- Artist Support Awards Scheme
- Arts Groups/Arts Organisations Awards Scheme
- Arts Festival Awards Scheme
Since 2015, there has been a merged countywide application process for these funds. Funding from all of the previous town council areas for the arts has now been centralised through the Arts Office. Budgets and funding have been adjusted accordingly to reflect this and there is now one streamlined application process, which takes place in January & February for all applicants. This includes individual artists, arts organisations and arts festivals.
Artist Support Awards Scheme
The objective of the Artist Support Awards Scheme, established in 2013, is to assist artists in developing their practice. The awards make a significant contribution to the professional development of artists from, or living in, Co. Wicklow. The purpose of the scheme is to allow artists working in any context to realise a specific body of work/training that will enhance practice development. This could include their participation on short-term courses, specialist workshops, mentorships etc, but is not intended to fund undergraduate third level or ongoing study. The intention is to offer artists time to undertake residencies, or buy time to research a new body of work with a particular focus on career development. Professional practicing artists working in any artform discipline are eligible to apply for this scheme. The maximum amount that can be requested is generally in the region of €5,000.
Arts Groups/Arts Organisations Awards Scheme
Wicklow County Arts Office supports arts groups and arts organisations to develop and deliver arts projects or programmes to take place in Co. Wicklow. The intention is to support arts groups/ organisations in the realisation of an arts project/programme that will support their development in an arts context. It is open to arts groups/arts organisations based in Co. Wicklow. Applications can be for the realisation or showcasing of new work, the research or development phase of new initiatives, or the production/implementation of a particular project/programme. The maximum amount that can be requested is generally in the region of €3,000.
Arts Festival Fund Awards Scheme
The intention of the Arts Festival Awards is to support programming and development for arts festivals in Co. Wicklow. Applications are welcome from a wide range of arts festivals including those that are focused on a single art form, multidisciplinary, well-established, or in an early stage of development. The award can be used to fund a particular aspect of a development plan or programme. Applications can be for the production/commissioning of new work, the engagement of professional ensembles, the active engagement of audiences, and/or the development of new strategies/approaches to festival delivery. The maximum amount that can be requested is generally in the region of €10,000.