2021 Decade of Centenaries Programme: Wicklow County Council Grant Scheme
This initiative is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Community Strand of the Decade of Centenaries Programme
Artistic Strand
1. Background:
Wicklow County Council, in association with the Department of Tourism, Culture Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media wishes to develop a programme of commemorative events to mark the final phase of the Decade of Centenaries, from 2021 to 2023. Beginning in the current year, 2021, the overall programme will have a common set of broad themes and ideas but will be nuanced each year to allow for specific centenaries to be remembered.
As a remainder, the following is a list of the key historical events which took place between 1921 and 1923:
· The Struggle for Independence 1919 – 1921
· The Civil War
· The Foundation of the State
· Partition and the Foundation of Northern Ireland
· The experience of minorities and border communities in Ireland
· The admission of the Irish Free State into the League of Nations in September 1923
Funding is now available in Wicklow to support artists and creatives in delivering commemorative initiatives in 2021. Artists and Creatives are invited to submit a funding application which will interpret historical events and provide a platform to encourage reflection and consideration of the issues, both past and present. A core theme of the commemorative project is reconciliation and an element of reconciliation is acknowledgement of the legitimacy of all of the traditions on the island that draw their identity and collective memory from our shared history.
2. Wicklow: Objectives and themes of the Decade of Centenaries Programme from 2021 – 2023
The broad themes listed below are intended to support the development of initiatives and projects in County Wicklow in 2021 while still allowing flexibility, community-led and creative interpretations. Applicants in 2021 may consider a three year theme or common thread in developing their projects in Wicklow
· Community-led commemoration and reflection: Remembering local legacies, personalities, places, events and themes that have particular significance within counties, parishes and communities.
Respectful, sensitive and non-partisan remembrance of all of those who suffered and died during 2021
· Ireland and the Wider World –Exploration of the international dimension, including local connections, emigration, and the role of the Irish Diaspora in the events that occurred during the revolutionary period.
· A Changing Society during this period, including:
The labour movement and civil disobedience;
Popular social, cultural and civic movements;
Social class and gender;
· The Irish language;
· The humanitarian response during the Struggle for Independence
· Innovation and developments in the fields of agriculture, industry, science, commerce, health, medicine, and education.
· Creative thinking and the arts – poetry, literature, music, theatre and other art forms in 1921
Whilst not prescriptive, examples of project approaches are outlined below which may to assist in the development of commemorative initiatives in 2021. This is not an exhaustive list and other ideas and suggestions are welcome.
• Online and digital initiatives such as films, podcasts, exhibitions, performances etc.
• New artistic commissions by artists/creatives from all backgrounds and genres;
• Artist-in-residence programmes that can bring the rich store of archival material and literature relating to Wicklow to life for new audiences and highlight the importance of this material. This may include for example a creative writing programme;
• Contemporary art initiatives/installations
• Creative initiatives designed to support engagement with older people, women, new communities and young people.
3. What is the purpose of Wicklow County Council’s grant scheme?
The key objective of the Fund is to provide support to artists and creatives for activities/projects that will contribute to 2021 commemorations in County Wicklow. The Fund is being awarded by Wicklow Arts Office with the aim of supporting artists and creatives in 2021 in developing initiatives which will commemorate this complex and challenging period in our history and will also allow for advance planning of commemorative initiatives for future years
4. Criteria
The following must be demonstrated:
• The extent to which the proposed initiative will reflect upon local connections to the significant historical events that occurred a century ago in County Wicklow
• The extent to which the proposed initiative demonstrates artistic quality, innovation and creativity.
• The extent to which the proposed initiative demonstrates sensitivity and respectful remembrance and reconciliation.
• The extent to which the proposed initiative is unique, interesting and likely to make an impact.
• The potential scope of the initiative within the local authority area and anticipated target audience
• The total cost of completing the proposed initiative.
• Any additional supports and funding that may be required and have been secured from relevant stakeholders/other organizations.
• The feasibility of project completion within the timeframe allocated.
5. Ineligible Activities
The following activities are not eligible for funding
- Provision or maintenance of memorials, plaques, busts, or statues
- Hiring or purchase of replica weapons or uniforms
- Production of commemorative medals or pins
- Spend on alcoholic beverages, fines, penalty payments, legal cost, audit fees, financial consultancy fees and wages and salaries of consultants
Both Wicklow County Council and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media must be publicly acknowledged in all communications and materials concerning activities supported from this allocation and should be tagged on any related social media activity.
6. What funding is available?
To this end Wicklow Arts Office will make two awards of €7,500 or three awards of €5,000 arising from this scheme to support artists and / or creative communities in developing commemorative initiatives.
Fund amounts will be assessed and allocated on the basis of requirements of the project and will be directly related to the above criteria. Wicklow County Council’s ‘Decade of Centenaries’ Committee will assess and evaluate each application and make a decision regarding funding approval.
Conditions of Funding:
The fund is open to Artists and Creatives who intend organizing community-based events/activities in 2021. To be eligible for funding, the event/activity must be based in County Wicklow and expenditure must be incurred and claimed by November 30th , 2021
There is no guarantee of funding for events/projects which achieve the minimum eligibility criteria. The fund is limited, and eligible applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis.
7. COVID-19 Public Health Protective Measures
All initiatives and activities funded from this allocation must adhere to all of the public health advice and guidance, laid down by the HSE and the Government, with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.
7.1 Tax compliance
All applicants/organizations must be tax compliant in order to qualify for grant payment. Where Artists/Creatives are tax exempt, evidence of this must be supplied. All applicants/organizations must provide their bank account details as part of the application process.
7.2 Child Protection
Where any engagement under this funding allocation comprises activities that will involve contact with children or vulnerable adults, or relates to the provision of activities to children, the local authority will ensure that all of the necessary policies are in place and that it complies with all relevant legislation, national guidelines, and best practice. The local authority, where appropriate, shall also request written assurances in this regard from other participating stakeholders.
7.3 Timescale
Projects must be completed by November 30th, 2021 and final payment claims must be submitted by November 30th, 2021.
7.4 If I am successful how do I draw down the Fund?
In order to receive payment, the successful applicant must complete and submit a short 'Post Event Evaluation' and provide the following:
• Evidence of expenditure for the event/project applied for in this application.
• Receipts for the full costs
• Note: Payment will be made to Artist / Community groups and not to individual(s)
7.5 How will I know if I have been successful?
Successful applicants will receive a 'Letter of Offer' from Wicklow Arts Office. This letter will form the contract between Wicklow Arts Office which will detail all conditions and requirements.
7.6 Acknowledgement
Grant aid provided by Wicklow County Council for Decade of Centenaries projects must be acknowledged in all publicity material associated with the project. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media must also be acknowledged. We reserve the right to publicize the awarding of the Decade of Centenaries project awards and progress updates, as required. Successful candidates agree to provide permission to Wicklow County Council to share project images / films on their website and those websites of funding partners.
Failure to acknowledge appropriately may deem the project award invalid and support received may need to be refunded to Wicklow County Council. All successful applications will receive a copy of Wicklow County Council and Departmental logos, which must be used in all documentation and advertising of the successful projects.
8. CONDITIONS
Applicants must apply through our online platform. E-mailed or posted applications will not be accepted
All support material to be no larger than 10MB. Please check that all links and supporting materials open and can be accessed by the assessors.
Applications may only be made for projects to take place in Co Wicklow.
Projects must be completed by 30th November, 2021.
The public interface/engagement element of the project/event must be free of charge.
9. Marking Criteria is as follows:
· Artistic Merit of the proposal - The extent to which the proposed initiative demonstrates artistic quality, innovation and creativity (25)%
· Statement of Chosen Theme and how it relates to local connections and significant historical events that occurred a century ago in County Wicklow County Wicklow. (15%)
· Artists CVs / Bios (20%)
· Budget - breakdown of costs (10%)
· Timeline – including contingencies for COVID adaptations (10%)
· The extent to which the proposed event/project demonstrates sensitivity and respectful remembrance and reconciliation (10)%
· The extent to which the proposed initiative is unique, interesting and likely to make an impact(10%).
10. All recipients of grant assistance under the Decade of Centenaries scheme for projects involving children or young people must have appropriate policies in place as regards Child Protection. Wicklow County Council will also require confirmation that the appropriate insurance policies and Health and Safety Procedures are in place.
11. Grant aid provided by Wicklow County Council for Decade of Centenaries projects must be acknowledged in all publicity material associated with the project. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media must also be acknowledged. We reserve the right to publicize the awarding of the Decade of Centenaries project awards and progress updates, as required. Successful candidates agree to provide permission to Wicklow County Council to share project images / films on their website and those websites of funding partners.
Failure to acknowledge appropriately may deem the project award invalid and support received may need to be refunded to Wicklow County Council. All successful applications will receive a copy of Wicklow County Council and Departmental logos, which must be used in all documentation and advertising of the successful projects.
12. Successful candidates are required to provide a short progress report (to include high resolution photographs) to Wicklow County Council on or before 20thOct 2021. Failure to do so may deem the project award invalid.
13. In accepting the offer of a grant for your project, you undertake to ensure that you have obtained all necessary approvals, permissions, licenses or consents.
14. Assistance shall not be given in respect of commercial activities.
15. Payment of the award will not be made for activities in retrospect.
16. All applicants will be advised of Council’s decisions in writing.
HOW TO APPLY
Access the Application Form through www.wicklow.ie/arts under 'Funding Opportunities & Supports' - '2021 Decade of Centenaries Project'
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must apply through our online platform. We strongly recommend you test this process prior to the closing date so that if necessary we may provide technical support.
E-mailed or posted Applications will not be accepted.
Late and / or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Make your subject line 'Decade of Centenaries Project 2021'
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS -12:00pm NOON - TUESDAY 13 JULY 2021
Questions may be directed to: wicklowartsawards2021@gmail.com