Arts and cultural centres in Clare are being reminded to apply for a new scheme where they could receive up to €2m.
Heather Humphreys, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has announced that the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016 is open for applications. This new €9m capital investment scheme for arts and culture centres will run from 2016-2018 and is focussed on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country.
Independent Clare TD, Michael Harty is hopeful culture and art centres in the County will avail of the opportunity. “In Clare, the Arts Office of Clare Co Council has been working with the Arts Council, the Dept of Arts and the All Ireland Research Observatory (AIRO) over the past year on an audit of arts facilities in the county. The agreed list now totals 18. These centres cover music, art, museum, library and diverse cultural activities.
“This scheme is designed to allow regional venues to upgrade their facilities and I hope some of our centres who are doing great work can benefit. Arts and cultural centres act as a hub for local communities, and having a fit for purpose cultural space can really add to a sense of community pride. If we want to ensure that the arts are accessible in the regions, it is very important that we support our cultural infrastructure”.
The funding is being made available as part of the Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021. Applications are now being invited for funding under Streams 1 and 2 of the scheme. The scheme is broken down into the following three areas;
- Stream 1 will offer grants from €20,000 up to €300,000 and is aimed at refurbishment and upgrade of facilities; (funding of €4m is available under this Stream);
- Stream 2 will offer grants from €300,000 up to €2m for larger enhancement/expansion/ refurbishment projects involving construction works to arts and culture facilities; (funding of €4.5m is available under this Stream);
- Stream 3 will be geared towards providing grants of up to €20,000 to community / voluntary groups for community-based projects (funding of €500,000 will be available under this Stream). Applications for funding under this Stream will be invited at a later stage.
Application forms and Guidelines on the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016 are available on the Department’s website.