Arts and sport funding: which door to knock on

Arts and sport money in Ireland is scattered across bodies that do not talk to each other, and most people give up at the first dead end. This is the map — what each route funds, and the one thing you need to know about each.

Aosdána — you cannot apply for this one

"Aosdána, founded in 1981, honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the creative arts in Ireland, and assists members in devoting their energies fully to their art practice."

"Aosdána is an affiliation of creative artists established in 1981 to honour artists whose work has made an invaluable contribution to the creative arts in Ireland and to assist members in devoting their energies full-time to their artistic practice. Aosdána is funded by Government through the Arts Council."

The financial support attached to membership is the Cnuas, an annual stipend paid to members who need it in order to work full-time at their art. We are not quoting a figure here because the Arts Council does not publish one on the page we are citing — ask the Arts Council directly.

The thing to understand is that this is not a scheme you apply to. "Aosdána comprises a maximum of 250 members, across the disciplines of literature, visual arts, music, architecture and choreography. Members are peer nominated and elected annually at the Aosdána General Assembly."

"The title of Saoi is the highest honour a member can hold."

The Arts Council's own schemes — where most artists should start

"We invest in artists, organisations and arts infrastructure through competitive funding schemes." These are the routes you can apply to, through the Arts Council's funding portal.

One warning worth having before you start: "Some of our schemes are managed for us by third parties. These schemes usually involve a different application process. An example is the Artist in the Community Scheme." — so a scheme you cannot find on the portal may not be closed, just administered elsewhere.

"The Artist in the Community Scheme supports artists and communities of place and/or interest to work together on arts projects across a diverse range of social and community contexts."

Per Cent for Art — the budget that already exists

Per Cent for Art sets aside a portion of the cost of a publicly funded capital project — a school, a road, a housing scheme — for a commissioned artwork.

The practical consequence is unusual: the money is not a fund you apply to in the abstract. It attaches to specific building projects, and commissions are advertised as they arise. If you are an artist, the useful habit is watching the commissioning notices rather than waiting for an open call.

If you are a community group and a public project is happening near you, it is worth asking the commissioning body early what the Per Cent for Art element is and how it will be decided.

Sound and Vision — broadcasting content

Sound and Vision funds the making of television and radio programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and is run by the media regulator rather than by the Arts Council.

It funds content rather than artists or organisations directly, and it runs in rounds. Independent producers and community and local radio are the main users. If you are working on a documentary or a series with an Irish subject, it is the scheme to look at first.

Sports Capital and Equipment Programme — for clubs

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the main State route for clubs and community organisations funding facilities and equipment — pitches, lighting, changing rooms, gear.

Two things decide most applications. You need to be registered with the programme before a round opens, and you need evidence of your own contribution and of title or a long lease on the land. Both take time, so a club that starts when the round is announced is usually too late.

It runs in rounds rather than continuously, so the work is to be ready rather than to be fast.

Music Generation — for children, through your area

"Music Generation is a national music education programme whose mission is to empower children and young people to realise their full potential through access to, and participation in, high quality performance music education."

"We just want to make sure that everyone, whatever their background, gets access to music tuition."

This is not a grant you apply for as a parent. It is delivered locally, so the question is whether there is a Music Generation programme in your area and what it offers — tuition is typically heavily subsidised.

Carding — for elite athletes

The International Carding Scheme is direct financial support for high-performance athletes, awarded through their national governing body rather than applied for individually.

If you are at that level, the route is your sport's governing body, and the criteria are set by performance standards rather than need.

Common questions

Keep going