Individual artists, art groups, and community groups from County Kildare may apply for the Decade of Commemorations Bursary Award, 2023, for artistic and creative community-led responses based on the Decade of Commemorations themes set out below. Applications that relate in some way to County Kildare in the 1922-4 period are particularly encouraged. Applicants should also be cognisant of the priorities and work of the Creative Ireland Kildare Programme Kildare - Creative Ireland Programme

An award of up to a maximum of €7,500 will be made. The deadline for receipt of applications (online only) is Friday 10^th March (5PM).

It is envisaged that the interpretation of the historical events by Kildare based artists and creative practitioners will provide a platform to encourage reflection and the consideration of issues, both past and present, which may be challenging, difficult and sometimes deeply personal. 

Potential initiatives in the area of creative expression could include but are not limited to:

-     Films, podcasts, exhibitions, performances, etc. 

-     New artistic commissions by artists from all backgrounds and genres;

-     *Artist/Writer/Poet-in-Residence programmes, that can bring the rich store of archival material held in Ireland’s museums, archives and libraries, to life for new audiences and highlight the importance of these collections;

-     Creative writing programmes;

-     Art competitions; and

-     Creative initiatives designed to support engagement with older people, new communities, young people, and other specific audiences.

 

1.    Community-led commemoration and reflection; Remembering local legacies, personalities, places, events, and themes that have particular significance within counties, parishes, and communities. 

2.    Respectful, sensitive, and non-partisan remembrance of all of those who suffered and died during the period from 1922-1923.

3.    The partitioning of Ireland – exploration of the impact and legacy of the events that occurred during this period on communities living along the newly established border and further afield.

4.    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. 

 

5.    The admission of the Irish Free State into the League of Nations in 1923.

6.    Experiences of women - exploration of the experiences of women during this period and their contribution to the events that occurred, including their changing role in society. See, for example, https://www.mna100.ie/.

 

7.    Establishing a New Order – Exploration of the significance of local government reform and the evolution of new political and administrative structures at national and local level;

 

8.    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 Land Question;

-     The significance of sport in communities during this period;

-     The humanitarian response during the period 1921 – 1923;

-     The experiences of people in Ireland during this period who would today identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community;

-     The experiences of minority ethnic groups in Ireland during this period;

-     Innovation and developments in the fields of agriculture, industry, science, commerce, health, medicine, and education.

 

9.    Creative thinking and the arts – poetry, literature, music, theatre, and other art forms, 1921-23 period ideally.

 

See also www.decadeofcentenaries.com

The Expert Advisory Group’s Guidance for the Second Phase (2018-2023) is here:

8.       The following activities are not eligible for funding from this allocation:

-     Hiring or purchase of replica weapons or uniforms, or military re-enactments;

-     Production of commemorative medals or pins;

-     General administration outside of the scope of the Decade of Centenaries Programme and other activities unrelated to the thematic strands of the programme; and

-     Commercial activities.