Creative Places Athy is a brand-new initiative, led by Kildare County Council Arts Service. Creative Places Athy is one of nine Creative Places initiatives funded by the Arts Council. The initiative aims to create socially engaged art projects that are rooted in community development principles with and for the people of Athy. Creative Places Athy will support the growth of artistic and cultural capacity of the town and the surrounding municipal districts.

The Creative Places Sowing the Seeds of Socially Engaged Art scheme will support the development and testing of new ideas/relationship in socially engaged art. If you have an idea that will encourage arts engagement, creativity and making work, then this Open Call is for you! Seed funding is exactly what it means. You get the seed, plant it, and help it grow.

What we are looking for: We are looking to award grants of up to €4000 to artists/creative practitioners to create socially engaged art that will happen for and with the people of Athy.

The Sowing the Seeds of Socially Engaged Art scheme will support artists/creative practitioners to develop, create and/or present new work that promotes participation and engagement of the people in Athy and municipal district in a wide range of arts experiences. It particularly encourages artists/creative practitioners to work with those who do not normally engage in the arts or communities who have limited access to the arts. This grant is for socially engaged projects that can be long term and are rooted in community development principles. The seed funding will enable artists/creative practitioners working with individuals/groups/organisations to deliver new thinking, events or activities. 

Creative Places Athy welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds, including applications from people whose first language is not English. The proposed project/idea must demonstrate the benefit to artists/practitioners and the communities of Athy Municipal District and show how it is socially engaged. Although not a requisite we suggest that you consider climate action and sustainable methods in your project/idea when applying.

As set out in the Arts Council’s current strategy Making Great Art Work, ‘the improvement of living and working conditions — and, in particular, ensuring the fair and equitable remuneration and contracting of artists — is a key strategic objective for the organisation’. In line with this strategy, Kildare County Council is committed to fair pay and a policy to Pay the Artist. Please refer to the Arts Council's policy on Paying the Artist. 

Socially engaged art allows artists/creative practitioners and communities to work meaningfully together over a period of time on projects/ideas that explore common goals and interests. Collaboration, participation, time, intent and spaces to have creative experiences are central to the success of a project or idea.

Any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, visual arts, theatre, literature, creative writing, music, dance, opera, film, circus, and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes.

All applications must be accompanied by supporting material including current biography or artistic/creative CV. This material will help the assessors to get a better understanding of your project. A breakdown of the budget for the project will also need to be submitted. 

Creative Places Athy is committed to inclusive working practices and understand there may be barriers people face when considering an opportunity like this. Making these processes accessible as possible is key to the success of Creative Places Athy. If you are interested in this opportunity but feel there are things you need help with on the application form, please get in touch. Email or phone the Arts Team at least 2 weeks before the deadline to give us time to assist you arts@kildarecoco.ie / 045 980872.