Funding opportunities for individual artists

Tuesday 4th July 2017 at 11am 0 Comments International Arts , Language Arts , Literature , Northern Ireland Music , Public Art , Traditional Arts , Visual Arts , Voluntary Arts , Youth Arts , Craft , Dance , Drama , Film & TV , Circus & Carnival Arts , Comedy , Community Arts , Intercultural Arts

Image: Sonya Whitefield, Arts Council, with acclaimed author David Park and textile sculptor Lauren Scott who both travelled to India in 2017 as part of the International Residency Scheme.

This year’s SIAP scheme will include three international arts residencies in India, specifically for artists from Northern Ireland. In partnership with the British Council, the Arts Council is offering two Sanskriti Foundation residencies in New Delhi and one Shruti Foundation Vedaaranya residency in Ramgarh Shekhawati, Rajasthan.

The Sanskriti Foundation in New Delhi has hosted over 600 artists, poets, scholars and writers as-well as 300 craft makers from across the world and is offering two six-week residencies for artists from Northern Ireland.  The Shruti Foundation Vedaaranya residency in Ramgarh Shekhawati, Rajasthan are offering one artist a serene, inspiring, stimulating and enabling environment to work, reflect and interact with other artists for a one month residency.

Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council, commented:

“The Arts Council’s role is to invest in artistic excellence and ensure that quality work is presented to the widest possible audience.  SIAP funding is key to this role, supporting the development of our artists as they pursue their creative ambitions, helping them to present new quality work that can be shared on an international platform.

“We are delighted to be offering three international residencies this year which offer artists an unparalleled opportunity to work within and be inspired by the rich culture of India.  SIAP is now open and we look forward to welcoming applications from artists across the region.”

Lauren Scott, a textile sculptor who undertook a month long residency at the Ramgarh Shekhawati Rajasthan earlier this year commented: 

“India boosted my confidence as an artist and maker, I realised I could show wide groups of people something different and that my workshops appeal to an international audience.  I have returned feeling very lucky to have the support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and would like to say a big thank you for this amazing once in a life time opportunity. Mainly as a maker I have returned feeling re-inspired with textiles and I am very grateful.”

Applications for the following SIAP awards are now open:

• General Art Awards (Exchequer funded)
• Artist Career Enhancement Scheme (Exchequer funded)
• Major Individual Awards (Exchequer funded)
• Mike Moloney Award (Exchequer funded)
• Anne 0’Donoghue Award (Exchequer funded)
• Artists’ International Development Fund (for Individuals, National Lottery funded)
• Self-arranged Residencies (National Lottery Funded)
• Indian Residencies (National Lottery Funded)

Organisinations wishing to apply to the International Programme for Organisations, can also now apply for the following awards:

• Professional Arts Abroad (National Lottery Funded)
• Artist International Development Fund (for organisations, National Lottery Funded).

For more information on all of these schemes and details of how to apply, visit artscouncil-ni.org/funding

Closing date for applications is 4pm on Thursday 24th August, with the exception of applications for the Indian Residency Scheme which close at 4pm on Thursday 10th August.