Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund

The Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts and  supported by Arts & Business NI has reopened for applications, closing on Wednesday 23^rd June.

The all-island Begin Together Arts Fund will make a total of €1 million in arts funding available over three years, awarded to projects that are adapting due to the pandemic, or are inspired by and responding to our recovery.

The Fund supports or commissions artists and arts organisations to develop arts projects that engage the individuals, audiences and communities involved. All art forms are eligible to apply to The Fund. With this second round, Bank of Ireland and Business to Arts are encouraging more applications from artists who specialise in fine-art film and craft-related disciplines and from community arts organisations, who were under-represented in round one. 

For this second round, only projects that plan to take place between December 2021 and December 2022 are eligible. The above criteria are applicable for this round and may change in round three.

Size of Grants

Applicants can request funds between €3,000 – €10,000 / (STG equivalent). Average grants will be €5,000 / (STG equivalent), with maximum grants of €10,000 / (STG equivalent). Artwork(s) / arts project(s) with larger budgets that have secured funds elsewhere are encouraged to apply. With each grant round the Fund aims to provide funding to an artwork / art project in each county on the island of Ireland.

 

Key dates

Wed, 5 May, 2021: Open for applications

Tue, 18 May, 2021: Webinar 1: General Overview & How to Apply, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Thu, 20 May, 2021: Webinar 2: Audience, Budget, & Evaluation, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Wed, 23 June, 2021, 5:00pm: Deadline for applications

Tue, 31 Aug, 2021: Applicants informed by email

Dec 1 2021 — Dec 31 2022: Projects to take place

 

Key Documents

Eligibility Requirements and Criteria

Application Questions (for reference only)

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How to apply

1. Visit businesstoarts.ie/artsfund/bank-of-ireland/
2. Review the eligibility requirements to ensure the suitability of your application
3. Click apply
4. Register your details with our application system (please ensure you click the link in your verification email. You will not be able to start your entry until you do this.)
5. Complete your application
6. Ensure you submit your application before 5:00pm on Wednesday June 23^rd, 2021

Support

Should you require assistance, please consult the FAQs available here. There will be two information webinars for applicants to The Fund on:

Tuesday 18^th May General Overview & How to Apply, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Thursday 20^th May Audience, Budget, & Evaluation, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

 

If you have any technical difficulties with your application, please get in touch with begintogetherartsfund@businesstoarts.ie