This month sees the first of the open calls for artists for funding for 2019 from the arts office in Roscommon County Council. The annual Artist Bursaries programme has re-opened, along with the opportunity to apply for the much-coveted Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency bursaries.
Both bursary programmes are aimed at professional artists either currently living in the county or who were born here.
“The bursary programmes provide valuable financial support to Roscommon artists working in all disciplines. The criteria for what the artist bursary awards can be used for are deliberately broad as we recognise that the types of supports artist need can be very different” Majella Hunt, Director of Services for Community and Enterprise at Roscommon County Council told us.
“In 2018, 21 artists received financial support via the artist bursary scheme and we anticipate supporting a similar number of artists this year. Three Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency Awards were also made last year and again we hope to offer a similar number this year”.
The Artist Bursary Awards provide financial support to professional artists to allow them to develop their practice. The award can be used towards the costs of attending courses, mentoring, developing new work, participation in exhibitions and various other activities. Applications are assessed by an external selector and awards made on their recommendation.
The Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency Awards provide opportunities for artists to spend a period of time at the world renowned artists retreat in Annaghmakerrig, Co. Monaghan. The residential workplace for artists is dedicated to supporting and facilitating creativity within a home-like environment. Here, artists can find peace and quiet to develop their work, together with the stimulation of living alongside other artists from all disciplines, enabling a rich cross-fertilisation of ideas.
The closing date for submissions is Friday, 15th of February 2019 at 5 pm. Further information, together with application forms, can now be downloaded from: Roscommon County Council’s website: roscommoncoco.ie – the Arts Office Page. Enquiries can also be sent via email to: bursaries@roscommoncoco.ie
These two bursary programmes are the first of the 2019 announcements, with the Artists in Schools call-out and the New Roscommon Writing and Chapbook bursaries also to be announced later this spring as part of Roscommon County Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting artists.
