Arts Council Music Bursary Zoom Session 9th July
Funding Scheme Characteristics:
1) You must register online as an applicant well in advance of applying. (It takes time to process)
2) There is generally a funding application window (annual or bi-annual opening and closing date)
3) Applications must be made online
Must use online application forms
Must upload essential supporting materials.
4) Detailed guidelines govern each scheme (Guidelines are Gospel)
5) A lot of thought, time and work is involved in applying.
6) It is very competitive.
There is a large demand and smaller money available.
Only a small proportion of applications succeed.
A lot of good applications can’t be funded in most rounds.
7) The application is very formal, detailed (rigid system)
Key application info:
8) Closing Date for 2020 Bursaries is July 30th 5:30pm.
9) Registration takes up to 5 working days to complete (register asap) https://onlineservices.artscouncil.ie/Register.aspx
10) read and re-read the bursary guidelines. http://www.artscouncil.ie/Funds/Music-bursary-award/
11) Youtube Application guide video (2016) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a3xeZdZj3o
Bursary Purposes:
For individual and professional artists to ‘develop your practice’.
It is essentially about funding your time to enable you to professionally concentrate on something for a fixed period.
Something that will make a substantive difference to your capacity as an artist.
See here: (Guidelines)
Do’s
Make sure that what you want to do is suitable for a bursary award, and not for another one.
make sure you are a registered, eligible applicant.
Read the Guidelines in detail (more than once)
Start the application process early & don’t apply last minute..
Make sure you have ALL essential supporting documentation before and after uploading.
Triple check application form and essential supporting documentation before uploading.
Ask for advice if unclear on published information - various support contacts listed in guidelines.
FAQs http://www.artscouncil.ie/FAQs/online-services/
General application queries: awards@artscouncil.ie
AC music team: aine.kelly@artscouncil.ie camille.lynch@artscouncil.ie
Don’ts:
Don’t apply to the wrong scheme.
Don’t leave it until the last minute.
Don’t forget to check your application and all essential supporting documentation.
Don’t be disheartened if you don’t succeed.
Further Advice for Applicants
Q - Who is this bursary for?
A - This bursary is for artists making original music. If you are part of a band, it’s not relevant for all members to apply but it is relevant for the writer to apply for it.
Q - Is it geared towards specific genres?
A - It’s for all genres.
Q - Can I use this bursary to go towards recording costs?
A - It’s not a recording bursary. There was an award like this before but it no longer exists.
Q - What kind of costs can this be used for?
A - This bursary can be used to off set some living expenses if you are taking time out to write for a period of time. For example mortgage, childcare and other bills.
It is to alleviate those demands so you can be freed up for a particular period of time to make music.
Don’t use it to pay for something else.
Q -Is it better to apply for one main project or multiple smaller ventures?
A -Both are common.
Q -Is this for professional artists?
A -Identify yourself as a professional artist, Are you recognised by your professional peers?
A good way to judge is if you are making more than 50% of your income from your art and your artistic output.
If you are earring under 50% of your income from your art, you may be considered emerging.
Q - How do I demonstrate I am a professional artist within my sector?
A - Demonstrate you are a professional artist through performances you have done within your sector.
You have to tell the story of your sector in a few lines. Don’t make assumptions that the panel know everything an
Some of the judges will be wholly unaware of our sector. You will have to spell it out to show your development within it. Point to certain things like: I’ve been played on daytime radio, I’ve played this gig or festival, I’ve had my music on this show etc.
Show up about yourself. Paint a picture about what will happen if you get this bursary. “If I get this bursary and write this music then my manager will do this..”
Q - Would you recommend mentioning things that have held you back.
A - Yes - say “if i had this then, this is where I would be now”
It shows them if they don’t support you now, it will slow down your progress and your professional development.
Ask yourself these questions:
Why is this important to you now?
Investigate, is this the bursary for me and is this the right time to apply for it?
(You might decide to wait until you are at the point in your career where this is useful for you.)
When writing your application, don’t square peg yourself into a round hole. The panel will see through it straight away.
Make sure this Bursary is applicable to you.
Useful tips:
Be Authentic. Authenticity is more important. Don’t include information unless it is relevant to you.
Professional Career Ark
It would be useful to describe an ark of your career, where you have been and where you are hoping to go and
where you are hoping these 3 months will take you.
It might be useful to draw this out to them and include a visual.
Tell your professional music journey of before bursary, during bursary and after bursary.
What is this going to cost you?
What contribution are you making to this time on top of looking for the bursary? What are you putting on hold to write this music? Identify the sacrifice you are making.
Ask for realistic amounts.
The people judging your application are people who pay rent, pay childminders and eat food so give realistic goals for money.
The panel would rather give someone €10k than give a load of smaller bursaries to other individuals. They want to see this is making a difference in your life.
Read the guidelines
Take a day to read what the arts council is about. Talk about you primarily as the artist but refer to the audiences as much as you can. How have you reached your audiences in the past and how do you plan to reach others in the future?
Put in your economic, social and genre background because they are looking to diversify.
Talk about an community projects you’ve worked on.
Take 1 week to read the terms and conditions and the guidelines. All of your questions are in those guidelines.