Cruinniú na nÓg (Saturday 15 June 2024) is the annual national day of creativity for children and young people. It aims to celebrate and encourage children and young people’s participation in culture and creativity by providing free, accessible, activity-based creative action in their own locality.
Kildare County Council and Kildare's Creative Ireland team invites proposals from artists, creative practitioners and organisations for new public-facing creative projects of ambition to coincide with the county's Cruinniú na nÓg celebrations in 2024. Commissions will range from €1,500 - €5,000.
The emphasis of Cruinniú na nÓg is on doing, making, and creating. We are particularly interested projects that:
- include the voice of children/young people in the project development and delivery;
- facilitate creative engagements for and with children and young people;
- are embedded in / represent communities in every location in the county.
Projects may be devised in advance, but the main component must take place or culminate on Saturday 15 June 2024. It must be free to attend and public-facing.
Cruinniú na nÓg is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and is presented in partnership with RTÉ and Local Authorities.
Who Can Apply
Applications are welcome from individual artists, creative professionals, and organisations from or living in County Kildare. Applicants who reside outside of County Kildare are welcome to apply for proposals taking place in the county and must clearly demonstrate how their proposal would benefit the county.
We welcome applicants who represent the diversity of Irish society. We encourage applications from all areas of the community regardless of your gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community, or socio-economic background.
We welcome applications from individuals whose first language is not English.
Application Guidelines
Applications can be made for the Cruinniú na nÓg Commission Award from €1,500 up to €5,000.
Applicants must demonstrate the benefit of the proposed activity for which they are seeking funding to a) county Kildare and b) yourself / your group.
Although not an obligatory requirement, applicants might consider demonstrating how their proposed activity addresses the themes of climate change and climate action.
Although not an obligatory requirement, applicants might consider demonstrating how their proposed activity addresses the themes of inclusivity, equality and cultural diversity.
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 when valuing your time as an artist and those collaborating with you.
Your attention is also drawn to
safetocreate.ie, where you will find more information about the Safe to Create Dignity at Work programme which aims to impact change on the culture and practices of the arts sector in Ireland to provide safer working conditions for artists and arts workers.
Application deadline
Applications will only be accepted via the online application form.
Applications must be submitted before the deadline at 12pm (noon) Wednesday 28 February 2024.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
We suggest that applicants try to submit their application form early in case of technical difficulties. Should they arise, please email creative@kildarecoco.ie and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Supporting Material
It is advantageous to include supporting material that enhances your application and is relevant to your proposal. Applicants should not assume that the independent assessment panel is familiar with your work or previous funding history. The panel will use the supporting material to get a better understanding of both your track record and that of your creative collaborators, and the feasibility of your proposal.
If you need help to complete and submit your application, we want to hear from you. Please email or call the Kildare Creative Ireland team at least three weeks before the award deadline, or as early as possible, to give us time to assist you.
Email: creative@kildarecoco.ie / Tel: 045 980640.