Bank of Ireland launches third round of the Begin Together Arts Fund, in partnership with Arts & Business NI

Thursday, 5 May 2022

The third round of the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund, in partnership with Arts & Business NI was launched today. The all-island Begin Together Arts Fund will make a total of £840,000 in arts funding available over three years, with the third round being awarded to projects taking place between October 2022 and December 2023. A total of £253,000 will be awarded during this period

The criteria for this round of the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund has been updated to focus on projects that enhance the wellbeing of their communities. The total amount of funding available per project has also been raised to £12,500.

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.

During the second round of the Arts Fund over £250,000 was distributed to 39 projects across the island of Ireland. Projects such as ‘Takeaway Theatre’, an interactive performance that happens at home for people with disabilities and their families, offering the opportunity of fun and escapism, and ‘Beat Carnival’, an organisation that for nearly thirty years has been creating carnival arts, as well as organising and producing performances, training and developing artists and encouraging community participation and ambition.

Oliver Wall, Chief of Staff and Head of Group Corporate Affairs, Bank of Ireland said, “The role of artists and arts organisations in connecting communities through you the pandemic has been critical. I’m delighted that the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund, in partnership with Business to Arts, continues to support new work and artistic practice. I’m particularly happy that more audiences will now get to enjoy these works in person.

The focus this year on projects that enhance the wellbeing of their communities represents an important part of our wider support for communities across the island of Ireland”.

Mary Nagele, CEO, Arts & Business NI said, “Arts & Business NI is delighted to support Business to Arts and Bank of Ireland with the third round of this important Arts fund that has already enabled so much for artists, the cultural sector and communities across Ireland, North and South. I would like to thank Bank of Ireland for its investment in the Arts, a sector that will be vital to our social and economic recovery.”

About the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund:
This Fund provides fees to artists or groups of artists to create new work and help maximise the budgets of partner organisations (e.g. arts organisations, community/voluntary organisations, etc.) for their programme of activity.

Artists or groups of artists applying must work with a partner organisation (e.g. a venue or event, arts organisation, community/voluntary organisation or another funding agency/organisation). Applicants can request funds between £4,200 – £12,500 and average grants will be £8,500, with maximum grants of £12,500. Arts projects with larger budgets that have secured funds elsewhere are encouraged to apply.

Closing date for the third round of applications is Thursday, 23 June 2022 at 5pm. Go to www.businesstoarts.ie/artsfund/bank-of-ireland for information on the application process and to complete the online application form.