City manager boosts arts funding by €100k

The outgoing Cork city manager has announced a dramatic €100,000 increase in arts funding.

In one of his final decisions as city manager, Tim Lucey increased from €69,000 to €169,000 the fund for the council’s Arts Project Scheme, its Individual Artist’s Bursary, and the Arts in Context Grants.

It follows an unprecedented response to the various grants schemes which were advertised recently.

Arts officer Liz Meaney said they received 134 applications across the three schemes.

Of these, 74 were made to the Arts Project Scheme — the total amount of funding requested by applicants was €730,409.

Mr Lucey acknowledged the scale of demand. “The level of application is a rich and varied demonstration of the great strength, depth, and quality of the arts within Cork,” he said.

“The council has remained consistently committed to supporting and investing in the arts.

“We have through our proactive policies developed and sustained a creative cluster here.

“Now, in response to this impressive round of applications, we have taken the step of increasing by 140% the level of funding available directly to artists and arts organisations so that their projects might become a reality.”

The Arts Project Grant helps fund new and original projects across the city.

The Individual Artist’s Bursary Scheme provides development support to artists.

The Arts in Context Scheme provides support for artists to engage long-term with communities.