€80,000 grant funding awarded for Creative Waterford Open Call 2023

Grant funding for a diverse range of creative projects has been awarded to a mixture of thirteen groups and individuals under the banner of the Creative Waterford Open Call 2023. The annual funding was increased to an overall allocation of €80,000 this year, with new grants of up to €20,000 available to celebrate the launch of the new Creative Waterford Strategy in March.

Successful awards include funding to “Hill of Dreams” by Waterford Spraoi. T.V. Honan, Director of Spraoi said” Hill of Dreams envisages reimagining the hill’s heritage and traditions for, and with, a new generation. Cross-generational activities will roll-out over September and October before a showcase event at Samhain/Halloween”. Acclaimed sand artist Sean Corcoran received funding for a new eco-themed festival celebrating the diversity of land, sea and air called “Talamh”.

Other funding goes to Tramore for a celebration of sea swimming and to the village of Clonea Power for a community singing project. Climate and sustainability were big themes in this year’s application reflecting Waterford City and County Council’s aims to support environmental projects through creative engagement.

Katherine Collins, Creative Waterford Coordinator said “2023 sees the start of a second five year period of creative funding for Waterford under our new Creative Ireland Culture and Creativity Strategy, launched earlier this year. We were delighted with the enthusiasm that people have to support their communities and to promote the creativity of our county.”

The Open Call 2023 Grants were awarded to:

Waterford Spraoí awarded €20,000 for Hill of Dreams project.

The Art Hand awarded €12,000 for Talamh Land Art Festival.       

Calmast, SETU awarded €4, 300 for the Spoken Word Project with Stephen James Smith.

Theatre Royal Waterford awarded €6,000 for the Climate Stage is Yours project.

Street Art Ink awarded €7,800 for the Floating Voices Intergenerational Arts Programme    

GOMA Gallery awarded €6,000 for the Groundings project.

The Fresh Producer awarded €8,000 for the Swim On, Maisie project.

The Walls Project awarded €1,500 for the Talking to the Walls event.

Clonea Power Old School awarded €2,700 for the HEARTBEATS (Community Singing together with one voice).

Waterford Sustainable Living Initiative Ireland awarded €4,700 for the Street Art for the Goals project.

Little Red Kettle awarded €3,000 for the Little Red Kettle Interactive Tour Development.

South East Craft Studios awarded €2,500 for the By the Sea 2: celebrating our Waterford City heritage and coastline through art and craft workshops.

Right Place Second Chance awarded €1,500 for the Right of Place Art Group project.

Featured image. Local artist Sean Corcoran from The Art Hand at Kilmurrin Cove, Co. Waterford, who received funding for a new eco-themed festival celebrating the diversity of land, sea and air called “Talamh”. Picture: Patrick Browne