Mayo projects sought for Create Ireland funding

Do you have an idea for a creative project for children and young people? Now you can make it happen!

Mayo County Council is seeking proposals for projects to take place on Cruinniú na nÓg, the national day of creativity for children and young people on June 12.

Artists, crafters, dancers, storytellers, makers, street artists, heritage workers, musicians, re-enactors, coders and workers in science and technology and all manner of experienced creative professionals, in any artform, craft or creative sphere are invited to make a proposal.

Traditional skills practitioners or others with an expertise in landscape, flora and fauna/biodiversity, folklife, archaeological heritage, built heritage, history, vernacular architecture or any related field are also encouraged to consider how they might engage with Cruinniú na nÓg and its aim of doing, making, creating.

Cruinniú na nÓg takes place on Saturday, June 12, and will be a day of celebrating and encouraging children and young people to take part in cultural and creative events around the county.

This will include a mix of performances, demonstrations, coding, theatre, workshops, readings and screenings, special events and much more.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions it is likely that most of the events will be online.

Events will be free with plenty of opportunities for young people to get doing, making and creating.

Events can take place at suitable locations that comply with Covid-19 regulations proposed by the applicant, but most will probably be online.

A total fund of €15,000 is available to cover the cost of selected events.

Austin Vaughan, Mayo Creative Ireland coordinator, is encouraging event proposers to bear this in mind in terms of scale and cost.

He stated: “Mayo County Council will cover some of the costs of the selected events including the costs of hiring artists or other culture or creativity sector practitioners and the costs of materials.

“However, it will not be possible to approve all proposals in which case funding will be allocated to those events which best meet the objectives of Cruinniú na nÓg.”

The deadline for receipt of proposals is Friday, March 12, at 5 p.m.

Email completed forms to avaughan@mayococo.ie or they can be delivered to Creative Ireland, Mayo County Library HQ, The Mall, Castlebar.

For queries, contact Austin Vaughan at the email above or at (094) 9047922. Application forms are available at: https://www.mayo.ie/heritage/cultural/creative-ireland