The Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts was launched today. The Fund will distribute a total of €1 million between 2020 and 2022 and is designed to support artists and arts projects across the island of Ireland.

The Arts Fund will support or commission artists and arts organisations to develop arts projects, with the intention of enhancing the wellbeing of the participants, audiences and communities involved.

All art forms are eligible and the aim is for the projects to benefit a range of audiences. The Fund will also support arts projects that have been adapted due to COVID-19, or are inspired by or respond to COVID-19.

Today’s announcement brings the Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together community investment to €3 million. 

Launching the initiative, Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin said, “The arts sector has been severely impacted by COVID-19 and the Government has been working to support artists over the past six months. The Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund, in the great tradition of business supporting creative communities, is a very welcome programme that will be embraced by artists and their local communities.” 

Group Chief Executive at Bank of Ireland, Francesca McDonagh added, “Our wellbeing as a country depends on our rich culture and heritage continuing to thrive. Through this Fund we are building on Bank of Ireland’s long history of supporting the arts. There is no better time than when artists, like communities across the island, are struggling in the face of the pandemic. This programme is part of our wider contribution to helping the recovery of communities and businesses across Ireland.”  

Closing date for the first round of applications is Wednesday, 4 November at 5pm. The second round will open in April 2021. Go to www.businesstoarts.ie/artsfund/bank-of-ireland for information on the application process and to complete the online application form.

Source: www.businessworld.ie