Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme
Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme
| Closing date | 17:30, Thursday 03 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Maximum awarded | €40,000 |
| Artform and practice(s) | Children and Young People’s Arts |
| Applicant type | Individual Artist, Organisation |
| Contact | Eimear Harte |
| childrenandyoungpeople@artscouncil.ie |
The purpose of the Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme 2025 is to provide opportunities for babies and young children to explore and enjoy the arts with the support of artists, early-years educators, school-age practitioners, families and carers. Priority will be given to proposals that provide meaningful opportunities for babies and young children to explore and engage with the arts; while supporting artists, early-years educators, school-age practitioners, families and carers to collaborate, share learning, and develop their capacity in this area. Proposals should include a considered approach to documentation, evaluation and reflection, and should have the capacity to inform wider practice.
The Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme 2025 has three strands.
Strand 1: Early Learning and Childcare
This strand supports partnerships between artists/arts organisations and Tusla-registered early learning and care (ELC) and/or school-age childcare (SAC) services. Eligible services include community and private services, ELC services, ELC and SAC combined services, and stand-alone SAC services.
Strand 2: International Protection (birth–6-year-olds)
This strand supports partnerships between artists/arts organisations and those working with children from Ukraine and others who have been impacted by war, displacement and loss. Proposals should be centred in trauma-informed practice. Projects can be facilitated within local Stay and Play sessions, parent-and-toddler groups or other locations that support Ukrainian and other children seeking international protection from birth to 6 years of age.
Strand 3: Combined Contexts
You should apply for this strand if your proposal includes services that meet the requirements of Strand 1 and other services that meet the requirements of Strand 2.
Access Supports
If you have a disability and would like help applying, contact our Access Officer as early as possible before the deadline.
Phone:
- 01 618 0200
- 01 618 0243
Email: disabilityaccess@artscouncil.ie
You will be able to apply for additional costs if you have access needs relating to your application.
Note: applications will only be accepted through the Arts Council’s Online Services site. If you have not used Online Services before you must register for a login to be able to apply for funding. It is important that you register as early as possible as it may take up to five working days for your registration to be processed.
How do I apply for this?
- Download and read the guidelines available at the top right-hand corner of this page.
- Check if there is any mandatory supporting material that must accompany your application. We may provide a template for the supporting material. If so, you can download it from the supporting materials section at the top right-hand corner of this page.
- All applications must be made through the online services website. You will be able to upload a wide range of support materials in electronic format along with your application form.
- You must be registered with the online services website to make an application. If you are not already registered, we recommend you register for online services as far in advance of the deadline as possible, as it may take five days for your online services registration to be processed.