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Who can apply

The Platform 31 scheme is open to applications from mid-career artists of any artform, medium and practice - as well as multidisciplinary artists - living in any of the 31 Local Authority regions in Ireland.

In line with the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, the Local Authority Arts Offices and the Arts Council are committed to ensuring that they take positive policy measures to promote equality of opportunity for all those living in Ireland, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, civic or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community. Furthermore, the Local Authority Arts Offices and the Arts Council note the ground of socio-economic background as a further basis for which equality of opportunity must be guaranteed. Therefore, we welcome applications that are representative of the diversity of Irish society, including but not limited to any of the characteristics outlined here.

Please note: this scheme has been put in place to support and benefit mid-career artists. While several schemes exist to support emerging and debut artists, this pilot scheme is designed to support more experienced artists who require time and space to focus on their practice, and access to expertise that will benefit their continuing careers. This scheme is not open to Aosdána members.

Qualifying criteria

The Platform 31 scheme is open to applications from those who meet all five of the following criteria:

  • Artists living in one of the 31 Local Authority regions of Ireland.
  • Artists of any artform, medium and practice, as well as multi-disciplinary practice.
  • Artists who have been a practicising, professional artist for a minimum of 5 years.
  • Artists who are NOT members of Aosdána.
  • Artists who satisfy at least one of the following:
    • Have been directly awarded Local Authority Arts Office funding in the last 5 years
    • Have been directly awarded Arts Council funding in the last 5 years
    • Have been paid and advertised as a solo or leading artist / performer / exhibitor in a state-funded venue / festival / programme in the last 5 years
    • Have been commissioned or produced by a professional performing arts / film company in the last 5 years
    • Have been published by a recognised publisher in the last 5 years

NOTE: To best benefit from the scheme, participants should be available to attend the first Platform 31 network session, currently planned for May 26th and 27th 2022. Please hold these dates if you are applying to participate in Platform 31 this year.

Selection criteria

Once applicants meet the qualifying criteria above and submit an eligible application (See How to apply section), their applications will be assessed on the following basis in Stage 1:

  • Track record: 40%
  • Purpose of award: 40%
  • Feasibility: 20%

Applicants must address and evidence:

1. what development/step change applicants wantto make in their artistic practice

2. what the applicant would want to achieve during participation on this scheme towards that end

3. why now is the right time for the applicant to make this change.

In Stage 2, applications will be ranked 1-2 by county on the basis of their compatibility with the scheme’s objectives (see About Platform 31).