Arts Council: Building Projects

Overview

The Council discourages applications which duplicate facilities within the same catchment area. Applications for new projects will be required to demonstrate that they will not have a negative impact on existing facilities, but will add value to these facilities.

As part of their assessment process they consult with local authorities, their own artform officers and other relevant Organisations. They strongly recommend that you seek advice from your local authority at an early stage regarding the place of your project within its local arts plan. They will also consult with your local authority on the relevance of your project to the local arts plan.

The Arts Council welcome applications from the widest possible range of voluntary and professional Organisations.

• Local authorities, registered charities and other Organisations which cannot distribute profits may apply for funds.
• Commercial Organisations can only apply for support if the project is primarily for the benefit of the public rather than their own commercial interests.
• You do not have to be primarily an arts Organisation, although the focus of the project must be on arts activities.
• If your Organisation has a limited membership, or is a school, college or university, you must show that the project will benefit the wider public.
• Public sector agencies can apply for projects which are outside their statutory remit.
• Groups of Organisations (consortia) working together to deliver specific projects.

Grants for feasibility studies will not normally be more than £20,000.

For Local Authorities and other statutory bodies the minimum partnership funding you need to find from non-Arts Council sources will normally be 50%.

For Community / Voluntary Organisations the minimum partnership funding you need to find from non-Arts Council sources will normally be 25%.

Your application must be for a project which will take place in, or which will benefit the people of Northern Ireland. It must also be for capital expenditure, which is money spent on the purchase, improvement, restoration, construction or creation of an asset which you are acquiring or have acquired, with the intention of using it on a continuing basis in the Organisation's activities and is not intended for sale in the ordinary course of your Organisation's activities.

It also includes any costs directly attributable or expenses incidental to the actual purchase, improvement, restoration, construction or creation of the asset. 'Improvement' means expenditure which increases the expected future benefits arising from the existing asset beyond its previously assessed level, or results in:

• a significant extension to the asset's life
• a significant increase in capacity
• a significant enhancement in the quality or value of the asset.

Capital grants can cover all art forms. The Arts Council's interpretation of artistic activities is very broad and covers the full spectrum of arts activity, both professional and non-professional.

CRITERIA FOR DECISION MAKING

Arts Council will assess your project against our published priorities and on the quality of the project, based on our assessment of how well you meet their criteria. Full details in the Arts Council guidelines.

• Criterion 1: Public benefit
• Criterion 2: Organisational benefit, financial viability and quality of management
• Criterion 3: Partnership Funding
• Criterion 4: Quality of design and construction
• Criterion 5: Quality of arts activities planned, including education work
• Criterion 6: Relevance of project to local and regional plans for developing the arts
• Criterion 7: Involvement of artists and craftspeople
• Criterion 8: Quality of plans for marketing and audience development

It is very important that you think carefully about how your project satisfies these criteria and use the application form to demonstrate this to us. You must satisfy us that your project meets all the related criteria before a grant can be awarded.