Arts Council NI: Equipment and Minor Refurbishment Programme
Overview
Who can apply
The Arts Council welcomes applications from the widest possible range of organisations and in particular from applicants whose projects benefit individuals categorised under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. In addition, in order to be eligible to apply to this programme, please note the following:
- You do not have to be primarily an arts organisation, (for example, community groups may apply to the scheme), however, the purpose of the requested equipment or refurbishment must be clearly focussed on the arts.
- Local authorities are eligible to apply but they are a low priority.
- Registered charities and other fully constituted organisations which cannot distribute a profit are eligible to apply.
- Commercial organisations can only apply for support if the equipment /refurbishment is primarily for the benefit of the public rather than their own commercial interests.
- If your organisation has a limited membership you must show that the equipment/refurbishment will benefit the wider public.
- Groups of organisations (consortia) working together to deliver specific projects may apply.
What you can apply for
You can apply for any refurbishment work or item of equipment for an arts-related activity such as, but not limited to, the following:
- Lighting equipment
- Stage equipment
- Sound equipment
- Accessibility equipment
- Captioning equipment
- Video equipment
- Minor refurbishments
- Transport
- IT equipment *
- Office equipment
* The following maximum contributions towards these particular items of IT equipment should be noted. Contributions above these limits will only be made in exceptional circumstances, where the applicant has presented a strong rationale justifying additional costs per item.
- Tablet Computers: £500
- Laptops/PCs: £1,200
Criteria
They will assess your project against the following criteria:
Criterion 1: Public benefit
Criterion 2: Quality of arts activities
Criterion 3: Financial viability and quality of management, including how you have managed previous projects
It is very important that you think carefully about how your project satisfies these criteria and use the application form to demonstrate this to them.
Criterion 1 - Public Benefit: You should detail how the equipment will benefit your audiences/participants/artists.
Criterion 2 – Quality of Arts Activity: You should detail how the equipment requested will enhance the quality of your arts activity.
Criterion 3 - Financial Viability and Quality of Management: This will be assessed using the financial information and quotes you provide with the application. If you are a previous ACNI grant recipient, we may also use our knowledge of your organisation’s management of previous Arts Council grants.