Deadline: 14-Aug-2025
Applications are now open for the Inclusive Arts Fund, created by Rethink Ireland with support from Tomar Trust, the Drouillard Family Fund through The Community Foundation of Ireland, and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
This fund aims to provide support to not-for-profit organisations and projects that use the arts to promote equality and inclusion, driving positive social outcomes. Inclusive arts practices ensure equal access to the arts for marginalized groups, including people with disabilities, migrants, refugees, LGBTQI+ communities, Travellers, the Roma community, other minority groups, and those facing socio-economic disadvantage.
The Inclusive Arts Fund seeks to fill gaps by supporting innovative projects and organisations to scale targeted interventions that bring arts and cultural activities to individuals who might otherwise be excluded.
The fund offers a package of cash grants and non-financial supports valued up to €139,200 for up to four projects, helping them expand and increase their social impact. This includes up to four awards of up to €124,200 over three years.
Non-financial supports include a place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme, bespoke business and capacity-building supports tailored in consultation with the successful projects, covering topics such as strategic planning, maximizing impact, communications, storytelling, and fundraising. Awardees will also gain access to Rethink Ireland’s networks.
The fund is open to organisations with a not-for-profit legal form, such as companies limited by guarantee, co-operatives, trusts, charities, or other voluntary organisations. Projects must meet both Rethink Ireland’s core criteria and the specific criteria for the Inclusive Arts Fund.
Rethink Ireland’s core criteria require that projects address a critical social or environmental issue and be innovative in the Irish context. Projects must be based on the island of Ireland with the main impact in the Republic of Ireland and show potential or desire to scale or replicate within Ireland. Projects must have some level of testing or implementation already in place. Applicants must be from not-for-profit entities.
For the Inclusive Arts Fund, projects must address barriers to arts participation for marginalized communities, increasing their involvement. Projects should support those facing marginalisation to develop artistic knowledge, skills, expression, and competency. Targeted interventions must aim to facilitate social integration, community cohesion, or promote inclusion in the arts; improve emotional wellbeing and resilience; or enhance understanding of the lived experience of marginalised groups in the arts.
Applicants who are under 18 years old, commercial companies, sole traders, individuals, staff members of Rethink Ireland and their immediate family, statutory or public bodies, companies limited by shares, or consultants currently working with Rethink Ireland are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit Rethink Ireland.
