Nominations open for Deis Recording and Publication Award (Ireland)

The Deis Recording and Publication Award supports projects in traditional Irish arts, including music, song, dance, storytelling, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Grants of up to €10,000 fund high-quality recordings and publications, emphasizing artistic innovation, community benefit, and career development for artists in the traditional arts sector.

The Deis Recording and Publication Award is designed to fund projects that record, publish, and disseminate traditional Irish arts, including music, song, dance, and oral artforms such as storytelling and agallamh beirte. The award encourages innovation, artistic excellence, and wide accessibility, benefiting both the individual artist and the broader traditional arts community.

Award Objectives

• Support recording and publication projects in the traditional arts

• Prioritize artistic quality, innovation, and community benefit

• Promote career development for individual artists

• Encourage archival work, regional or stylistic documentation, and innovative formats

• Ensure wider dissemination of exceptional work in traditional arts

Funding Details

• Maximum award: €10,000

• Average award (2025): €6,316

• Funding should cover the difference between proposed expenditure and proposed income

• Eligible costs include:

  • Artists’ fees

  • Rehearsal and performance costs

  • Venue or studio hire

  • Technical and production costs

  • Publication, distribution, promotion, and publicity

  • Administrative costs

Applicants are encouraged to pay themselves and collaborators fairly, following the Arts Council’s Paying the Artist policy and industry standards.

Who Can Apply

• Individuals, groups, bands, or organisations working in traditional arts

• Artforms covered: music, song, dance, storytelling, agallamh beirte, and interdisciplinary collaborations

• Applicants must normally reside in the Republic of Ireland, though exceptions may be considered if the project benefits the Irish traditional arts sector

• Applicants must have a demonstrable track record in traditional arts

Eligibility Restrictions

Applicants cannot apply if they:

• Are full-time undergraduate students

• Seek support for formal education fees

• Already have an ongoing Deis Recording Award

• Previously submitted an unsuccessful application for the same project

• Propose projects that are already completed, profit-making, or better suited to other funding schemes

• Include ineligible costs, such as purchase of musical instruments

Project Standards

Recordings

• Must meet high production standards

• Work with a recognized producer or demonstrate experience in quality sound production

• Must be accessible to the public via:

  • Release or library access

  • Archive access

  • Clear online or physical distribution plans

• Applicants must explain promotion and dissemination strategies

Publications

• Must be developed in partnership with a recognized publisher or an organisation with a proven record of high-quality publications

• Ensures editorial and production excellence and effective distribution

Access and Inclusion

• Disability access costs supported in two ways:

  • Personal disability access costs – applied for in addition to the core budget

  • Audience disability access costs – included in the core budget

• Applicants must provide documentation and consent for relevant personal data processing

Application Requirements

• Detailed CV of applicant(s)

• Samples or demos of proposed work

• 3–6 examples of previous work

• For publications, include sample chapters or draft material

• Documentation of collaborations or financial support where applicable

• Complete applications only; missing materials result in ineligibility

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated competitively by specialist assessors and peer panels, considering:

• Artistic quality of the project

• Alignment with award objectives and priorities

• Feasibility within proposed timeframe and budget

• Applicant track record and experience

• Commitment of collaborators

• Overall capacity to deliver a high-standard project

How to Apply

1. Develop a recording or publication project in a traditional artform

2. Prepare detailed proposal, budget, CVs, samples, and supporting documentation

3. Submit the application online or as per Arts Council instructions

4. Ensure all supporting materials are included to avoid ineligibility

5. Await assessment by peer panel and specialist reviewers

Tips for a Strong Application

• Emphasize innovation, artistic quality, and community benefit

• Demonstrate a clear dissemination plan for recordings or publications

• Include evidence of previous work to establish credibility

• Provide transparent and realistic budgets reflecting eligible costs

• Ensure collaborators are committed and documented

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the Deis Award?

Individuals, groups, bands, or organisations with a demonstrable track record in traditional arts, primarily based in Ireland.

2. What types of projects are supported?

Recording and publication projects in music, song, dance, storytelling, agallamh beirte, and collaborations between traditional arts and other artforms.

3. What is the maximum funding amount?

Up to €10,000, with an average award around €6,316.

4. Can students or first-time applicants apply?

Full-time undergraduate students cannot apply. First-time applicants may apply if they meet the track record requirement.

5. What costs are eligible?

Artists’ fees, rehearsal/performance costs, technical and production costs, publication, distribution, promotion, and administrative expenses.

6. Are there requirements for recordings and publications?

Yes, recordings must be high-quality and publicly accessible, and publications must be produced with a recognized publisher or institution.

7. How are applications assessed?

By peer panels and specialist assessors, based on artistic quality, feasibility, track record, and alignment with award priorities.

Conclusion

The Deis Recording and Publication Award offers essential support for preserving and promoting Ireland’s traditional arts. By funding high-quality recordings and publications, the award fosters innovation, collaboration, and career development, ensuring that traditional arts remain vibrant, accessible, and widely disseminated.