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Nominations open for Sing in Wicklow Award (Ireland)

Deadline: 05-Feb-2026

The Sing in Wicklow Award offers grants of up to €1,000 to support choirs, singing groups, and professional choir leaders in County Wicklow, enhancing community participation in choral singing. Funding supports professional development, workshops, collaborations, competitions, and strategic planning, with projects required to be completed by 30 September 2026.

Overview

The Sing in Wicklow Award is a competitive funding opportunity designed to advance the professional development of choirs, singing groups, and choir leaders, while promoting wider community participation in choral singing.

The initiative is part of the Creative Wicklow Strategy 2023–2027, funded by Creative Ireland and administered by Wicklow County Council. Evaluation is conducted by the Wicklow County Creative Ireland Assessment Board.

Purpose and Objectives

The award supports activities that:

  • Provide specialist professional workshops for choir members

  • Facilitate inter-choir collaborations, including performances, training, peer learning, and networking

  • Encourage participation in competitions or public performance events

  • Support the recruitment of new members and increase capacity within existing choral groups

  • Enable strategic development, planning, and commissioning of new work

Projects must be community-focused, benefiting residents of County Wicklow.

Funding Details

  • Grant amount per project: Up to €1,000

  • Payment structure: Funds awarded after signing a Letter of Agreement and confirming appropriate insurance

  • Eligibility of expenses:

    • Eligible: Artist fees, facilitator costs, project materials, event production costs, travel related to project

    • Ineligible: Alcohol, hospitality, food and drink, fines, penalties, legal costs, audit fees, general overheads (rent, utilities), expenses incurred before approval, capital asset purchases (e.g., musical instruments)

Funding is competitive, with no guarantee of support for applications meeting only minimum eligibility criteria.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Choirs and singing groups based in County Wicklow

  • Musical directors or choir leaders associated with such groups

  • Lead applicant must:

    • Hold a bank account for receipt of funds

    • Manage all project expenses directly from the awarded amount

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted online via the Submittable platform. Incomplete, late, faxed, emailed, or posted applications will not be considered.

Required documentation includes:

  • Project budget outline

  • Letters of support (where relevant)

  • CV or biography of the facilitator, artist, musical director, or choir leader

  • Up to five examples of previous work, which can include:

    • Images

    • Reviews

    • Treatments or draft scores

    • Audio or video recordings

Project Requirements

  • Projects must be completed by 30 September 2026

  • Must include evidence of project delivery, such as:

    • Photographs or video recordings

    • Expenditure report with copies of invoices/receipts

    • Media or press coverage

  • Award recipients must acknowledge Wicklow County Council and Creative Ireland in all publicity, press, and marketing materials according to the Letter of Offer guidelines

Selection and Compliance

  • Awards are subject to fund availability

  • Wicklow County Council reserves the right to withhold or divide funding at its discretion

  • Applicants must ensure full compliance with submission requirements, documentation, timelines, and relevant legislation

Key Deadlines

  • Application deadline: 4:00 PM, Thursday, 5 February 2026

  • Projects must be fully completed by 30 September 2026

Why This Award Matters

The Sing in Wicklow Award strengthens local community choirs and singing groups by:

  • Building skills and professional capacity for choir leaders and members

  • Encouraging collaboration and peer learning across choirs

  • Enhancing community participation and engagement in choral singing

  • Supporting strategic planning and sustainable growth of local choral infrastructure

Conclusion

The Sing in Wicklow Award 2026 provides a vital opportunity for choirs and musical leaders in County Wicklow to develop professionally, collaborate with peers, and engage their communities in meaningful choral experiences. With grants of up to €1,000 and strong guidance from Wicklow County Council, funded projects will contribute to the sustainable growth of the county’s choral culture.

For more information, visit Wicklow County Arts Office.