Galway 2020 is now accepting funding applications from local communities for the second wave of its Small Towns Big Ideas projects.
Galway 2020 has €200,000 to distribute to community groups with ideas for projects celebrating ‘Meitheal’, the ancient Irish tradition of coming together for a common purpose.
Interested groups are asked to submit proposals that demonstrate collaboration, ambition, creativity, community involvement, European dimension, and match the core Capital of Culture themes of Landscape, Language and Migration.Â
Proposals for projects should be submitted through the Galway 2020 website before the closing date of 5pm on 10 May.
Over 50 projects in Galway city and county were awarded funding from the first round of Small Towns Big Ideas, mobilising local communities and artists to celebrate the diversity of Galway.
More than 20 of those projects have already taken place, with the remainder scheduled to happen over the remainder of 2019.
Successful applicants for the second wave will make up a big part of the programme for 2020 itself when Galway receives the Capital of Culture designation.
Galway 2020 has struggled with funding issues for some time, as the company has failed to collect the amount it expected from sponsorship and other sources.
It’s understood that
Despite these concerns Helen Marriage, Creative Director of Galway 2020 has said they will put on a “truly memorable” year for Galway, of which Small Towns Big Ideas will be a big part.
“Small Towns Big Ideas offers opportunities for groups across the county to get involved through their arts projects and be part of an amazing artistic and cultural programme, that will draw on distinctly Irish roots, revealing and looking beyond Galway and Ireland towards Europe.”
A number of information sessions for Small Towns Big Ideas in the coming weeks:
- Clifden Station House Theatre, Tuesday April 9, 7pmÂ
- Galway 2020 Offices, 16 Merchant’s Road, Wednesday April 10, 7pmÂ
- BuilÃn Blasta Café, Spiddal (this meeting will be as Gaeilge), Thursday April 11, 7pmÂ
- Ballinasloe Library, Tuesday April 16, 7pmÂ
