Elevate: Creating Inclusive Opportunities Grant Programme (Ireland)

Elevate 2027: Creating inclusive opportunities is a grant opportunity funded by the Arts Council and managed through Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR COCO). It supports groups of disabled people (all ages) to create an art project with an artist during January–December 2027. The application deadline is Friday, 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (time zone not specified in the source). Opportunity at a Glance

- Opportunity name: Elevate 2027: Creating inclusive opportunities

- Funding organization (funded by): Arts Council

- Managing authority (portal/Arts Office): Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (dlr) Arts Office (DLR COCO)

- Grant purpose: Support inclusive arts projects created by groups of disabled people with an artist

- Maximum grant amount: Up to €5,000

- Project timeframe: January to December 2027

- Eligible locations: Projects and disability services/groups must meet in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County; activities must take place within the County

- Who can apply:

- Professional artists who live or work in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County, or - A group/disability service that meets in the County (a group is at least four people)

- Application deadline: Friday, 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM

- Application portal: dlrcoco.submit.com (registration may be required for first-time applicants)

About the Opportunity

Elevate 2027: Creating inclusive opportunities provides grant funding to support groups of disabled people of all ages to create an art project together with an artist. The opportunity is funded by the Arts Council, and the dlr Arts Office welcomes applications that champion inclusion and creativity. Applicants can propose arts projects that involve a disability group/service and an artist, with project activity planned across 2027. Funding and Benefits

- Maximum funding available: A maximum of €5,000 per successful application (the source does not specify a total funding pool).

- What the grant can cover includes: - Fees for an artist to work with a group of disabled people or a disability service on the project - Art materials and other relevant arts project costs (examples given include refreshments like cups of tea and biscuits, and group expenses such as travel to enable participation) - Support/access costs needed to engage with the project - Fees for professionals (e.g., a photographer or another artist) - Other costs relevant to the project

- Not funded (examples provided):

- Third party grants (giving funding as a grant to someone else) - Loans or charity fundraising events - Capital equipment (e.g., computers, TV, musical instruments) - Hire of Council premises - International travel - Third level education Who Is Eligible? The opportunity specifies eligibility based on applicant type, residency/location, and timing. Eligible applicants - Professional artists who live or work in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County - A group/disability service that meets in the County - For this grant, a “group” is at least four people Location requirement - Disability services/groups must meet in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County. - Projects that take place outside the County will not be funded. Key application eligibility conditions Applicants must also meet the following requirements stated in the source: - Activities must take place from January to December 2027. - The Arts Office will not fund arts activities already received funding for from the Council in the last 12 months. - Applicants can apply for only one arts grant. If applying for other council grants, applicants must state this in the application. It is noted as “unlikely” that applicants will receive more than one grant from the Council unless for completely different activities. - If the artist or group received an arts grant for 2026, they must have sent the report/update, or a new application will not be accepted. - Late applications will not be accepted. - The Arts Office will not accept applications from individual artists that do not include a letter or email from the disability service/organisation confirming they are happy to participate in the proposed project. - The outcome decision is final; the Arts Office will email applicants with the panel’s score and feedback, and also share the lowest score at which applications were awarded funding. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas

The grant supports arts projects that:

- Involve groups of disabled people (all ages) - Are created with an artist - Increase participation in the arts for disabled people involved - Occur within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County during January–December 2027 The opportunity also signals an interest in applications that champion inclusion and creativity. Why This Opportunity Matters This grant is designed for inclusive, socially engaged/collaborative arts activity where disabled participants work with artists to create an art project. The selection criteria emphasize both: - Increasing arts participation for disabled people, and - The applicant’s relevant experience and the overall quality and clarity of the application (including budget breakdown and supporting evidence). It is particularly relevant for artists based in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County and for disability groups/services looking to deliver structured arts engagement in 2027. How to Apply

- Register (if needed): If this is your first time applying for a grant on the portal, you will need to register.

- Review the application guide: The source includes a “Guide” to learn how to register and use the system. Not specified in the article text is the exact URL to the guide.

- Complete the online application: Click Apply on the opportunity page after registration.

- Prepare responses to the application questions, including (as listed in the source): - Confirmation you have read general guidelines and are eligible - Confirmation you have only applied for one arts grant - The electoral ward the disability group/service is based in - CV and experience details - Upload a one-page proposal or shor