Anne O’Donoghue Award: Nurturing Excellence in Northern Ireland’s Community Arts Sector – closed 9 Feb

The Community Arts Partnership (CAP) proudly announces the re-opening of the Anne O’Donoghue Award, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and managed now by CAP, the lead agency for community arts.

Established in memory of the late Anne O’Donoghue, a pivotal figure in participatory arts, the award is dedicated to supporting the professional growth of Arts Managers/Administrators in Northern Ireland-based Community Arts and participatory arts organizations. This includes those contributing to Arts & Disability, Minority Ethnic Arts, Circus, Carnival, Arts & Health, and Youth Arts.

Anne O’Donoghue, who tragically passed away in September 2014, played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Community Arts in Northern Ireland. As the driving force behind the ground-breaking Play Resource Warehouse, Anne’s enduring legacy is marked by her unwavering commitment to excellence in service design and delivery, as well as her dedication to advancing the professional development of others.

The Anne O’Donoghue Award, now under the stewardship of CAP, seeks to fulfil the following objectives:

  1. Foster Professional Development: Through formal or informal courses, mentoring, coaching, supervision, research, and cultural exchanges.
  2. Strengthen Business and Managerial Skills: Focused on enhancing expertise within the Community Arts sector.
  3. Promote Continuous Professional Development: Dedicated to the ongoing growth of individuals working in Community Arts, ensuring the sector’s vitality.

Noirin McKinney, joint Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “Anne made a huge contribution to the arts in Northern Ireland and this annual award was established in her memory to support artists working in community arts to access the training and skills they need to enhance their professional development.

We are delighted to be working with CAP to invite applications to the Anne O’Donoghue Award for 2024. Moving forward, their advice and experience will really help maximise the potential of this award, to develop best practice and opportunities for artists within this important and vibrant sector.”

Conor Shields, Chief Executive of the Community Arts Partnership, expressed his enthusiasm for the renewed commitment to the Anne O’Donoghue Award, stating, “This award is not just a tribute to Anne O’Donoghue’s legacy but also acts as a beacon for those committed to excellence in Community Arts and related sectors. We are honoured that the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has determined that CAP should now carry forward Anne’s legacy, and this National Lottery award underscores our collective determination to recognising achievement, fostering innovation and supporting professional growth within the sector.”

The Anne O’Donoghue Award is a testament to the enduring influence of a dynamic individual and the commitment of the Community Arts Partnership to championing excellence in Northern Ireland’s Community Arts sector.

To apply

Applications are now open and close on FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, 2024 AT 5PM precisely. Return your application and all supporting documents to aod@capartscentre.com

Any prospective project must start and finish between 25th March 2024 and 31st January 2025.

Guidance and Application form

Now, please read carefully the guidance on eligibility, how to apply etc., and remember to continue to refer to them as you make your application.

Anne O’Donoghue Award form 23_24 (docx)

Anne O’Donoghue Award via CAP guidance 23_24 (pdf)

Applications close on: Friday 9th February, 2024 at 5pm precisely. Submissions are now closed.

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New Belfast Community Arts Initiative trading as Community Arts Partnership is a registered charity (XR 36570) and a company limited by guarantee (Northern Ireland NI 37645).Registered with The Charity Commission as New Belfast Community Arts Initiative - NIC105169.