We opened our #WedgeFunds to applications in November 2020, inviting artists to apply for support to that would allow them space and time to think, dream, breathe, learn, create, develop, design and inspire, and received 325 exceptional applications.
Festival Director Jo Mangan said: “The panel were really astonished by the volume and quality of ideas coming from artists who are starved of the opportunity to make work to share with audiences. We conceived of this fund as a way to help support artists from all disciplines in these most difficult times, as well as to help get projects off the ground – particularly through development funds. We are humbled by the response, and are very happy to be able to disperse these funds directly to artists. I want to thank the Board of Carlow Arts Festival for getting behind this idea as well as the Carlow County Arts Office and Sinead Dowling who has come on board this project as a massive champion and supporter of artists”.
Sinead Dowling, Arts Officer, Carlow County Council said: “The calibre of artists applying under this fund was enormously high and a real testament to the Arts in Carlow that artists have us on their radar and they know this is a place that places artists at the heart of our work, we are thrilled to support the artists and projects awarded and look forward to returning to live performance and seeing these artists work in progress and development”.
