Dundalk's SEEK Urban Arts Festival receives €5k funding

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, Catherine Martin, has today announced a funding allocation of €131,036 for 30 events to support Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools taking place around Ireland in 2023.

Included in the funding was €5,000 for SEEK Urban Arts Festival for the creation of murals and to run a programme of events included daily walking tours of mural sites, graffiti workshops and a launch event.

The Seán Corcoran Series, a musical festival in Drogheda celebrating the life of Seán Corcoran also received €5,000 as part of the scheme to run a programme which includes concerts, workshops, sean nós dance, a specialist instrument making workshop, a food and craft fair, an historical tour with music, song and sculpture.

The scheme is designed to assist local cultural events which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events such as those supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.

Closing date for applications was 1pm on the 9th June 2023. Funding was allocated following a competitive applications process, with a maximum grant of €5,000 available.

 Speaking today, Minister Martin said:

“Culture and arts add hugely to our lives and to our community and supporting the Festivals and Summer Schools around Ireland and locally is a crucial part of the work of my Department. 

“These projects make a very significant contribution to the development and promotion of Ireland's cultural tourism offering, to the benefit of both the domestic and foreign tourist. 

"I wish the organisers every success; and I hope that the public will enjoy the wonderful programmes of events around the country over the coming months.”