Carlow Beo! 2026 Open Call 

Carlow County Council Arts Office is pleased to present Carlow Beo! a celebration of live performance in all its forms, bringing people together in local spaces in County Carlow to connect in culture and creativity.

Carlow Beo! a live performance events programme for the County will fund a wide variety of performance events including, but not limited to, live music and song, performance, comedy, theatre, street arts, spectacle and dance. Events can take place at venues, libraries, parks, and community centres throughout the county.Outdoor performance events are particularly welcome. Small scale solo performances and unplugged presentations through to amplified concerts will be considered. The 2025 Carlow Live and Local programme presented 5 Performance Opportunities across the 3 Municipal Districts, showcasing 20 Performers and we plan to build on this success in 2026.

The 2026 Carlow Beo! programme will be launched in February 2026 with events taking place between April and November.

Proposals for events to be part of the Carlow Beo! 2026 programme are now invited from:

• Professional performers and producers; (ensembles or individuals) based in County Carlow

• County Carlow Cultural Organisations and County Carlow Community Centres/venues, entertainment and activity providers and those wishing to collaborate to host events

The deadline for proposals is 13th February 2026 at 12 noon.

Conditions:

• Events must take place within one of the three municipal districts of County Carlow

• Proposed events must be in the cost range of between €500 and €5,000.

• Events must take place between April and November 2026 inclusive.

• Applications may be for a single event or a series of events.

• All events should be either free of charge or have a nominal charge.

• All applications must be in line with public health considerations.

• Events should be scheduled into controlled public performance locations.

• Events which are charity fundraisers are not eligible.

• Preference will be given to artist and/or community led initiatives.

• The Council reserves the right to utilize the panel from Carlow Beo! for other Council commissioned activities during the programme period. 

Applications must include:

• The date of the event/s

• Description of your event (max 500 words)

• Details of the event location

• Brief relevant biographies of the performing artists / ensembles / producers and any ancillary staff. (max 500 words)

• Proof of agreements with venues and/or performers where appropriate

• Details of production/staging (proposals must include all associated costs)

• A detailed budget including the fees and costs e.g. performing artists; event management and production staff; production costs; promotion costs; venue hire (where relevant, this is not an exhaustive list)

• Any other income including ticket sales and other grants

• Risk assessment; Public Liability insurance and indemnity of Carlow County Council

• Images for use in promotion including confirmation of permission for their use

Selection:

Programme events will be selected by Carlow County Arts Office, as programme manager, to ensure a variety of genres, a geographic spread of events around the County, and a spread throughout the duration of the Carlow Beo! programme which runs between April and November inclusive.
Successful applicants will be provided with logos and wording to acknowledge this funding and will be required to liaise with Carlow County Council’s Arts office team as funders. Late applications will not be accepted. All decisions are final, and Carlow County Council will not enter into any communications regarding decisions.

Marking Criteria:

• Artistic merit of the proposal in comparison to other proposals.

• Technical feasibility

• Financial feasibility

• Overall quality and ambition of proposal

• Applicants track record and relevant experience (demonstrated through CV, supporting documentation etc.)

• Applications should show value for money and include allocation for contingencies

Please note:

Artists should be adequately compensated for planning and delivery time in line with the Arts Councils paying the artist and artworkers policy. The Council reserves the right to offer less than the amount requested by the applicant and/or stipulate what may/may not be funded through the scheme.

It is the applicants responsibility to secure event venue and ensure all proposals are be compliant with public regulations i.e. Public Law, Fire safety requirements. Health and safety requirements etc.

Funding support from Carlow County Council must be acknowledged and all publicity material.

All questions relating to the application process should be directed to: artsservice@carlowcoco.ie

Carlow Beo! is a Carlow County Council Arts Office initiative.