Culture Night invites everyone, everywhere, on one joyful night to discover and celebrate all that our culture is today. This year, Culture Night takes place on Friday, September 19th from 4pm until late, and the theme is “ONE NIGHT FOR ALL.”Culture Night is brought to you by the Arts Council in partnership with Sligo County Council Arts Service. It is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity, and the arts, and seeks to actively promote the belief that our rich and varied culture is alive, treasured, and nurtured in people’s lives—today and every day.The Culture Night experience now takes place across a wide range of sectors: culture, arts, heritage, education, hospitality, tourism, health, commercial, and corporate enterprise. Its diversity is reflected in the scope and range of events that take place and the people who participate. It aims to continue to connect with both engaged audiences and those who may not always have access. Sligo Arts Service now invites individuals and organisations who wish to be part of this great night to submit proposals for funding under the Culture Night Sligo 2025 Fund.
This year, the fund will support up to 3 Flagship Events and up to 5 Featured Events, specially programmed for Culture Night to amplify County Sligo’s existing cultural infrastructure. The fund will also support an array of cultural events countywide (Culture Wide) which are both inclusive and accessible to all.
Proposals can include any and all creative activities—from performances to exhibitions, readings, talks, workshops, heritage events, interactive installations, craft activities, film screenings, etc.
We particularly welcome events delivered in or engaging with the Irish language and encourage submissions that celebrate the diversity of Ireland’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Who Can Apply
- Arts, heritage, and cultural venues, groups, and societies (professional & amateur)
- Individual artists, musicians, and other creatives & collectives
- Creative/cultural organisations, community groups, older persons groups, youth work groups, sports groups, neighbourhood groups, etc.
- Creative enterprises that engage with communities
Our Priorities for 2025 Include
- Engaging and amplifying County Sligo’s existing cultural infrastructure (festivals, theatres, libraries, galleries, artist workspaces, heritage sites, public spaces)
- Activating communities in towns and villages throughout the county to come together and programme, host, and/or participate in cultural activities in their local areas
- Collaborations between local groups proposing town programmes
- Arts organisations, community groups, and professional or voluntary/amateur artists/performers working in any medium throughout the town and county
- Initiatives that have the capacity to animate public spaces countywide in innovative and creative ways
- Events outside of traditional spaces
- Events that invite participation in local heritage and culture
- Opportunities for target audiences including families, youth audiences, adults, older people, and the hard-to-reach to participate
- Events that ensure professional artists/performers receive fair remuneration for their work
- Events that celebrate new communities and under-represented voices
- Events that encourage people to try new cultural experiences and visit cultural venues
Application Procedure and Deadline
The deadline for submission of proposals to the Culture Night programme 2025 is Monday 16th June 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
Please also refer to the INFORMATION SHEET.
