UPDATED Guidelines - Live Performance Support Scheme 2021: Strand II Seasonal Musical Theatre and Pantomime - Guidelines

Please note these guidelines were updated on December 20 2021

– productions may now choose to apply under Stream A (Guidelines as existed on 16 December 2021) OR Stream B (Guidelines as amended on 17 December 2021)

Please read the following guidelines carefully before completing the application form

• Applications are being invited for grant funding under this scheme.
• The application form is available on the Department’s website and the scheme will close for applications at 1pm on Monday January 31st 2022.
• Applicants can make only one application under this scheme – either under Stream A or Stream B (introduced on 17th December).
• Only one application may be made per programme.

Please note:

• This Scheme will operate with a fund of €5m and it may not be possible to allocate funding to all eligible applicants. Offers of funding to successful applicants may be for a lesser amount than that sought by the applicant.
• The Department will consider applications strictly in order of receipt and late submissions will not be considered.

The COVID-19 crisis continues to have an unprecedented impact on those in the arts and culture sectors. Building on the success and exceptional demand for the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 (LPSS 2021), a further strand of the scheme is being made available to support Seasonal Musical Theatre and Pantomime events in November and December 2021 and January 2022. This new strand of the LPSS 2021 is a targeted support for venues and promoters running seasonal musical theatre and pantomime over the Christmas 2021 season and who were unable to apply for support under the LPSS 2021 as all events had to conclude on or before 31st October 2021.

The new strand (Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 - Strand II) has a fund of €5 million available to support large-scale seasonal musical theatre and pantomime. The scheme aims to assist the live performance sector to create employment opportunities over the Christmas period 2021 for artists, performers, technicians and support staff through the provision of high quality seasonal musical theatre and pantomime.

Positive outcomes from the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 to date have included;

• Thousands of days of employment for hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians through the delivery of rich and innovative programmes of entertainment;
• Performances which have been enjoyed both in person and online by the public, both at home and abroad. These performances have entertained audiences from June 2021 to October 2021 providing wellbeing benefits to the public, artists and crews.

Details of projects funded through the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 to date can be viewed here.

The aims of this support scheme are to:

• Support the generation of high quality seasonal musical theatre and pantomime output for the general public, during November and December 2021 and January 2022;
• Provide performance opportunities for professional artists, musicians, crew and other staff members involved in the seasonal musical theatre/pantomime performances during November and December 2021 and January 2022.

Please note the following:

• This Scheme will operate with a fund of €5m and it may not be possible to allocate funding to all eligible applicants.
• Applications will be considered strictly in order of receipt and late submissions will not be considered.
• Eligibility alone does not guarantee that an application will receive grant funding.
• Offers of funding to successful applicants may be for a lesser amount than that sought by the applicant.
• It is Departmental policy to ensure that every application is treated fairly and impartially.

Applicants should carry out a detailed assessment of their activities with regard to the continuing public health measures and guidelines. Based on their assessment, applicants should determine if they will be in a position to operate safely and in line with public health measures at all times.

Ineligible performances/events include the following:

• Venues, producers, promoters in receipt of funding from another public body towards the production costs of the event(s) for which the application is being made;
• Venues, producers and promoters who do not have at least two years track record during 2017-2019 in producing in person seasonal musical theatre and pantomime of scale.
• Venues, producers and promoters who do not have VAT-exclusive turnover of €100,000 or above or above as a result of seasonal musical theatre/pantomime for at least two of the past 3 years (2017-2019) in order to be considered under this scheme;
• Seasonal experiences not of a primarily theatrical nature performed on stage to a seated audience e.g. Santa experiences are not eligible under this scheme.

Established producers, promoters and venues that create seasonal musical theatre and pantomime performances.

The following eligibility criteria will also apply:

• Proven track record of the staging of Seasonal Musical Theatre/Pantomime live performances undertaken in at least two of the past 3 years (2017-2019) planned for an in-person live audience;
• The business must have VAT-exclusive turnover of €100,000 or above or above as a result of seasonal musical theatre/pantomime for each of at least two of the past 3 years (2017-2019) in order to be considered under this scheme;
• Planning to stage Seasonal Musical Theatre/Pantomime live performances in the Republic of Ireland during the period November and December 2021 and/or January 2022, planned for performance to an in-person live audience;
• The minimum grant will be €75,000 therefore the minimum eligible production cost of the event(s) must be no less than €150,000.
• The maximum grant will be €500,000
• The business must be located in the State and turnover eligible for this scheme can only be generated by activities in the State.
• The business must be tax compliant.

Grant amount requested

The grant is now being offered under two Streams – Stream A and Stream B

Only one application for each Production can be considered. Applicants may apply for Stream A OR Stream B

Stream A follows the original Guidelines for this scheme (as amended on 8th December) where the grant will cover a maximum of 50% of eligible production costs, up to a maximum grant of €500,000

Stream B will cover a maximum of 100% of eligible production costs, net of box office or other revenue streams, up to a maximum grant of €500,000.

For all applicants the minimum grant is €75,000 therefore the minimum eligible production costs of the event(s) must be no less than €150,000. The Maximum grant which will be provided is €500,000 irrespective of the total production costs or which Stream is applied for. Please note offers of funding to successful applicants may be for a lesser amount than that sought by the applicant.

Applicants are asked to specify which Stream they wish to apply for, having taken each production’s details and circumstances under consideration.

If an applicant has already applied for or been granted under what is now Stream A and wish to apply under Stream B, they should withdraw their existing (Stream A) application by notifying the scheme mailbox as soon as possible LPSSstrand2@tcagsm.gov.ie. They will then need to submit a Stream B Application, stating it is for consideration under those guidelines.

Both Streams will remain open until 1pm on Monday January 31st 2022 and applications must be received by that time.

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to provide the following information:

• Details of proposed performance in 2021/2022 for which funding will be sought (Seasonal Musical Theatre and/or Pantomime events ONLY):
• Number of contracts for service required for the live production, contract of service are not eligible costs.
• Number of performances/shows planned in total of live production
• Location of performance (this must be in the Republic of Ireland)
• If ticketed, number of tickets available and expected to sell for performance
• Proposed dates of performance
• Total Estimated cost of production, broken down in particular by:

-contract description

-contract value

-Artist and Crew costs as a percentage of the overall production cost.

Please note:

Only one application per event/programme will be considered.

Under Stream A: Support will be offered by way of a once-off grant of up to a maximum of 50% of eligible production costs.

Under Stream B: Support will be offered by way of a once-off grant of up to a maximum of 100% of eligible production costs, net of box office and other revenue streams.

The maximum grant available will be €500,000 to venues, producers and promoters with a proven record of accomplishment in staging seasonal musical theatre and pantomime performances. The minimum grant is €75,000 therefore the minimum production cost of the event(s) must be no less than €150,000 of eligible production costs.

1. The event had to be cancelled due to the restrictions ;

2. The event had to be curtailed i.e. run at max 50% seated capacity due to the restrictions;

3. The event had to be rescheduled due to the restrictions, and the grant being applied for is in respect of costs for events planned to be staged before the end of June 2022;

Offers of funding may be for a lesser amount than that sought by the applicant.

Funding will be based on providing a contribution to eligible costs related to the creation / production of a seasonal musical theatre/pantomime live performance, to be staged in November and December 2021, which will include:

• Venue Costs per event to include crew / overhead costs that are incurred as a result of and for the duration of production only);
• Contracts for Service for
• Artist/Performer Fees
• Musician Fees
• Crew Fees
• Services from Creative Industries (including services of Set/Costume Designers)

-Live Streaming costs

-Costs relating to costumes for theatrical productions

-Costs relating to Advertising, PR related to the specific event

-Hire of specialist equipment specifically required for the event

-Health and Safety and Security costs

The following costs will not be eligible for reimbursement under this scheme:

• Staff costs for those on contract of service;
• Purchase of equipment
• Local authority Rates
• Contracts of Employment not relevant to the production
• Legal and Accountancy Fees
• Annual Insurance costs (with the exception of per event insurance)

Notes:

• Grant payments will be made on the basis of paid invoices submitted (matured liabilities basis)
• However, the department may consider providing up to 75% of the grant offered as a prepayment under certain conditions
• Where an applicant is not eligible to reclaim VAT for their project, this will be recoupable

Timing of Scheme

The Scheme is now open and both streams will remain open until 1.00pm on Monday January 31st 2022. APPLICATIONS AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Procurement

All organisations in receipt of grant assistance must comply with public procurement guidelines:

Please see https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c23f5-public-procurement-guidelines-for-goods-and-services/

Acknowledgment of funding

Project promoters will be obliged to acknowledge the department's assistance in:

• Annual Financial Statements for each year the grant is in payment
• Where possible publicity material by inclusion of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media logo on their website / programmes / posters/. Social Media posts relating to performances should also refer to the Department’s funding and a written acknowledgement included in all reports/publications and other promotional materials.
• All Artists and crew members participating in events funded under this scheme must be informed that the event is funded under this Scheme.

• All applications for funding under this scheme received by the Department by the closing date will be assessed to ensure eligibility.
• Successful applicants for this scheme will receive an offer in principle of grant, subject to sufficient funding being available. Eligibility does not guarantee an offer of funding and grants may be offered for a lesser amount than sought in the application.
• Successful applicants will be required to sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) which will set out the relevant conditions of the grant. Failure to comply with all conditions may cause all or part of the grant to be withdrawn/withheld.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide a copy of their most recent set of audited accounts when returning the signed Service Level Agreement (SLA) in order for payment to be released.

Grantees will be required to comply with the highest standard of transparency and accountability as documented in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds.

The information provided in this document is intended to give applicants an understanding of the process by which applications for assistance are assessed and approved and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.

Freedom of Information Act 2014

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, details contained in applications and supporting documents may, on request, be released to third parties. If there is information contained in your application which is sensitive or confidential in nature, please identify it and provide an explanation as to why it should not be disclosed. If a request to release sensitive information under the legislation is received, you will be consulted before a decision is made whether or not to release the information. However, in the absence of the identification of particular information as sensitive, it could be disclosed without any consultation with you.

Audit

The Department reserves the right to carry out an audit of expenditure or conduct inspections from time to time. In addition, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General reserves the right to inspect documentation as per conditions in D/PER Circular 13/2014 as referred to under Section 8 above.

Publication

Details of individual awards will be published on the Departments website including, the name of the grantee; region in which the beneficiary is located; grant amount expressed as full amount in national currency; granting authority; date of granting.

Data Protection

For data protection in relation to the Department, please see information at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/5c605-data-protection/

Disclaimer

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media shall not be liable to the applicant or any other party for any loss, damage or costs of any nature resulting directly or indirectly from the application or its subject matter or the Department’s rejection of the application for any reason.

The Department, its servants or its agents shall not at any time in any circumstances be held responsible or liable for any matter connected with developing, planning, financing, building, operating, managing and/or administering individual projects or any matter connected with the part payment by the Department of invoices submitted by grantees.

Site Visits and Evaluation Survey

The Department may carry out site visits during the performance. You will also be required to provide regular reports on programme activity/output and complete an Evaluation Survey on completion of your project.

Further information may be requested

The Department reserves the right to request further information from you in order to assess your application if so required.

The application form is available below:

Applicants should ensure that their application form is completed in full and the Auditor’s Certificate/Letter signed by an Accountant is submitted with the application. A confirmation email will with your reference number.

To Note – Auditor’s Certificate/Letter signed by an Accountant must detail/confirm the following;

1. Details of Seasonal Musical Theatre/Pantomime live performance undertaken in at least two of the past 3 years (2017-2019) for a planned in-person live audience, to include name and location of event, duration of event and audience numbers;

2. That the business had VAT-exclusive turnover of €100,000 or above as a result of seasonal musical theatre/pantomime for EACH of at least two of the past 3 years (2017-2019) (must be same years as cited for performances);

3. That the business is planning to stage Seasonal Musical Theatre/Pantomime live performances in the Republic of Ireland during the period November and December 2021 and/or January 2022, planned for performance to an in-person live audience;

4. Confirmation of the Applicant’s VAT status;

5. Confirmation that the applicant has not been in an undertaking in difficulty (has not entered insolvency proceedings) on or before 31 December 2019;

6. Confirmation that the applicants is not in receipt of funding from another public body for the events to which the application pertains under this scheme.

7. Confirmation that there are no other revenue sources available to offset the costs for which the application is being made.

The above details must be noted on the Auditor’s Certificate/Letter signed by an Accountant in order for your application to be considered. All applications must include an Auditor’s Certificate/Letter signed by an Accountant. Accounts will not be accepted as part of the application form. Successful applicants will be required to submit a set of accounts with their signed SLA in order to draw down their grant.

The applicant should complete the application form and send as a single attachment containing the relevant supporting documentation to LPSSstrand2@tcagsm.gov.ie.

Please note that the application form (completed in full) and supporting documentation must be submitted as one file attachment in a readable format and must not be password protected.

The Department will only accept applications that are emailed to the above email address. An acknowledgement email and application reference number will issue on receipt of your application. Applications will not be checked for completeness until after the closing date. It is important that all applications are submitted in full.

Submission of false or misleading information to the Department at any stage is treated very seriously. Any organisation that does not comply with the terms and conditions of the ‘LPSS 2021 Strand 2 - Seasonal Musical Theatre/Pantomime’ may be subject to inspection, have their grant withdrawn, be required to repay all or part of a grant and/or be barred from making applications for a period of time. All serious breaches of the terms and conditions of the Scheme will be notified to the relevant authority.

Please note that the closing date for applications is strictly January 31st 2022 at 1pm (as per the Department’s time stamp on email).

We strongly advise applicants not to wait until the last day to submit applications in case you experience IT related problems.

We regret that applications cannot be accepted after the closing date

An appeal may be made by an applicant if the applicant considers that the process for reviewing their application was not adhered to.

The applicant must be in receipt of a decision email from the LPSS Strand 2 team in order to make an appeal. An appeal must be made within 5 working days of the date on the decision email.

Appeals submitted after this date will not be accepted.

See further information on the LPSS Strand 2 Appeals Process.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sports and Media (D/TCAGSM) confirms that it will respect the monitoring and reporting obligations laid down in section 4 of the Temporary Framework.

D/TCAGSM is the grant aiding Authority for the Scheme. The legal basis of the Scheme is the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 as amended by Statutory Instrument No. 403 of 29 September 2020. Grants are provided in accordance with the criteria set out above, subject to EU State Aid law.

Aid being provided towards this Scheme is subject to the provisions of the European Commission’s State Aid Temporary Framework as amended.

The Scheme will be operated under the EU’s COVID-19 Temporary Aid Framework (the ‘Temporary Framework’)*. To fall within the Temporary Framework its provisions must be complied with in all cases and in all respects in so far as they apply to State Aid for a particular applicant. While D/TCAGSM has a primary responsibility to comply with those requirements and other State Aid rules, compliance also depends on the co-operation of applicants, including their adherence to these Guidelines, their candour in making applications to us and, ultimately, their compliance with the terms and conditions attaching to the grant, if successful.

A consolidated version of the Temporary Framework as of 28 January 2021 is available at: https://ec.europa.eu/competition-policy/state-aid/latest-news_en

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that it is aware of any amendments to the Temporary Framework and applicants are free (and encouraged) to take legal advice as appropriate on how State aid rules apply in their particular situation. Please note that it is a requirement of the Temporary Framework that the aid is granted no later than 31 December 2021 (subject to any extension by the EU Commission). Aid measures developed under the Temporary Framework is subject to the Standstill Obligation in compliance with Article 108(3) TFEU. This means that no aid can be granted or paid out before notification and approval by Commission.

Applicants will be required to provide details of grants already received under other Temporary Frameworks as part of the application process.

For all queries please email: LPSSstrand2@tcagsm.gov.ie