Expressions of Interest (EOI) Programming and Delivery of Culture Night Festival 2026
DEADLINE: 3PM, JUNE 5TH 2026
Introduction
Waterford City & County Council Arts Service invites Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced arts organisations, producers, festival coordinators, or cultural event management teams to programme and deliver Culture Night Festival 2026 in Waterford City on Friday 18 September 2026.
Culture Night is a national annual cultural celebration providing free access to arts, heritage, and cultural experiences. The Waterford City programme should present a vibrant evening arts taster experience consisting of a broad range of safe, accessible, well-managed, and engaging events and performances across the city.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the programming, coordination, and safe delivery of the festival in consultation with the Arts Service of Waterford City & County Council.
Scope of Programme
• Take place on Friday 18th September 2026
• Consist primarily of free public cultural events within Waterford City
• Include a broad variety of arts and cultural activity
• Present safe, family-friendly, fully risk-assessed, and accessible events
• Demonstrate strong event management and public safety planning
• Include appropriate stewarding, crowd management, and security measures where required
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation and event management guidelines
• Encourage participation from artists, venues, and cultural organisations
• Promote inclusion, diversity, and public engagement
• Coordinate programme scheduling and event communications
Events taking place outside Waterford City may be included in the published programme; however, no financial subvention will be provided for these events.
Budget
The total available budget is €12,000 inclusive of all costs and VAT where applicable.
The budget proposal should include provision for:
• Programming and artist coordination
• Stage hire and technical infrastructure
• PA and sound requirements
• Event production costs
• Marketing, publicity, and PR
• Security personnel and stewarding
• Crowd management and public safety measures
• Insurance
• Health and safety planning and risk assessment
• Supplier consultations and coordination
• Consultation and liaison with the Arts Service of Waterford City & County Council
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
• Be tax compliant
• Be a registered sole trader, partnership, or limited company
• Hold appropriate public liability insurance and any other relevant insurance cover
• Demonstrate the organisational and financial capacity to deliver the programme
• Demonstrate the ability to engage and pay artists, technicians, suppliers, and contractors within required timeframes
Additional Conditions
Waterford City & County Council reserves the right not to appoint from this Expression of Interest process if submissions received are deemed unsuitable or do not demonstrate sufficient capacity to deliver the programme to the required standard. In such circumstances, the Council reserves the right to directly appoint an experienced and reliable contractor to deliver Culture Night Festival 2026.
Assessment Criteria and Scoring
Assessment Criteria
Description
Marks
Quality and Diversity of Programme
Quality, creativity, accessibility, and diversity of the proposed programme.
250
Capacity to Deliver a Safe and Professionally Managed Event
Ability to manage and deliver a safe public event.
200
Health, Safety and Security Planning
Quality of risk assessment, stewarding, crowd management, and security planning.
200
Relevant Experience and Track Record
Previous experience delivering festivals or public events.
150
Value for Money
Effectiveness and realism of the proposed budget.
100
Marketing and Audience Development
Approach to marketing, PR, and audience engagement.
50
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Ability to work with Council, artists, venues, and suppliers.
50
Total Marks
1000
Expressions of Interest should be submitted by 3PM, JUNE 5TH 2026
The awarding of the contract will be via a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the successful applicant and Waterford City & County Council.
A Service Level Agreement is a formal agreement that outlines the roles, responsibilities, deliverables, timelines, reporting requirements, and performance standards expected of both parties. It provides a clear framework for how the project or service will be managed and delivered, ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective communication throughout the duration of the agreement.
Conor Nolan
Waterford City & County Council Arts Service conornolan@waterfordcouncil.ie
Late submissions may not be considered.
EOI - Programming and Delivery of Culture Night Festival 2026
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Expressions of Interest (EOI)
Programming and Delivery of Culture Night Festival 2026
DEADLINE: 3PM, JUNE 5TH 2026
Introduction
Waterford City & County Council Arts Service invites Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced arts organisations, producers, festival coordinators, or cultural event management teams to programme and deliver Culture Night Festival 2026 in Waterford City on Friday 18 September 2026.
Culture Night is a national annual cultural celebration providing free access to arts, heritage, and cultural experiences. The Waterford City programme should present a vibrant evening arts taster experience consisting of a broad range of safe, accessible, well-managed, and engaging events and performances across the city.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the programming, coordination, and safe delivery of the festival in consultation with the Arts Service of Waterford City & County Council.
Scope of Programme
• Take place on Friday 18th September 2026
• Consist primarily of free public cultural events within Waterford City
• Include a broad variety of arts and cultural activity
• Present safe, family-friendly, fully risk-assessed, and accessible events
• Demonstrate strong event management and public safety planning
• Include appropriate stewarding, crowd management, and security measures where required
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation and event management guidelines
• Encourage participation from artists, venues, and cultural organisations
• Promote inclusion, diversity, and public engagement
• Coordinate programme scheduling and event communications
Events taking place outside Waterford City may be included in the published programme; however, no financial subvention will be provided for these events.
Budget
The total available budget is €12,000 inclusive of all costs and VAT where applicable.
The budget proposal should include provision for:
• Programming and artist coordination
• Stage hire and technical infrastructure
• PA and sound requirements
• Event production costs
• Marketing, publicity, and PR
• Security personnel and stewarding
• Crowd management and public safety measures
• Insurance
• Health and safety planning and risk assessment
• Supplier consultations and coordination
• Consultation and liaison with the Arts Service of Waterford City & County Council
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
• Be tax compliant
• Be a registered sole trader, partnership, or limited company
• Hold appropriate public liability insurance and any other relevant insurance cover
• Demonstrate the organisational and financial capacity to deliver the programme
• Demonstrate the ability to engage and pay artists, technicians, suppliers, and contractors within required timeframes
Additional Conditions
Waterford City & County Council reserves the right not to appoint from this Expression of Interest process if submissions received are deemed unsuitable or do not demonstrate sufficient capacity to deliver the programme to the required standard. In such circumstances, the Council reserves the right to directly appoint an experienced and reliable contractor to deliver Culture Night Festival 2026.
Assessment Criteria and Scoring
Assessment Criteria
Description
Marks
Quality and Diversity of Programme
Quality, creativity, accessibility, and diversity of the proposed programme.
250
Capacity to Deliver a Safe and Professionally Managed Event
Ability to manage and deliver a safe public event.
200
Health, Safety and Security Planning
Quality of risk assessment, stewarding, crowd management, and security planning.
200
Relevant Experience and Track Record
Previous experience delivering festivals or public events.
150
Value for Money
Effectiveness and realism of the proposed budget.
100
Marketing and Audience Development
Approach to marketing, PR, and audience engagement.
50
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Ability to work with Council, artists, venues, and suppliers.
50
Total Marks
1000
Expressions of Interest should be submitted by 3PM, JUNE 5TH 2026
The awarding of the contract will be via a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the successful applicant and Waterford City & County Council.
A Service Level Agreement is a formal agreement that outlines the roles, responsibilities, deliverables, timelines, reporting requirements, and performance standards expected of both parties. It provides a clear framework for how the project or service will be managed and delivered, ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective communication throughout the duration of the agreement.
Conor Nolan
Waterford City & County Council Arts Service
conornolan@waterfordcouncil.ie
Late submissions may not be considered.
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