Offaly Arts Office opens 2026 grants and announces information clinics

OFFALY County Council Arts Office is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Arts Grants, Commissions and Bursaries, offering vital support to artists, communities, and festivals across the county. These schemes aim to foster creativity, encourage participation in the arts, and strengthen Offaly’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Available Schemes Include:

• Arts Act Grants – For voluntary arts organisations, schools, drama and musical groups, town bands, and community groups planning arts events or projects in Offaly.

• Festival Arts Scheme – For festivals taking place in Offaly that are either dedicated arts festivals or have a strong professional arts element.

• Professional Artists Support Award – Assisting professional artists in developing their practice across various disciplines.

• Youth Arts Commission – Inviting proposals from professional artists to collaborate with youth organisations on creative projects for ages 13–25.

• Birr Writers Residency Award – Providing a retreat for professional writers at Tin Jug Studio in Birr.

• Cowhouse Residency Bursary – Offering visual artists an opportunity to work in a unique rural setting.

All schemes are competitive, and applicants are encouraged to submit innovative and ambitious proposals that deliver maximum impact within the community.

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Deadlines for Applications:

• 12 January 2026 – Arts Act Grant & Professional Artist Support Award, Cowhouse Residency Bursary

• 26 January 2026 – Festival Arts Scheme, Birr Writers Residency & Youth Arts Commission

Applications are online via submit.com. Full details, guidelines, and eligibility criteria are available at: www.offaly.ie/c/arts-grants-commissions-and-bursaries

Information Clinics:

To assist applicants, the Arts Office will host two Grants Information Clinics:

• Saturday, 29 November 2025 at 11:00 AM – Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore (in-person)

• Thursday, 4 December 2025 at 7:00 PM – Online session

These clinics will provide practical guidance on the application process, eligibility criteria, and tips for crafting strong proposals. All are welcome - register here: https://submit.link/4kG

For queries or to request forms in Irish, email arts@offalycoco.ie

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