Call for Applications: Festival Events Support Scheme (Ireland)

Deadline: 21-Jan-2026

The Cavan County Council Arts Festival Events Support Scheme provides grants of up to €4,500 to support festivals delivering high-quality arts programming in County Cavan. The scheme funds artist-led, innovative, and audience-focused festivals taking place in 2026, with support available across three funding bands based on festival scale and track record.

Overview

The Festival Events Support Scheme is a local arts funding programme delivered by Cavan County Council Arts to strengthen festival-based arts activity across County Cavan.

The scheme supports festivals that deliver high-quality artistic programming, develop artists and art forms, and engage both existing and new audiences. Funding focuses on arts-led interventions within festivals rather than general event costs.

The programme encourages innovation, accessibility, and artistic excellence while contributing to the cultural life of County Cavan.

Core Aims of the Scheme

The Festival Events Support Scheme is designed to:

• Support high-quality arts programming within festivals

• Develop artists, creative producers, and art forms

• Encourage festivals to reach new and diverse audiences

• Strengthen Cavan’s cultural ecosystem

• Promote innovative and multidisciplinary artistic practice

Funding Bands and Grant Amounts

The scheme offers three funding bands based on the scale, duration, and track record of the festival.

Band A: Small or Emerging Festivals

• Funding of up to €1,000

• For arts interventions within:

  • Community festivals

  • New festivals

  • Specialised small arts festivals

Band B: Medium-Sized Festivals

• Funding of up to €2,500

• For arts interventions within festivals:

  • Running for two years or more

  • With an established but growing audience

Band C: Established Festivals

• Funding of up to €4,500

• For arts interventions within festivals:

  • Running for three years or more

  • With a strong artistic and delivery track record

Eligible Festivals and Artistic Focus

The scheme supports a wide range of festival types, provided there is a strong arts programme.

Eligible festivals include:

• Specialist arts festivals focused on:

  • Music

  • Literature

  • Theatre

  • Dance

  • Multidisciplinary practice

• Community festivals with robust arts programming, such as:

  • Exhibitions

  • Workshops

  • Artist talks

  • Installations

  • Live performances

• Innovative, arts-based festivals that enrich cultural life in County Cavan and create opportunities for artists and audiences

All supported festivals must prioritise artistic quality and public engagement.

What the Scheme Funds

Funding may be used for a wide range of arts-related costs.

Eligible costs include:

• Artist fees and artist materials

• Artistic programming costs across all artforms

• Venue hire and technical production costs

• Marketing, promotion, and audience development

• Accessibility measures to support inclusive participation

• Insurance and compliance-related costs

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements.

Applicant Criteria

Eligible applicants include:

• Festival committees

• Individual artists

• Creative producers

• Arts organisations

• Community groups

Applicants must be based in County Cavan.

Event Requirements

• The festival or event must take place in County Cavan

• The event must be delivered during 2026

• All applications must include at least one artist

• Appropriate insurance must be in place

Why This Scheme Matters

Festivals play a vital role in developing audiences and supporting artists.

This scheme matters because it:

• Supports artistic excellence at local festival level

• Encourages innovation and experimentation in festival programming

• Creates paid opportunities for artists

• Strengthens community engagement through the arts

• Enhances the cultural profile of County Cavan

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Required Application Documents

Applications must include the following:

• An organisation or applicant profile

• A detailed event description with a provisional artistic programme

• A project budget in Word or Excel format

• Details of other confirmed or pending funding sources, if applicable

Application Process

1. Identify the appropriate funding band based on festival scale and history

2. Develop a high-quality arts programme with clear artistic outcomes

3. Secure artist involvement and confirm programming details

4. Prepare a realistic budget showing value for money

5. Ensure insurance, health and safety, and accessibility requirements are met

6. Submit the complete application by the specified deadline

Payment Structure and Grant Conditions

• Funding is paid in two or more instalments

• All grant payments must be drawn down by December 2026

• Recipients must comply with all health, safety, and accessibility standards

• Cavan Arts and Cavan County Council logos must be used on all promotional materials

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without confirmed artist involvement

• Submitting incomplete budgets or missing documentation

• Selecting the wrong funding band

• Underestimating compliance and insurance requirements

• Failing to acknowledge funders in promotional materials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum grant available?

The maximum funding available is €4,500 under Band C for established festivals.

2. Can new festivals apply?

Yes. New festivals and small community festivals can apply under Band A for funding of up to €1,000.

3. Do festivals have to be arts-only?

No. Community festivals are eligible if they include a strong arts programme.

4. Are marketing costs eligible?

Yes. Marketing, promotion, and audience development costs related to the arts programme are eligible.

5. Is artist involvement mandatory?

Yes. All applications must include at least one artist as part of the festival programme.

6. When must funded events take place?

All supported festivals must take place in County Cavan during 2026.

7. When must grant funding be drawn down?

All funding must be claimed and drawn down by December 2026.

Conclusion

The Festival Events Support Scheme from Cavan County Council Arts provides targeted funding to strengthen arts-led festivals across County Cavan.

By supporting high-quality programming, artist development, and audience engagement, the scheme helps festivals thrive while enriching the county’s cultural life in 2026.

For more information, visit Cavan County Council Arts.