Deadline: 28-May-2026
The Festivals Investment Scheme 2027 Round 1 is an Ireland-based funding program supporting small-to-mid-scale professional arts festivals. It provides grants of up to €45,000 for festivals running between January and June 2027 in the Republic of Ireland, with a focus on artistic excellence, audience engagement, inclusion, and strong festival management.
Overview
The Festivals Investment Scheme 2027 Round 1 is a funding initiative by Ireland’s arts funding system designed to support professional small-to-mid-scale arts festivals.
It aims to strengthen the Irish cultural ecosystem by enabling festivals that deliver high-quality artistic programming, audience participation, and community engagement.
Key Objectives
The scheme supports festivals that contribute to:
Artistic Development
- High-quality and innovative arts programming
- Strong artistic vision and creative direction
- Alignment with national arts priorities
Audience Engagement
- Increased public participation in the arts
- Community and audience development strategies
- Interactive and participatory programming
Sector Development
- Strengthening festival infrastructure and ecosystems
- Supporting collaboration between artists and organisations
- Encouraging sustainable festival management
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Inclusive programming and access
- Representation of diverse communities
- Embedding EDI principles in organisational practice
Funding Structure
The scheme provides tiered funding based on application scale:
- Band A: up to €10,000
- Band B: up to €25,000
- Band C: up to €45,000
Funding is designed to support small-to-mid-scale professional festival delivery.
Eligible Festivals and Activities
Funding supports festivals that:
- Deliver arts-focused festival programmes
- Engage professional artists and creative practitioners
- Operate within a defined cultural or artistic theme
- Include audience participation or engagement activities
- Demonstrate community relevance and cultural impact
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
- Organisations delivering arts festival programmes
- Professional festival organisers
- Non-profit or cultural organisations (festival-led focus required)
Eligibility Conditions
- Festival must take place in the Republic of Ireland
- Festival must begin between 1 January and 30 June 2027
- Main focus must be arts-based activity
Who is NOT Eligible?
Applications will not be accepted from:
- Individuals applying in a personal capacity
- Commercial organisations outside arts-festival remit
- Organisations better suited to other funding schemes
- Festivals held outside the Republic of Ireland
- Festivals primarily focused on competitive events
Key Assessment Priorities
Applications are evaluated based on:
1. Artistic Quality
- Clear artistic vision
- Evidence of excellence in programming
- Coherence between concept and delivery
2. Festival Management
- Strong organisational capacity
- Financial planning and feasibility
- Proven delivery experience
3. Audience Development
- Strategies to attract and retain audiences
- Opportunities for participation and engagement
- Outreach to diverse communities
4. Collaboration and Partnerships
- Engagement with artists and cultural partners
- Integration with local cultural infrastructure
- Community-based collaboration
5. Local Cultural Impact
- Support for local artists and creative development
- Contribution to regional arts ecosystems
- Alignment with local cultural identity
6. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Inclusive programming practices
- Representation of diverse voices
- Accessible festival design
Why the Scheme Matters
The Festivals Investment Scheme plays a key role in:
- Strengthening Ireland’s arts festival sector
- Supporting professional cultural programming
- Expanding public access to the arts
- Encouraging regional cultural development
- Promoting diversity in artistic expression
- Sustaining festival ecosystems across Ireland
It ensures that festivals are not only artistically strong but also socially inclusive and community-driven.
How the Funding Works (Process Overview)
- Festival organisation prepares application
- Proposal outlines artistic vision and programme
- Budget and management plan are submitted
- Application is evaluated against priority criteria
- Funding awarded based on band category (A, B, or C)
- Festival is delivered within the eligible timeframe
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak or unclear artistic vision
- Lack of audience engagement strategy
- Poor financial planning or unrealistic budgets
- Ignoring EDI (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) requirements
- Applying outside eligible dates or location
- Choosing projects better suited to other funding schemes
Tips for a Strong Application
- Develop a clear and compelling artistic concept
- Show evidence of audience engagement planning
- Highlight collaboration with artists and communities
- Demonstrate strong financial and operational planning
- Integrate inclusion and accessibility strategies
- Align festival goals with local cultural needs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Festivals Investment Scheme 2027?
It is an Ireland-based funding program supporting small-to-mid-scale professional arts festivals.
2. How much funding can be received?
Funding ranges from €10,000 to €45,000, depending on the application band.
3. Who can apply?
Arts festival organisations delivering programmes in the Republic of Ireland.
4. When must festivals take place?
Festivals must begin between 1 January and 30 June 2027.
5. Are individuals eligible?
No, individuals cannot apply. Only organisations are eligible.
6. What types of festivals are supported?
Arts-focused festivals involving professional artistic programming and audience engagement.
7. What are the main evaluation criteria?
Artistic quality, audience engagement, financial management, collaboration, and inclusion.
Conclusion
The Festivals Investment Scheme 2027 Round 1 is a key cultural funding initiative supporting Ireland’s professional arts festival ecosystem. By prioritising artistic excellence, audience engagement, and inclusivity, it enables festivals to grow sustainably while strengthening local and national cultural life.
For more information, visit The Arts Council.