The Arts Council’s Creative Places Programme in Ireland

Deadline: 12-Feb-2026

The Arts Council’s Creative Places programme invests in towns, villages, suburbs, and rural areas with limited access to the arts. It supports community-led, inclusive projects that engage local residents, promote diversity, and deliver cultural, social, and economic benefits through creative participation.

Overview

The Creative Places programme is designed to expand arts access in underrepresented areas across Ireland. It emphasizes inclusion, diversity, and socially engaged arts practice, ensuring that local communities are actively involved in shaping creative activities. Projects are expected to build on existing cultural strengths, challenge barriers to participation, and foster long-term ownership and engagement among residents.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Legally constituted arts organisations

• Community-development organisations

• Organisations based in the Republic of Ireland (external applicants may be considered if benefits to Ireland are demonstrated)

Applicants must be organisations, not individuals. The lead applicant is responsible for grant management, compliance, and partnership coordination.

Funding Award Strands

The programme offers three main funding strands tailored to different stages of project development:

1. Creative Places Seed Award

   • Supports multi-annual projects over three years

   • Covers appointment of a coordinator and programme delivery

   • Funding up to €335,000

2. Creative Places Roots Award Phase 2

   • Supports organisations entering the next development stage

   • Two-year funding of up to €180,000

3. Creative Places Growth Award Phase 2

   • Supports established Creative Places to expand and deepen impact

   • Two-year funding of up to €180,000

Why It Matters

The programme aims to:

• Increase access to arts in underserved areas

• Strengthen community development through creative participation

• Encourage socially engaged and collaborative arts practice

• Generate measurable social, cultural, and economic benefits

• Build sustainable creative infrastructure and networks

How It Works / How to Apply

1. Form a Partnership: Establish a consortium including local authorities, community partners, and arts organisations. Ensure at least 30% of total project costs are secured through cash or in-kind contributions.

2. Develop a Proposal: Demonstrate alignment with socially engaged arts and community-development principles. Include sustainability planning, measurable social impact, and clear project objectives.

3. Submit Application: Ensure the lead organisation meets eligibility requirements and manages compliance obligations.

4. Assessment Process: Applications are evaluated on public engagement, community participation, social impact, partnership strength, and sustainability.

5. Award and Implementation: Successful applicants receive funding and implement the project in collaboration with partners.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to form a meaningful partnership or secure required contributions

• Submitting proposals without clear community engagement strategies

• Lack of measurable objectives or sustainability planning

• Overlooking alignment with socially engaged arts and community-development principles

FAQs

1. Who can lead a Creative Places application? Only legally constituted organisations, not individuals.
2. Can funding support projects outside Ireland? Proposals from outside Ireland may be considered if they clearly benefit the arts in Ireland.
3. What are the funding amounts? Seed Award up to €335,000; Roots and Growth Awards up to €180,000.
4. How long is the funding period? Seed Award: three years; Roots and Growth Awards: two years.
5. Are partnerships mandatory? Yes, applicants must form consortia with local authorities, community partners, and arts organisations.
6. What percentage of project costs must partners contribute? Minimum 30% in cash or in-kind contributions.
7. What makes an application strong? Strong community engagement, socially engaged arts practice, sustainability planning, measurable social impact, and strategic partnerships.

Conclusion

The Creative Places programme strengthens Ireland’s cultural landscape by supporting community-led arts initiatives in underserved areas. Through inclusive, socially engaged projects, it fosters local participation, cultural development, and sustainable social and economic benefits. The programme reinforces the Arts Council’s commitment to expanding access to arts and ensuring that creativity becomes an integral part of everyday community life.

For more information, visit The Arts Council.