Deadline: 17-Apr-2026
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is inviting applications for its Emerging Artist Bursaries 2026, offering €2,000 to support individual emerging artists in developing and creating new work between June and December 2026. The bursary is open to artists across multiple artforms who live in, practice in, or are originally from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
About the Bursary
The Emerging Artist Bursaries aim to support artists at an important early stage of their careers by helping them develop their practice and create new work.
This funding is intended for artists who are still building their profile and need support to progress professionally.
Funding Amount
Successful applicants will receive:
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€2,000
Project Period
The bursary supports work to be developed during:
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June to December 2026
Eligible Artforms
The bursary supports a wide range of disciplines, including:
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Architecture
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Circus
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Craft (designers and makers)
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Dance
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Film
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Music
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Opera
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Spectacle
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Street art
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Traditional arts
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Visual arts
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to individual artists who:
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Live in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, or
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Practice in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, or
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Are originally from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
Who is Considered an Emerging Artist?
The bursary is specifically for emerging artists, meaning those who:
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Are at an early stage of their career
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Have some experience in their field
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Have not yet built a strong or widely recognised reputation
Applicants must clearly explain why they consider themselves an emerging artist in the application.
Who is Not Eligible?
The following applicants are not eligible:
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Employees of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
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Artists who have previously received an Emerging Artist Bursary from the council
Also:
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You cannot apply for the same activity if it has already received funding from the council within the last 12 months
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However, you may apply for a different project even if you received council funding during that period
Why This Opportunity Matters
This is a useful opportunity for early-career artists because it offers:
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Flexible support for new work creation
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Recognition from a local public arts funder
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Eligibility across many disciplines
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A manageable grant for artists building momentum in their practice
FAQs
1. How much funding is available?
Each selected artist will receive €2,000.
2. Who can apply?
Individual emerging artists who live in, work in, or are originally from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown can apply.
3. What kinds of art are eligible?
The bursary supports many artforms, including visual arts, literature, music, film, theatre, dance, craft, architecture, and more.
4. Can previous bursary recipients apply again?
No. Artists who have already received an Emerging Artist Bursary from the council are not eligible.
5. Can council employees apply?
No. Employees of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council cannot apply.
6. Can I apply if I recently received other council funding?
Yes, but not for the same activity if it was funded by the council in the last 12 months. A different project may still be eligible.
Conclusion
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Emerging Artist Bursaries 2026 offer a valuable €2,000 boost for early-career artists looking to create new work and strengthen their practice.
For more information, visit Comhairle Contae County Council.
