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Applications open for Joan Denise Moriarty Award (Ireland)

Deadline: 12-Mar-2026

The Joan Denise Moriarty Award provides funding of up to €5,000 to support professional dance training for individual dancers.

The award prioritizes artistic excellence, feasibility, and alignment with professional training goals, with a particular emphasis on ballet while remaining open to all dance genres.

Applicants must be over 18 and ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland, and must be undertaking or accepted into a recognized full-time vocational or undergraduate dance programme.

The Joan Denise Moriarty Award, administered by Arts Council, supports dancers in achieving their professional potential through advanced training.

The award funds national or international dance training at reputable institutions and is open to individual dancers only.

Purpose of the Award

The award is designed to:

  • Support professional dance training at undergraduate or vocational level

  • Develop artistic excellence and technical mastery

  • Invest in high-potential dancers

  • Strengthen Ireland’s professional dance sector

While ballet is a priority focus, dancers from all genres are eligible to apply.

Funding Details

Maximum award amount: €5,000

Funding supports costs directly related to professional training.

Eligible expenses include:

  • Tuition and programme fees

  • Travel costs

  • Accommodation

  • Subsistence

  • Materials and resources

  • Limited equipment supporting artistic development

Additional Support:

Applicants with disabilities may apply for disability access costs, which are assessed separately and do not reduce the core €5,000 award limit.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Be over 18 years of age

  2. Be ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland

  3. Be currently undertaking or formally accepted into a reputable undergraduate-level or full-time vocational dance programme

  4. Apply as an individual (organizations are not eligible)

Important:

  • Short-term dance courses are not eligible

  • Applicants living outside Ireland may be considered if they demonstrate clear benefit to the Irish arts sector

What Types of Training Are Eligible?

Eligible programmes must be:

  • Undergraduate-level professional dance programmes

  • Full-time vocational dance training

  • Delivered by reputable institutions nationally or internationally

The award does not support recreational or short-term workshops.

Assessment Criteria

All eligible applications are assessed competitively by the Arts Council through a structured evaluation process.

Assessment stages include:

  1. Eligibility screening

  2. Professional assessment

  3. Peer panel review

  4. Final decision-making

Applications are evaluated based on:

  • Demonstrated artistic potential

  • Quality of previous practice

  • Ambition and clarity of the proposal

  • Feasibility and practicality of completing the training

  • Alignment with the objectives of the award

Why This Award Matters

The Joan Denise Moriarty Award is important because it:

  • Reduces financial barriers to professional dance training

  • Supports emerging professional dancers

  • Encourages international training opportunities

  • Strengthens Ireland’s dance ecosystem

  • Promotes artistic excellence

By investing in individual dancers, the award contributes to the long-term development of the Irish performing arts sector.

How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

  • Verify age and residency status

  • Confirm formal acceptance into an eligible programme

Step 2: Prepare Supporting Materials

Applicants must submit:

  • Full CV or professional biography

  • Video samples of relevant performance work

  • Formal confirmation of acceptance or attendance from the chosen institution

Step 3: Develop a Clear Proposal

Your proposal should:

  • Explain why the training is important for your artistic development

  • Demonstrate alignment with award priorities

  • Outline realistic training objectives

  • Provide a clear and justified budget

Step 4: Submit via Online Portal

Applications must be submitted before the stated deadline through the Arts Council’s online funding portal.

Incomplete or late applications will not be assessed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without formal acceptance documentation

  • Submitting poor-quality or unrelated video samples

  • Providing an unclear or unrealistic budget

  • Proposing short-term or ineligible courses

  • Failing to explain how the training benefits the Irish arts sector

Strong applications clearly demonstrate artistic ambition, readiness for professional training, and long-term impact.

Key Definitions

Professional Dance Training: Structured, full-time training aimed at preparing dancers for professional careers.

Vocational Programme: Career-focused training delivered by recognized institutions.

Disability Access Costs: Additional expenses required to ensure equal participation for artists with disabilities.

Ordinarily Resident: Legally residing in the Republic of Ireland on a regular and established basis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding can I receive?

Applicants may request up to €5,000. Additional disability access costs may be considered separately.

2. Is the award only for ballet dancers?

No. Ballet is prioritized, but applicants from all dance genres are eligible.

3. Can I apply if I am studying abroad?

Yes, if you are ordinarily resident in Ireland and can demonstrate how the training benefits the Irish arts sector.

4. Are short-term dance workshops eligible?

No. The award supports undergraduate-level or full-time vocational programmes only.

5. Do I need proof of acceptance before applying?

Yes. Formal confirmation from the institution is mandatory.

6. Can organizations apply?

No. The award is open to individual dancers only.

7. What makes a strong application?

Clear artistic vision, strong performance evidence, realistic budgeting, and alignment with professional training goals.

Conclusion

The Joan Denise Moriarty Award offers up to €5,000 to support high-potential dancers pursuing professional training at recognized institutions.

By focusing on artistic excellence, feasibility, and long-term development, the award strengthens Ireland’s professional dance landscape.

Eligible dancers who demonstrate ambition, preparedness, and clear artistic goals are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline.

For more information, visit The Arts Council.