Apply for Dance Artist Residency Scheme (Ireland)

Deadline: 19-Feb-2026

The Arts Council Dance Artist Residency Scheme supports dance artists and collectives across Ireland, offering residencies to foster artistic development, collaboration, and community engagement. Two funding strands provide up to €25,000 for full residencies and €10,000 for short-term residencies, supporting activities like creation, performance, workshops, mentoring, and local arts programming.

The Arts Council’s Dance Artist Residency Scheme aims to strengthen Ireland’s national network of dance artists, support creative development, and enhance dance provision within host organisations and communities. The programme promotes structured collaboration, ensuring benefits for both artists and the local arts ecosystem.

Scheme Objectives

• Support professional dance artists and collectives in Ireland

• Facilitate collaborative residencies with local authorities, arts centres, organisations, and festivals

• Enhance artistic development, including creation of new work and professional growth

• Strengthen community engagement, including workshops, mentorship, and minority-ethnic or disability group inclusion

• Expand dance provision and programming across Ireland

Funding Strands

Strand 1: Full Residencies

• Maximum award: €25,000

• Requires support from at least one local authority and one arts centre, organisation, or festival

• Focus on extended residencies enabling deep artistic engagement and community collaboration

Strand 2: Short-Term Residencies

• Maximum award: €10,000

• Requires support from an arts centre, organisation, or festival

• Designed for shorter-term engagements that still foster creation, performance, or outreach

Who Can Apply

• Professional dance artists and collectives

• Local authorities in certain cases proposing a residency

• Must generally be resident in the Republic of Ireland, though non-resident applications may be considered if the project benefits Irish arts

• Ineligible: Artists already employed full-time by organisations receiving Strategic Funding

Eligible Residency Activities

Residency activities may include:

• Artistic creation and performance

• Collaboration with other artists or collectives

• Programming events and supporting local arts organisations

• Delivering workshops in schools, youth settings, or community groups

• Mentoring emerging artists

• Engaging minority-ethnic or disability groups

• Advising on professional dance programming

• Promotional support for dance activities

Activities must occur during 2026/2027.

Ineligible Uses of Funding

• Major capital purchases or equipment

• Core or ongoing organisational costs

• Profit-making or commercial activities

• Competitions

• Projects that have already begun

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Online application before Thursday 19 February 2026

• Up-to-date CV of the artist(s)

• Detailed budget template, showing income, expenditure, and in-kind contributions

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining:

  • Work programme

  • Roles and responsibilities of all partners

  • Resources provided by host organisations

Additional documentation may be required for:

• Disability access costs

• Engagement with children or vulnerable adults

• Inclusion of animals in artistic work

Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible. Once submitted, applications cannot be amended.

How Applications Are Assessed

Applications are reviewed competitively and evaluated on:

• Artistic merit of the proposed work

• Alignment with scheme objectives, including community and collaborative impact

• Feasibility of delivering the residency, including budget and partner contributions

• Quality and clarity of supporting documentation

Tips for Applicants

• Clearly identify the strand you are applying for

• Ensure letters of support from required partners are included

• Demonstrate community engagement and collaboration

• Include complete and accurate budget with all income and expenditure accounted for

• Follow Arts Council safeguarding and access policies when relevant

FAQ

1. Can non-Irish residents apply?
Yes, if the residency clearly benefits dance in the Republic of Ireland.

2. Can I apply for both strands?
No, applicants must choose one strand and clearly indicate this in their application.

3. Are part-time or short residencies eligible?
Yes, Strand 2 supports short-term residencies with up to €10,000 in funding.

4. Can the funding be used for equipment or capital purchases?
No, funding is restricted to residency activities, excluding major capital purchases or ongoing core costs.

5. What supporting documents are mandatory?

• CV of the artist(s)

• Detailed budget template

• Memorandum of Understanding with partners

• Additional documentation for disability access, vulnerable groups, or animals if relevant

6. Can funding be used for performances and workshops?
Yes, funding can support performance, workshops, mentoring, and other outreach activities as part of the residency.

7. How will applications be assessed?
Applications are evaluated on artistic merit, alignment with objectives, feasibility, and quality of supporting materials.

Conclusion

The Dance Artist Residency Scheme is an opportunity for professional dance artists, collectives, and certain local authorities to develop their practice, engage communities, and strengthen dance provision across Ireland. With two funding strands and structured support, the programme ensures residencies benefit both artists and their wider communities while fostering collaboration and artistic growth.

For more information, visit The Arts Council.