Deadline: 09-Jan-2026
Cork County Council’s Artist in the Community Scheme offers grants of up to €3,000 to support collaborations between professional artists and communities across Cork County. The program promotes exploratory, process-focused creative engagement, encouraging partnerships that enhance artistic participation and community connection.
Overview
The Artist in the Community Scheme provides a platform for professional artists to work directly with communities on projects that foster meaningful creative engagement. The scheme is designed to encourage experimentation, learning, and collaboration, with the potential to develop larger projects under the Creative Communities Scheme in the following year.
Eligible Participants
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Artists: Practising professional artists from any discipline
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Community Groups: Communities of place, interest, or practice, including:
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Partnerships: Applications must clearly demonstrate a committed collaboration between the artist(s) and the community group
Eligible Activities
Projects must:
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Take place within Cork County in 2026
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Be process-focused and exploratory rather than outcome-driven
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Include workshops, sessions, or other interactive artistic activities
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Cover any art form, including architecture, circus, dance, film, digital media, theatre, literature, opera, traditional arts, and visual arts, alone or in combination
Ineligible Activities
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Projects with predetermined outcomes or fixed end products (e.g., rehearsing a pre-planned play or following a set template for visual arts)
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Activities that have already taken place
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Multiple applications per artist or community group
Funding Details
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Maximum Grant: €3,000 per project
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Purpose: Facilitate early-stage artistic engagement and partnership development
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Supports meaningful community access to arts and creative learning
Application Requirements
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Clearly identify the partnership between artist(s) and community group
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Provide a programme of proposed activities with agreed objectives
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Demonstrate the anticipated benefits and high-quality artistic outcomes
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Include a child safeguarding policy if relevant
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Ensure adequate insurance coverage, as Cork County Council does not accept liability for project activities
Why It Matters
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Encourages collaboration between artists and diverse communities
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Strengthens creative participation and engagement in Cork County
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Promotes exploration, experimentation, and learning in the arts
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Lays groundwork for potential future projects under larger funding schemes
Tips for Applicants
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Highlight the partnership and collaborative planning process
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Emphasise the exploratory and process-driven nature of the project
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Show clear community benefits and opportunities for participant engagement
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Ensure compliance with safeguarding and insurance requirements
FAQ
1. Who can apply? – Professional artists and community groups based in Cork County.
2. What is the maximum funding? – €3,000 per project.
3. What types of projects are eligible? – Process-focused, collaborative creative activities in any art form.
4. Can projects be part of a pre-planned performance or fixed template? – No, the scheme prioritises exploratory engagement.
5. When must projects take place? – All projects must be completed in 2026.
6. Is a partnership between an artist and a community group required? – Yes, applications must clearly demonstrate a committed collaboration.
7. Are insurance and safeguarding policies required? – Child safeguarding policies are required if relevant, and adequate insurance coverage is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
The Artist in the Community Scheme provides an opportunity for professional artists and community groups to collaborate creatively, fostering engagement, experimentation, and participation across Cork County. By supporting exploratory projects, the scheme strengthens community connections, enhances artistic experiences, and encourages vibrant cultural activity throughout the region.
For more information, visit Cork County Council.