Apply for Donegal County Council Artists Bursaries Scheme (Ireland)

The Donegal County Council Artists Bursaries Scheme provides financial support to professional artists across all disciplines to develop, research, create, and present artistic projects. The scheme offers bursaries of up to €1,000 for established artists and €500 for emerging artists, supporting creative development and artistic practice in Donegal.

About the Donegal County Council Artists Bursaries Scheme

The Donegal County Council Artists Bursaries Scheme supports individual professional artists by providing financial assistance for ongoing or proposed arts projects and activities.

Funded by Donegal County Council and The Arts Council, the scheme aims to help artists sustain and advance their creative careers while supporting the development of diverse artistic work across the county.

The programme welcomes applications from artists working across different disciplines and career stages.

Objectives of the Scheme

The main objectives of the Artists Bursaries Scheme are to:

Support artists in developing their professional practice.
Encourage research, experimentation, and creative exploration.
Assist with the creation and presentation of artistic projects.
Support emerging artists and new creative voices.
Encourage participation from artists from Black and Minority Ethnic or Global Majority communities.
Strengthen Donegal’s arts and cultural sector.

Supported Activities

Funding can support artistic activities including:

Research and creative development.
Design and planning of artistic work.
Creation of new artworks.
Exhibitions.
Performances.
Events.
Publications.
Development of artistic programmes.
Completion of specific bodies of work.

The bursary can assist artists at different stages of developing and presenting their creative projects.

Funding Available

The scheme provides:

Up to €1,000 for individual professional artists.
Up to €500 for emerging artists.

The funding amount awarded depends on the application, available resources, and the assessment process.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be:

Professional practising artists.
Working in any recognised artform.
Recognised by peers as professional artists.
Able to demonstrate experience and commitment to their artistic practice.

Applicants do not need to earn their entire income from their artistic work but must show a reasonable professional track record in their chosen discipline.

Residency Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

Currently live and work in Donegal.

Were born in Donegal, currently live and work outside the county, and have completed significant artistic work in or connected to Donegal within the last three years.

Support for Emerging Artists

The scheme encourages applications from emerging artists, including:

Recent graduates.
Early-career creatives.
Artists developing their professional identity.
Artists from underrepresented communities.

Emerging artists may receive bursary support of up to €500.

Who Cannot Apply

The scheme does not support:

Arts organisations.
Community groups.
Individuals currently undertaking full-time undergraduate education.
Undergraduate coursework-related activities.
Charity or fundraising projects.
Capital or building projects.
General equipment purchases.

Equipment costs may only be considered when:

The purchase is essential for continuing artistic practice.
The cost is lower than long-term rental or hire options.

Eligible Artforms

The scheme is open to artists across a wide range of disciplines, including:

Visual arts.
Music.
Theatre.
Dance.
Literature.
Film.
Digital arts.
Other recognised creative practices.

Application Considerations

Applicants should demonstrate:

Their professional artistic background.
The purpose and importance of the proposed activity.
How the bursary will support artistic development.
The expected outcomes of the project.

Applications should clearly explain how the funding will contribute to the artist’s creative growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Donegal County Council Artists Bursaries Scheme?

It is a funding programme that supports professional artists in developing and delivering artistic projects and activities.

Who funds the Artists Bursaries Scheme?

The scheme is funded by Donegal County Council and The Arts Council.

How much funding can artists receive?

Professional artists can receive up to €1,000, while emerging artists may receive up to €500.

Who is eligible to apply?

Professional practising artists who live and work in Donegal, or eligible Donegal-born artists working outside the county, can apply.

Do applicants need to earn their full income from art?

No. However, applicants must demonstrate a professional track record in their chosen artform.

Can emerging artists apply?

Yes. The scheme specifically supports emerging artists, including recent graduates and artists from diverse communities.

What activities can the bursary support?

The bursary can support research, creative development, exhibitions, performances, publications, events, and completion of artistic work.

Can organisations apply for this funding?

No. The scheme is only available to individual artists.

Can the funding be used to buy equipment?

Generally, equipment purchases are not eligible unless they are essential for maintaining artistic practice or are more cost-effective than long-term hiring.

Can students apply?

Individuals in full-time undergraduate education or seeking support for undergraduate coursework cannot apply.

Can funding support charity events?

No. Projects focused wholly or partly on charity or fundraising purposes are not eligible.

Conclusion

The Donegal County Council Artists Bursaries Scheme provides valuable support for professional artists seeking to expand their creative practice, develop new work, and engage with audiences. By supporting both established and emerging artists, the scheme contributes to a vibrant and inclusive arts community in Donegal.