Deadline: 18-Jun-2026
The Dance Bursary Award supports professional dance artists and arts practitioners seeking time and resources to strengthen and advance their artistic practice.
The programme focuses on research, creative development, technical growth, and professional learning opportunities.
Key Focus Areas
The bursary supports:
- Artistic research and reflection
- Development of new creative ideas
- Technical and professional skills development
- Mentorships and collaborations
- Work with production partners
- Short-term training opportunities
- Limited purchase of equipment and materials
- Practice-based artistic development
Funding Information
- Grant amount: €5,000–20,000
- Duration: One-year bursary award
- Equipment/material costs:
- Maximum 15% of requested funding
Additional support:
- Artists with disabilities may request separate disability access costs
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Professional dance artists
- Arts practitioners working in any artform
- Artists resident in the Republic of Ireland
A professional artist is someone who:
- Actively pursues an arts career
- Is recognised by peers as a practising artist
- Regards artistic practice as their main profession
Non-resident applicants may apply if:
- The proposal clearly benefits the arts in Ireland
Application limits:
- Only one application allowed in 2026
- Applicants cannot apply to multiple bursary rounds in the same year
Assessment Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Artistic quality and originality
- Ambition and clarity of the proposal
- Relevance to artistic development goals
- Quality of supporting materials
- Strength of mentorships or collaborations
- Alignment with programme priorities
Why This Programme Matters
The bursary provides artists with dedicated time and resources to deepen their creative practice, explore new ideas, and strengthen professional development within Ireland’s dance and arts sector.
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen artistic practice and innovation
- Support long-term professional growth
- Encourage experimentation and creative research
- Build stronger artistic collaborations and mentorship networks
FAQ
- What is the Dance Bursary Award?
- A funding programme supporting professional dance artists and arts practitioners in Ireland
- How much funding is available?
- Grants range from €5,000 to €20,000
- Who can apply?
- Professional artists and arts practitioners resident in the Republic of Ireland
- What activities are supported?
- Research, mentorships, training, collaborations, and artistic development
- Can artists request disability support costs?
- Yes, additional disability access costs may be included separately
Conclusion
The Arts Council Dance Bursary Award Round 2 supports professional artists in Ireland by providing focused funding for artistic growth, research, mentorship, and long-term creative development.
For more information, visit The Arts Council.