Apply now for dlr Artist Mentorship Scheme 2026 (Ireland)

The dlr Arts Office Mentorship Scheme 2026 supports professional artists in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Ireland through structured mentorships running from September to December 2026. Up to 10 mentorships are awarded, providing €1,400 to mentors and €400 to mentees, enabling career development, skill-building, and professional artistic growth across all disciplines.

What is the dlr Arts Office Mentorship Scheme 2026?

The dlr Arts Office Mentorship Scheme 2026 is a structured professional development programme run by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Arts Office.

It supports emerging and developing artists by pairing them with experienced professional mentors to:

• Strengthen artistic practice
• Develop career pathways
• Improve creative skills
• Build professional networks
• Receive structured guidance and critique

The scheme is designed to enhance long-term artistic development through focused mentorship engagement.

Objectives and Key Themes

The programme focuses on structured artistic and professional growth.

Key Objectives:

• Support professional artist development
• Provide access to experienced mentors
• Strengthen artistic skills and creative practice
• Encourage structured career planning
• Improve professional confidence and direction
• Foster meaningful mentor–mentee collaboration

Core Themes:

• Artistic career advancement
• Skills development and refinement
• Creative mentorship and critique
• Structured learning plans
• Professional arts sector growth
• Cross-disciplinary artistic exchange

Eligible Art Forms

The scheme is open to all professional artistic disciplines.

Supported Art Forms:

• Architecture
• Circus arts
• Craft and making
• Design
• Dance
• Film and screen arts
• Literature
• Music
• Opera
• Street and spectacle arts
• Theatre
• Traditional arts
• Socially engaged practice
• Visual arts

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is designed specifically for mentees (artists seeking mentorship).

Eligible Applicants:

• Professional artists
• Emerging or developing practitioners
• Artists living in or working professionally in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Important Requirement:

• Applicant must apply as the mentee, not the mentor

Mentor Requirements

Each applicant must independently secure a mentor.

Mentor Conditions:

• Must be an experienced professional artist
• Must confirm participation in writing (email or letter)
• Must collaborate on structured mentorship plan

Additional Support:

• Applicants may receive guidance or suggestions for suitable mentors

Mentorship Structure and Timeline

The programme follows a fixed delivery period.

Programme Duration:

• September to December 2026

Mentorship Plan Must Include:

• Clear objectives
• Structured timeline
• Areas of artistic focus
• Expected outcomes
• Professional development goals

Key Requirement:

The mentorship must be clearly planned and outcome-focused, not informal or undefined.

Funding Overview

Up to 10 mentorships will be awarded.

Financial Support:

• €1,400 paid to the mentor (recognition of guidance)
• €400 paid to the mentee (travel and subsistence support)

Payment Conditions:

• Both mentor and mentee must provide bank details upon approval
• Payments are made only after successful selection

What the Scheme Supports

The programme supports structured artistic development through:

• One-to-one mentorship sessions
• Career planning and advice
• Artistic critique and feedback
• Portfolio and practice development
• Skill-building guidance
• Professional development planning
• Sector-specific knowledge sharing

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application package.

Required Documents:

• Mentorship plan (structured proposal)
• CVs of both mentor and mentee
• Samples of artistic work
• Mentor confirmation (letter/email)

Application Rule:

• Only one application per individual is allowed

Eligibility Restrictions

Applications will not be accepted if:

• Applicant has already received dlr mentorship bursary previously
• Applicant received dlr project funding in the last 12 months
• Applicant is a Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council employee
• Application is submitted after the deadline
• Application is incomplete or missing required documents

Selection Limit

• Maximum awards: 10 mentorships
• Highly competitive selection process based on artistic merit and development potential

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Mentor Selection

Applicant identifies and confirms a suitable mentor.

Step 2: Mentorship Planning

Mentor and mentee design a structured development plan.

Step 3: Application Submission

Submit:

• CVs
• Work samples
• Mentorship plan
• Mentor confirmation

Step 4: Review Process

Applications are assessed for:

• Artistic quality
• Career development potential
• Strength of mentorship plan
• Feasibility of engagement

Step 5: Award Decision

Up to 10 successful applicants are selected.

Step 6: Mentorship Delivery

Programme runs from September to December 2026.

Key Conditions and Rules

• Must be based in or professionally active in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
• Must be a professional artist (all disciplines eligible)
• Must have confirmed mentor participation
• Must follow structured timeline (Sept–Dec 2026)
• Must submit complete application package
• Late applications are not accepted

Why This Scheme Matters

The dlr Arts Office Mentorship Scheme strengthens the arts sector by:

• Supporting emerging artists in career development
• Building structured learning relationships
• Enhancing professional artistic practice
• Encouraging cross-disciplinary mentorship
• Improving access to experienced artistic guidance
• Strengthening the local cultural ecosystem in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting without mentor confirmation
• Missing or weak mentorship plan
• Not clearly defining artistic goals
• Incomplete CVs or work samples
• Applying outside eligibility area
• Applying after deadline
• Applying if previously funded under dlr mentorship scheme

Key Concepts Explained

Mentorship Scheme

A structured professional development programme pairing less experienced artists with established professionals.

Mentee

The applicant seeking guidance and career development support.

Structured Mentorship Plan

A formal document outlining goals, timeline, and expected outcomes.

Artistic Development

Improvement of skills, practice, and professional career progression in the arts.

Professional Artist

An individual actively working in the arts as a career or sustained practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the dlr Arts Office Mentorship Scheme 2026?

It is a funded mentorship programme supporting professional artists in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

2. How many mentorships are available?

Up to 10 mentorships will be awarded.

3. What funding is provided?

€1,400 to mentors and €400 to mentees.

4. Who can apply?

Professional artists living or working in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

5. What is the duration of the mentorship?

From September to December 2026.

6. Do I need a mentor before applying?

Yes, mentor confirmation is mandatory for application.

7. Can I apply if I received dlr funding before?

Not if you received a dlr mentorship bursary or funding in the past 12 months.

Conclusion

The dlr Arts Office Mentorship Scheme 2026 is a focused professional development programme designed to strengthen artistic careers in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. By pairing emerging artists with experienced mentors and providing structured support between September and December 2026, it enables meaningful skill development, career progression, and long-term growth in the creative sector.