Call for Proposals: Circus Project Award Grant 2027 (Ireland)

Deadline: 23-Jul-2026

The Circus Project Award 2027 supports the development and presentation of professional circus, street performance, and spectacle-based projects in Ireland.

It is designed to help artists and organisations:

• Create new circus work
• Develop ambitious artistic ideas
• Engage diverse audiences in public spaces and venues
• Strengthen Ireland’s circus and street performance sector

Key Objectives and Priorities

Artistic Excellence

• High-quality circus performance creation
• Strong technical and artistic skill in circus disciplines
• Professional production standards

Innovation and Experimentation

• Pushing boundaries of circus practice in Ireland
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration
• Development of new performance formats

Collaboration and Production Support

Projects may involve collaboration with:

• Dramaturgs
• Choreographers
• Directors
• Producers
• Technicians
• Set designers
• Costume designers

Audience Engagement

• Public performances in venues and outdoor spaces
• Community-based engagement activities
• Expanding access to circus arts
• Reaching new and diverse audiences

Sustainability of Work

• Extending the life of performances
• Encouraging repeat presentations
• Developing touring or multi-venue potential

Program Type

• Arts Council Ireland funding scheme
• Supports one-year circus projects
• Focus on professional street performance and spectacle

Funding Overview

• Maximum award: €50,000
• Additional support may be requested for:
  • Disability access costs (for artists and participants with disabilities)

Eligible Applicants

Who Can Apply

• Professional individual circus artists
• Professional arts organisations based in Ireland

Organisational Requirements

Organisations must:

• Be based in the Republic of Ireland
• Demonstrate professional practice and track record in circus or related fields

Funding Restrictions

Applicants cannot be:

• Recipients of Strategic Funding
• Recipients of Arts Centre Partnership Funding
• Recipients of Partnership Funding

Eligible Project Activities

Artistic Development and Production

• Creation of new circus works
• Development of street performance or spectacle projects
• Rehearsals and production costs

Collaboration and Creative Roles

• Fees for artistic collaborators
• Technical and design contributions
• Production and direction support

Public Presentation

• Performances in public spaces
• Venue-based shows
• Community or outdoor engagement events

Project Administration and Support

• Project management costs
• Production coordination
• Technical staffing

Promotion and Access

• Marketing and publicity
• Audience development
• Accessibility-related services and supports

Budget Requirements

Applicants must submit a detailed budget including:

• Artist and collaborator fees
• Technical production costs
• Promotion and marketing
• Administration costs
• Access costs (including disability supports)
• Other relevant project expenses

Fair Pay Requirement

• All artists and arts workers must be paid fairly
• Budget must reflect professional industry standards

Why This Award Matters

• Strengthens Ireland’s circus and street performance sector
• Supports innovative and experimental performance work
• Encourages collaboration across artistic disciplines
• Expands access to public cultural experiences
• Develops high-quality professional circus productions

How It Works

Step 1: Project Development

• Define circus or street performance concept
• Identify artistic collaborators
• Plan audience engagement strategy

Step 2: Eligibility Check

• Confirm professional track record
• Ensure organisational eligibility (if applicable)
• Verify funding compatibility restrictions

Step 3: Budget Preparation

• Build full project budget
• Include all production, artistic, and access costs
• Ensure fair payment for all contributors

Step 4: Application Submission

• Submit detailed project proposal
• Include artistic vision and delivery plan
• Provide budget and timeline

Step 5: Assessment

Applications are evaluated on:

• Artistic quality and ambition
• Innovation and originality
• Audience engagement potential
• Feasibility and budget realism
• Contribution to circus sector development

Step 6: Project Delivery

• One-year implementation period
• Public performances and engagement activities
• Reporting and evaluation

Common Mistakes

• Weak demonstration of professional circus practice
• Underdeveloped audience engagement strategy
• Incomplete or unrealistic budgets
• Lack of collaboration or production detail
• Ignoring funding exclusion rules for organisations

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly articulate artistic vision and innovation
• Demonstrate strong professional track record
• Include experienced collaborators where relevant
• Plan meaningful public engagement activities
• Ensure budget reflects real production costs and fair pay

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Circus Project Award 2027?

• An Arts Council Ireland funding program
  • Supports professional circus and street performance projects
  • Focuses on artistic innovation and public engagement

How much funding is available?

• Up to €50,000 per project
  • Additional disability access costs may be requested separately

Who can apply?

• Eligible applicants include:
  • Professional circus artists
    • Must demonstrate track record
  • Arts organisations in Ireland
    • Must be based in the Republic of Ireland

What kinds of projects are funded?

• Circus performance creation
• Street performance and spectacle projects
• Cross-disciplinary artistic collaborations
• Public engagement and community performances

What are the key requirements?

• One-year project duration
• Professional-level circus practice
• Fair payment for all artists and collaborators
• Detailed budget submission

Who is not eligible?

• Organisations receiving:
  • Strategic Funding
  • Arts Centre Partnership Funding
  • Partnership Funding

Conclusion

The Circus Project Award 2027 supports the creation of ambitious, high-quality circus and street performance works in Ireland. With funding up to €50,000, it enables artists and organisations to innovate, collaborate, and engage audiences while strengthening the professional circus sector and expanding access to public cultural experiences.

For more information, visit The Arts Council.