Deadline: 18-Jun-2026
The Traditional Arts Bursary Award supports professional traditional arts artists and practitioners in Ireland by providing funding and dedicated time to research, reflect on, and strengthen their artistic practice.
The programme supports artists at all career stages working on artistic development, skills improvement, creative exploration, collaboration, and future project development within the traditional arts sector.
Programme Focus Areas
The award supports:
- Artistic practice development
- Research and creative exploration
- Development of new artistic ideas
- Technical skills improvement
- Learning practice-related skills
- Mentorship and collaboration
- Development of future creative projects
The programme encourages sustained engagement with traditional arts practice.
Funding Support
Applicants may request:
- Between €5,000 and €20,000
Applications outside this range are not eligible.
Artists with disabilities may also request:
- Additional personal disability access costs
These costs are assessed separately from the main funding request.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Professional traditional arts artists
- Professional arts practitioners contributing to the arts in Ireland
Applicants must:
- Be resident in the Republic of Ireland
- Be actively pursuing a professional arts career
- Consider their arts practice their main profession
- Be recognised by peers as practising professionals
Applicants outside Ireland may also apply if they clearly explain how the proposal benefits the arts sector in the Republic of Ireland.
Important Eligibility Rules
Applicants cannot:
- Apply for more than one Bursary Award in the same funding round
- Apply for support connected to formal education courses
- Apply for internships or volunteer-related work
Full-time employees may apply only if:
- They are seeking dedicated time away from employment to focus on artistic practice
- This is clearly explained in the application
Who is Not Eligible?
The award is not open to:
- Organisations
- Full-time undergraduate students
- Applicants seeking postgraduate fee support
- Applicants outside the Republic of Ireland without clear benefit to Irish arts
- Aosdána members receiving a Cnuas
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Artistic quality
- Professional experience and track record
- Feasibility of the proposal
- Artistic development potential
- Alignment with programme objectives
Tips for Applicants
Strong applications should:
- Clearly explain artistic goals
- Demonstrate commitment to traditional arts practice
- Present realistic activities and timelines
- Highlight mentorship or collaboration plans
- Show the long-term value of the proposed work
FAQ
Who can apply?
Professional traditional arts artists and arts practitioners resident in the Republic of Ireland.
How much funding is available?
Applicants may request between €5,000 and €20,000.
Can disability access costs be included?
Yes. Additional disability-related access costs may be requested separately.
Can applicants apply for multiple bursary awards?
No. Only one Bursary Award application may be submitted in the same funding round.
Are full-time employees eligible?
Yes, but applicants must explain how they will take time away from employment to focus on artistic practice.
Conclusion
The Traditional Arts Bursary Award 2026 supports professional artists in Ireland by providing funding for artistic research, creative development, collaboration, and skills enhancement. The programme helps strengthen traditional arts practice while encouraging long-term artistic growth and innovation within the sector.
For more information, visit The Arts Council.