Deadline: 05-Aug-2026
Culture Ireland is inviting applications under its Regular Grant Scheme to support the international presentation of contemporary Irish artistic work. The scheme helps Irish professional artists, arts organisations, and international presenting partners present Irish arts at significant venues and festivals worldwide.
The programme supports artistic work across visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus, architecture, and other creative art forms. Projects must take place outside the island of Ireland, be open to the public, involve Irish professional artists or organisations, and include an international presenting partner.
What is the Culture Ireland Regular Grant Scheme?
The Culture Ireland Regular Grant Scheme supports the international presentation and promotion of contemporary Irish artistic work.
The scheme helps Irish artists and arts organisations reach global audiences through performances, exhibitions, screenings, readings, presentations, and other public arts events at significant international venues and festivals.
It is designed to strengthen the visibility of Irish arts worldwide and support professional artistic exchange between Ireland and international cultural partners.
Main Purpose of the Scheme
The main purpose of the scheme is to support the presentation of Irish artistic work outside the island of Ireland.
The programme aims to:
- Promote contemporary Irish arts internationally
- Support Irish professional artists and arts organisations
- Enable participation in significant international venues and festivals
- Strengthen Ireland’s cultural presence abroad
- Encourage international cultural partnerships
- Increase global audience access to Irish artistic work
- Support equality, diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability in international arts projects
Supported Art Forms
The scheme supports contemporary Irish artistic work across all art forms defined under the Arts Act 2003.
Supported sectors include:
- Visual arts
- Theatre
- Literature
- Music
- Dance
- Opera
- Film
- Circus
- Architecture
- Creative and interpretative artistic expressions
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants may include:
- Irish professional artists
- Irish arts organisations
- International presenting partners
Projects must involve Irish professional artists or Irish arts organisations.
Project Eligibility
Eligible projects must meet core programme requirements.
Projects must:
- Present contemporary Irish artistic work
- Involve Irish professional artists or organisations
- Take place outside the island of Ireland
- Be open to the public
- Include an international presenting partner
- Provide a fee to the participating artist or organisation
- Take place at a significant international venue, festival, or public platform
International Presenting Partner Requirement
An international presenting partner is required.
This partner may be a venue, festival, cultural organisation, curator, promoter, or other international host responsible for presenting the artistic work to the public.
The partner should demonstrate the project’s international relevance, audience potential, and promotional value.
Eligible Costs
Culture Ireland provides funding toward costs directly related to the international presentation of artistic work.
Eligible expenses may include:
- Travel costs
- Transport
- Freight
- Accommodation
- Subsistence
- Travel-related presentation costs
For online events, eligible costs may include:
- Technical costs
- Recording costs
- Venue hire
- Equipment hire
- Post-production costs
Artist Fees
Culture Ireland funding cannot be used to cover artists’ fees.
However, artists are expected to receive a fee for their work.
Applicants should ensure that artist payment is included in the overall project arrangement, even though it cannot be funded through Culture Ireland’s grant contribution.
What is Not Eligible?
The scheme does not support activities that fall outside international public presentation.
Ineligible activities include:
- Research
- Training
- Residencies
- Workshops
- Conferences
- Amateur events
- Production costs
- Retrospective funding
Applicants should ensure that the proposed activity is a public international presentation of contemporary Irish artistic work.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Sustainability
Applicants are encouraged to consider equality, diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability throughout the project lifecycle.
This may include:
- Inclusive artistic programming
- Accessible audience engagement
- Diverse representation
- Responsible travel planning
- Sustainable production choices
- Fair and professional working conditions
- Culturally respectful international partnerships
Key Concepts Explained
Contemporary Irish Artistic Work
Contemporary Irish artistic work refers to current professional artistic practice created or presented by Irish artists or arts organisations.
International Presentation
International presentation means showcasing artistic work outside the island of Ireland to a public audience through a venue, festival, platform, or cultural event.
Presenting Partner
A presenting partner is the international venue, festival, organisation, or promoter that hosts and presents the artistic work.
Promotional Impact
Promotional impact refers to the project’s potential to raise the profile of Irish artists, strengthen international relationships, reach new audiences, and create future opportunities.
Retrospective Funding
Retrospective funding means funding for activities or costs that have already taken place or already been incurred. This is not eligible.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on the quality, viability, and international value of the proposed project.
Key assessment areas include:
- Artistic quality
- Track record of the artist or organisation
- Project viability
- Profile of the international venue or festival
- Promotional impact of the event
- Relevance of the presenting partner
- Potential to strengthen international visibility for Irish arts
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by the Culture Ireland Executive.
The review process may include input from:
- External specialists
- The Irish Embassy network
- The Irish Consulate network
Applications are then considered by the Expert Advisory Committee.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that demonstrates artistic quality, international relevance, and public presentation value.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the project involves Irish professional artists or arts organisations.
- Secure an international presenting partner.
- Ensure the project takes place outside the island of Ireland.
- Confirm that the event is open to the public.
- Prepare details of the venue, festival, or international platform.
- Explain the artistic quality and relevance of the work.
- Provide evidence of the applicant’s professional track record.
- Prepare a realistic budget for eligible travel and presentation costs.
- Confirm that artists will receive a fee from another source or project arrangement.
- Explain the expected promotional impact.
- Address equality, diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability where relevant.
- Submit the application according to Culture Ireland’s official requirements.
Expected Outcomes
Supported projects should help Irish artists and arts organisations build international reach and recognition.
Expected outcomes may include:
- International presentation of Irish artistic work
- Increased visibility for Irish artists
- New global audiences for Irish culture
- Stronger links with international venues and festivals
- Future touring or presentation opportunities
- Greater cultural exchange
- Enhanced promotion of contemporary Irish arts worldwide
Why It Matters
International presentation is essential for artists and arts organisations seeking to build global audiences and professional networks.
The Culture Ireland Regular Grant Scheme helps Irish artistic work reach important international stages, festivals, and cultural platforms.
By supporting travel and presentation-related costs, the scheme helps reduce barriers to global participation and strengthens Ireland’s cultural presence abroad.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly show the artistic quality and international significance of the project.
Applicants should focus on:
- A strong professional track record
- A reputable international presenting partner
- Clear public presentation details
- Strong venue or festival profile
- Realistic and eligible costs
- Clear promotional impact
- Evidence that artists will be paid
- Alignment with contemporary Irish arts
- Consideration of inclusivity and sustainability
- Future international development potential
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that are mainly for research, training, production, or private activity rather than public international presentation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully check eligibility before applying.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying for a project taking place in Ireland
- Not including an international presenting partner
- Requesting support for artist fees
- Applying for research, training, residencies, or workshops
- Including production costs
- Applying for retrospective funding
- Submitting an amateur event
- Not showing public access to the event
- Providing weak information about the venue or festival
- Failing to explain promotional impact
FAQ
What is the Culture Ireland Regular Grant Scheme?
It is a funding scheme that supports the international presentation of contemporary Irish artistic work by professional artists and arts organisations.
Who can apply?
Irish professional artists, arts organisations, and international presenting partners may apply, provided the project involves Irish professional artists or organisations.
Where must projects take place?
Projects must take place outside the island of Ireland.
Is an international partner required?
Yes. An international presenting partner is required.
What art forms are supported?
Supported art forms include visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus, architecture, and other creative or interpretative artistic expressions.
Can Culture Ireland funding cover artist fees?
No. Culture Ireland funding cannot cover artists’ fees, although participating artists are expected to receive a fee for their work.
What costs are eligible?
Eligible costs include travel, transport, freight, accommodation, subsistence, and for online events, technical, recording, venue hire, equipment hire, and post-production costs.
Conclusion
The Culture Ireland Regular Grant Scheme supports the international presentation of contemporary Irish arts at significant venues and festivals worldwide. It helps Irish professional artists and arts organisations reach new audiences, build global partnerships, and strengthen Ireland’s cultural presence abroad.
Strong applications will demonstrate artistic quality, a credible professional track record, a significant international presenting partner, public access, project viability, and clear promotional impact for Irish arts internationally.
For more information, visit Culture Ireland.