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Artist and Youth Work Residency Grant Scheme 2026 (Ireland)

Deadline: 20-Mar-2026

The National Youth Council of Ireland invites applications for the 2026 Artist and Youth Work Residency Grant Scheme, supporting innovative collaborations between artists, youth groups, and arts organisations. Grants of up to €5,000 enable projects that place young people at the centre, widen access to youth arts, and build organisational capacity for meaningful creative engagement.

Program Overview

The Artist and Youth Work Residency Grant Scheme aims to:

  • Promote partnerships between artists, youth work settings, and arts organisations

  • Support young-person-centred projects where young people guide decision-making

  • Widen access to arts experiences, especially for young people facing barriers

  • Encourage inclusive, innovative, and best-practice approaches in youth arts

The scheme is funded by the Arts Council and the Department of Education and Youth, managed by the National Youth Council of Ireland, and projects will commence in May 2026.

Grant Strands

1. Youth Arts Explorer Grant

  • Funding: Up to €1,500

  • Purpose: For organisations beginning to explore youth arts initiatives

  • Activities Supported:

    • Testing project ideas

    • Hosting introductory sessions

    • Facilitating meetings between artists, youth, and youth services

    • Connecting groups with local arts spaces for performances, workshops, or exhibitions

  • Goal: To lay the groundwork for future, larger partnerships

2. Artist and Youth Work Full Residency Grant

  • Funding: Up to €5,000

  • Purpose: For established partnerships ready to deliver a full residency

  • Activities Supported:

    • Co-development of residencies by young people, youth workers, artists, and partner organisations

    • Ensuring meaningful creative participation and youth-led decision-making

    • Delivering comprehensive artistic experiences in youth settings or arts spaces

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Youth work organisations collaborating with artists

  • Youth work organisations partnering with arts organisations

  • Consortia of youth work organisations and artists

  • Arts organisations partnering with youth work organisations to deliver youth-focused artistic experiences

Projects must demonstrate:

  • Active participation and leadership of young people

  • Innovative approaches to youth arts engagement

  • Inclusivity and widening access for underrepresented young people

Key Considerations for Applicants

  • Organisations may only apply for one grant strand per cycle

  • Projects should clearly articulate:

    • Goals and outcomes for young people

    • How youth participation shapes the project

    • Plans for collaboration between youth workers, artists, and organisations

  • Grants are intended to build capacity and foster sustainable partnerships, not fund one-off events alone

How to Apply

  1. Select Grant Strand: Choose Youth Arts Explorer or Full Residency depending on readiness and project scale

  2. Develop Proposal: Outline project goals, youth involvement, collaboration plan, and expected outcomes

  3. Prepare Supporting Documents: Include organisational details, partnership agreements, and evidence of youth engagement

  4. Submit Application: Through the National Youth Council of Ireland online application system

  5. Application Deadline: Confirm dates on the official website (usually several weeks prior to May start date)

Tips for Successful Applications

  • Highlight how young people will lead decision-making

  • Demonstrate strategies for inclusive participation

  • Show potential for ongoing collaboration and future residencies

  • Include clear and realistic project plans and budgets

  • Emphasise alignment with the scheme’s goals of widening access and building organisational capacity

FAQ

1. What is the maximum funding available?

  • €1,500 for Youth Arts Explorer and €5,000 for Full Residency Grants.

2. Who can apply?

  • Youth work organisations, arts organisations, or consortia collaborating to deliver youth arts residencies.

3. When do projects begin?

  • Residencies are expected to start in May 2026.

4. Can an organisation apply for both strands?

  • No, only one application per organisation per grant cycle is allowed.

5. What types of activities are supported?

  • Residencies, workshops, performances, exhibitions, co-creation projects, and initiatives promoting youth leadership in arts.

6. Are young people required to lead the project?

  • Yes, projects must centre young people’s voices in planning and decision-making.

7. Can underrepresented youth participate?

  • Yes, widening access for youth facing barriers is a key priority.

Conclusion

The 2026 Artist and Youth Work Residency Grant Scheme provides an exciting opportunity for artists and youth organisations to co-create innovative, youth-led artistic experiences. By supporting inclusive participation, collaborative residencies, and capacity building, the scheme strengthens youth arts engagement across Ireland and fosters long-term, meaningful partnerships between young people, artists, and organisations.

For more information, visit National Youth Council of Ireland.