Naomi Louisa O’Connell in Irish National Opera’s Mary Motorhead. Photo: Ros Kavanagh.
Funding opportunities
Find out about opportunities to apply to our funding schemes.
Find out more – Funding opportunitiesThe Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon
Leading the development of the arts in Ireland
The Arts Council is the national government agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland.
‘I Set a Bait for the Unknown’ by Cecelia Danell. Photo: Gillian Buckle.
Ahmed Karim Tamu in ‘Mespil in the Dark’ by Pan Pan. Photo: Ros Kavanagh.
Will Flanagan in ‘The Presence of Absence’ by Alchemy Art. Photo: Marcin Lewandawski.
Paul Lynch at Write By The Sea, in Co. Wexford September 2024. Photo: Victoria Ziborova.
Funding
We invest in high-quality art and excellent arts experiences through a number of competitive schemes for individual artists and organisations.
Still from ‘The Art of Loss’ by Carmel Winters, Film Project Award 2021.
Our funding decisions
See who we’ve funded in our funding decisions database.
Find out more – Our funding decisions
‘Silicon Synapse’ by AlanJames Burns. Installation at Carnegie Library, Swords. Photo: Trevor Whelan.
Spotlights
Artists and arts organisations talk about the impact funding has had on their development.
Find out more – SpotlightsDeveloping the arts
To further the development of the arts across Ireland, we lead and collaborate on a number of flagship programmes and research initiatives, enabling us to better understand and resource the arts sector.
CoisCéim Dance Theatre’s DANCEHALL BLUES by David Bolger. Photo: Ros Kavanagh.
Artforms and arts practice areas
Discover our vision and how we implement goals for each artform area we support.
Find out more – Artforms and arts practice areas
Culture Night 2025 launch with BIIRD, Helen Steele & African Dance Centre Ireland. Photo: Andres Poveda.
Flagship programmes
Our flagship programmes create new and exciting opportunities for people to engage with the arts.
Find out more – Flagship programmes
Dublin Fringe Festival. Hive City Legacy cast. Photo Tessy Media.
Resources and toolkits
We are committed to developing capacity, sharing resources and supporting and enabling the arts sector.
Find out more – Resources and toolkitsFind arts near you
Our vision is for a country where everyone has the opportunity to create, engage with, participate in and enjoy the arts and culture, regardless of who they are or where they live and work.
‘Strange Fruit’ performed at Galway International Arts Festival. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
The Arts Council Collection
We have been acquiring contemporary artwork since 1962.
Our collection, which now comprises over 1,200 artworks, tells the story of modern and contemporary Irish visual art.
Vivienne Dick | ‘Red Moon Rising’ | 2015 | HD Video
Creative Schools
Creative Schools brings to life our commitment to plan and provide for children and young people by supporting schools to embrace the creative possibilities of their community. To date, the programme has reached more than one in four schools in Ireland.
Students and creative associate collobarating on a Creative February project at St. Bernadette’s national school. Photo: Brian Cregan
Latest news
Aosdána
President Catherine Connolly presides at Arts Council ceremony marking Dorothy Cross’s election as Saoi of Aosdána
President of Ireland Catherine Connolly presided at a ceremony at the Arts Council today to mark the election of visual artist Dorothy Cross as Saoi of Aosdána. The honour of Saoi is bestowed for singular and sustained distinction in the…
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Creative Schools
The Arts Council invites young people to ‘Connect with Nature’ this Creative February
The Arts Council is delighted to invite schools, Youth Reach Centres and educational facilities across Ireland to participate in Creative February 2026. This initiative, which encourages children and young people to celebrate their creativity, was officially launched on Wednesday at Cork City Library. Creative February recognises schools have the potential to be truly creative places. This year’s theme ‘Connect…
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Aosdána
The Arts Council expresses sadness at the death of artist and Aosdána member Richard Gorman (1946 – 2026)
The Arts Council has expressed its sadness at the recent death of internationally renowned artist, painter and Aosdána member, Richard Gorman. Born in Dublin in 1946, Gorman was educated at Trinity College Dublin and Dun Laoghaire School of Art, where he graduated in Fine Art…
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Arts Council Statement
Statement by the Arts Council on the Expert Advisory Committee’s independent review
The Arts Council fully acknowledges the findings of the Expert Advisory Committee’s review and accepts its conclusions. The shortcomings identified should not have occurred, and we regret the impact this has had. We are taking responsibility for putting this right and look forward to working closely with…
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Upcoming events
Browse the latest events and book your place.
Work with us
Careers with the Arts Council
Find out about the working life within the organisation and view current job opportunities.
Announcement of dance company Luail with dancers Vitor Barboza Da Silva & Inez Berdychowska. Photo: Naoise Culhane.