The Ballydehob Jazz Festival is one of the Cork arts festivals set to receive Arts Council funding next summer. Photo: Chris Bair

Festival funding for 2022 announced

Every year, hundreds of arts festivals across the country apply to the Arts Council for assistance in organising their artistic programme.

Cork festivals to receive funding in round one of the scheme include the Ballydehob Jazz Festival (€19,945); Blood in the Alley Productions (€34,856); Cobh Carillon Committee (€5,000); Cork World Book Festival (€20,000); Fastnet Short Film Festival (€20,000); The Ballincollig Winter Music Festival (€10,000) and First Cut! Youth Film Project (€34,700).

This year, the Arts Council has announced €924,989 investment in festivals taking place between January and June 2022.

In total, 73 applications were made of which 59 are to receive funding across 16 counties with the average grant working out at €15,677, a nine per cent increase on 2021. Of these 59 successful festivals, five are first time applicants to the Festival Investment Scheme.

Commenting on the grants, Arts Council Director Maureen Kennelly said the increase in investment will ensure the public can enjoy in-person arts activities while ensuring artists receive the support they need to deliver their programmes.

“Festivals have endured during the pandemic in very challenging circumstances, providing a number of digital events for audiences over the last 18 months, and their tenacity and adaptability has been inspiring,” said Ms Kennelly.

She added: “We are also pleased to provide support to five first time applicants to the Festival Investment Scheme. These festivals reflect great vibrancy and diversity in their programmes and range from traditional arts to specialist work for young people and children.”

Round one of the Festival Investment Scheme provides supports for festivals taking place between January and June 2022.

Round two of the scheme will open this coming Tuesday with a deadline set for 18 November for applications for festivals taking place July-December 2022.