‘Arts sector improves our quality of life’
Applications are now open for funding opportunities in the arts sector in county Cork for 2026.
Cork County Council’s Library and Arts Service is inviting proposals for arts projects, activities, and events that may be eligible for funding under a range of grant assistance schemes.
Funds announced include the Arts Grant Scheme which will support arts organisations and the voluntary sector to deliver arts activity; support for developing arts projects through the Irish language; and bursary and residency opportunities for professional artists working in all disciplines.
In response to consultation with the arts sector, two new schemes were announced including the Artist in the Community Scheme which aims to support artists to work with communities, and a Small Capital Investment Scheme to support organisations in investing in equipment or improvements to their premises. The Creative Communities Scheme aims to support large scale community arts projects.
The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said: “Our arts sector improves our quality of life, our communities, and our wellbeing. It is vital that we support and enhance the arts.”
Cork County Council will host a series of public info sessions in libraries across Cork from 1-2pm. After each session, attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-to-one with a member of the Arts Office team. Advance booking is required. For those unable to attend in person, an online evening session will take place on 1 December.Contact arts@corkcoco.ie specifying which session they wish to attend, and if they wish to avail of a one-to-one meeting. The public info sessions will take place from 1-2pm at Skibbereen Library, 25 Nov; Midleton Library, 26 Nov; Mallow Library, 27 Nov; Bandon Library, 28 Nov; Macroom Library, 2 Dec; Bantry Library, 3 Dec; and Carrigaline Library, 4 Dec.
Applications can be made online from 14 Nov until 9 Jan. Guidelines are available on the Arts section of Cork County Council’s website, corkcoco.ie.