Funding for 26 Cork artists

Twenty-six Cork artists have been awarded a total of €389,743 in the first round of the 2026 Bursary Award scheme from The Arts Council.

Awards were broken down by local authority jurisdiction. Of those awarded, 11 fell under Cork City Council, while 15 came under Cork County Council.

Funding for Cork artists across the city and county councils was second-highest in the country, placing behind only Dublin, which saw 110 awards across its four councils.

The awards in Cork ranged from €7,500 up to €20,000, and encompassed arts participation (€63,875), circus (€39,740), dance (€14,800), film (€28,000), English literature (€42,500), music (€55,828), visual arts (€125,000), and children and young people’s arts (€20,000).

Nationally, the Arts Council received 1,481 applications, and funded 258, totalling €4.3 million in funding nationwide.

The awards emphasise the value and benefit that an extended process of engagement can bring to an artist’s development.

The works and learnings developed through these awards benefit both the individual artist, audiences, and the wider ecosystem in Ireland.

William Bock, an interdisciplinary artist and maker with a practice in Cork, said that he was “delighted” by his award of €20,000 under the Bursary Scheme.

“The bursary will support the development of film making within my collaborative work with communities,” he said.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said: “Ireland's reputation as a cultural powerhouse is reliant on strong state supports to artists.

“In providing over 250 artists from right across Ireland with time and opportunity to develop their artistic practice, these awards recognise the intrinsic value of the arts and the benefits they bring to our society,” he said.

Director of the Arts Council, Moling Ryan said: “The bursary scheme is central to how the Arts Council supports the arts in Ireland. We recognise the necessity for artists to have the time and resources to make great art. These awards will support artists to further develop Ireland’s vibrant, creative culture.”

A second round of funding will be announced by The Arts Council at a later date.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.