Quarter million in funding for county arts

Funding has been announced for 145 artists and arts organisations in county Cork for 2026 as applications reach record levels.

There were 370 applications in total for Cork County Council’s 2026 Arts Grants schemes, representing a 46% increase on 2025.

Funding of over €225,350 has been confirmed to be shared amongst the successful 145 candidates which will support arts projects, activities, and events throughout the county for 2026.

Cork County Council’s Arts Grants support artists, arts organisations, and community initiatives through eight distinct funding schemes.

In 2026, the Arts Grant Scheme is enabling 90 applicants to deliver arts activity across the county, while eight projects are receiving support for development through the Irish language.

The Small Capital Investment Scheme will assist 17 organisations in upgrading equipment or improving their facilities. Fourteen community arts projects will be supported through the Creative Communities Scheme, and the newly introduced Artist in the Community Scheme will enable five artists to collaborate directly with local communities on projects.

Through the Creative Artist Bursary Scheme, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary, and the Ballinglen Arts Foundation Bursary, a total of 11 bursary and residency opportunities have been awarded to professional artists working across all disciplines.

Welcoming the funding, the Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley said: “Without arts and culture our lives and the places we live in would not be as vibrant or attractive as destinations. Arts organisations in the county have once again demonstrated their impact at a local level with a wide array of arts festivals, exhibitions, performances and so much more set to take place in 2026.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added: “The funding announced today will have a considerable impact on not only the artists and organisations receiving support, but also on placemaking, tourism, community, and economic growth.”

In 2025, events supported through the Arts Grants Scheme created 1,544 artist work opportunities, while a spend of €2.7 million was spent by the arts organisations Cork County Council supported on local goods and services.

There was a huge growth in audiences with 27,898 children and adults actively participating in a creative activity which is a 46% increase when compared to 2024.

Additionally, 272,138 people attended an arts event or festival enabled through the Arts Grants, which is a 52% increase when compared to 2024.