Wicklow County Arts Office is inviting applications for the 2027 Arts Act funding schemes, which are designed to support artists, communities, arts festivals, arts participation and art form development across County Wicklow.
These schemes are integral to Wicklow County Council’s efforts to promote excellence in the arts and enhance community involvement in artistic endeavours throughout the county. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 11th December 2026 at 4pm.
In 2027, Wicklow County Arts Office will accept applications for three funding programs: Artist Award Scheme, Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme and the Arts Festival Award Scheme. Applications are welcome from all art forms including film, visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, architecture, animation, performance, circus, traditional arts, music and drama.
The Artist Award Scheme is intended to support professional artists in developing and realising a specific body of work or pursuing professional development. It is open to artists at all career stages who are either residents or natives of County Wicklow. Professional artists working in any discipline, or genre are eligible to apply.
The Artist & Community Collaboration Award Scheme aims to support collaborations between artists and communities across various artistic disciplines. This initiative encourages active engagement in a high-quality arts programme that fosters the creative development of both the artist and the community group.
The Arts Festival Awards Scheme was established to support the production and commissioning of new work for arts festivals. It aims to engage professional artists or ensembles in festival line ups, enhance audience development and public engagement or assist in development new strategies for delivering arts festivals in County Wicklow.
Wicklow County Arts Office will hold an online funding clinic on Thursday 22nd October 2026 at 10am to help applicants understand the application process. This funding clinic will be recorded and made available on the Wicklow Arts Office website for future reference. To register for this clinic, please contact wao@wicklowcoco.ie.
Guidelines and full criteria for the funding schemes are available on the Wicklow Arts Office website. The deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm on Friday 11th December 2026.
Speaking on the funding schemes, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Dr. Caroline Winstanley noted, “I am pleased that the Council continues to provide these funding schemes, supporting County Wicklow artists, communities and festivals so that they might thrive and engage the public in meaningful ways while showcasing their ambition, innovation and excellence.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman commented, “The application support provided by Wicklow County Arts Office will ensure these funding schemes continue to support the work of County Wicklow artists, support meaningful artist and community collaboration, and strengthen the development of arts festivals across the County for the benefit of all citizens.”
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