2025 AIC Scheme Bursary Award now open for applications

We are delighted to issue this open call for applications to the Artist in the Community Scheme Bursary Awards 2025.

The objective of the Artist in the Community (AIC) Scheme Bursary Award is to support individual professional artists in any artform to develop their collaborative socially engaged arts practice. There will be two awards of €20,000 awarded in 2025, offering the artists time to reflect on, and develop, their practice. The closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday 21st July.

About the Bursary Award(s)

The bursary award is aimed at individual professional artists who collaborate with individuals or groups/ communities (non-arts professionals).  Artists must have a track record of making and interpreting art collaboratively with communities.

One of the two bursary awards is specifically for an early career/emerging artist with a track record in collaborative arts practice.

We are deeply aware that, within the arts in Ireland, many inequities still exist and that there are many artists who experience barriers to engaging with, and developing, their arts practice due to their:

• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Civil or family status
• Religion
• Age
• Disability
• Race
• Membership of the Traveller community
• Socio-economic background

This bursary is informed by the Arts Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Create’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and is aimed at artists who identify with the experiences described above.

The bursary is for artists who are facing particular barriers and/or challenges in developing their collaborative socially engaged arts practice. We do not require artists to focus on these barriers during their Bursary.

The bursary of €20,000 will provide the selected artist with time and resources to engage with and reflect on their collaborative arts practice.

Application Process

Read more about the Bursary Awards and how to apply, here.