2026 AIC Scheme Bursary Awards now open for applications

We are delighted to issue this open call for applications to the Artist in the Community Scheme Bursary Awards 2026.

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 2026, offering the artists time to reflect on, and develop, their practice.

The closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday, 20 July 2026.

About the Bursary Awards

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 (EDI) 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.

What does the award offer?

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

• offers bi monthly mentoring support from Create
• offers up to two mentoring sessions with one of the experienced collaborative socially engaged artists from the Artist Mentoring Panel.
• is supported by partners who will offer the successful artist up to two support meetings, where appropriate.

Application Process

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