AIC Awards

This page contains information on applying for the Artist in the Community Scheme. Please see below for full application procedure, as well as information on additional supports offered by Create.  Application packs are linked on this page in both English and Irish. 

The Round One closing date for 2026 is 30th March. 

This includes the following awards:

Research and Development Award (without mentoring)
Research and Development Award (with Mentoring)
Recent Graduate Research and Development Award (with Mentoring)
Project Realisation Award

Mentoring within the AIC Scheme

Artists applying for Research and Development Awards can choose to nominate a mentor, whose role is to support the development of the artist’s practice and thinking within the context of collaborative arts practice. Mentors must be arts professionals relevant to the field of collaborative arts practice. For example an artist of any artform with a strong track-record of working collaboratively with communities, or curator or producer with relevant experience in working in the context of collaborative arts practice.

Applying for the AIC Scheme 

In advance of the closing date, application packs are available linked on this page, in both English and Irish. The forms will not be available past the closing date.  Please choose which award you wish to apply for, and follow the instructions found on that page. 

Information Sessions

If you are interested in applying, please attend an information session with Create staff and previous AIC scheme recipients to learn more about the scheme. After attending this session, you may attend a one on one Advisory Clinic with a member of Create staff (available dates: Thursday 5th, 12, 19th and 26th March). At this meeting you can receive advice and support on your potential ideas for the AIC Scheme award.

This is a highly competitive scheme. Each year we received more applications than we can fund. In 2025, 21% of applications received funding. We know from internal research that in 2024, 63% of proposals deemed ineligible were submitted by artists and communities who did not seek advice from Create before applying. By contrast, between 2020 and 2025, 69% of successful applicants received advice and support from Create before applying. 

For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you engage with Create to access advice and support before you apply. 

How can we support you?

Create and the Arts Council aim to make the application process accessible to all. We have increased supports to remove barriers for artist applicants to Artist in the Community awards. These additional supports may include: translation from other languages, Irish Sign Language(ISL) interpretation for advisory sessions, or transcription of audio and video files. To find out more please contact Create at least 3 weeks in advance of the closing date. Email us at info[at]createireland.ie or call us on (01) 473 6600. If you feel your needs are not outlined here please contact us and we will do our best to support you.

Audio guidelines can be used in conjunction with the written text, or to assist those with additional access needs. These guidelines can be accessed alongside the written guidelines on the relevant application page.

We have published an updated FAQs document. Please consult this to answer questions you may have about applying to the AIC Scheme. We have also published a glossary of terms which also be found in the Guidelines for each award. 

If you have a technical query about using the online application form, email info[at]create-ireland.ie in advance of the deadline.