Artist in the Community Scheme Information Session 25th February 2026

Twice yearly, the Arts Council offers Artist in the Community Scheme grants to enable artists and communities of place/or interest to work together on projects. The scheme is managed by Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts.

The scheme is open to artists from any of the following artform disciplines: architecture, circus, street art and spectacle, dance, film, literature (Irish and English language), music, opera, theatre, visual arts and traditional arts. The projects can take place in a diverse range of social and community contexts eg arts and health; arts in prisons; arts and older people; arts and cultural diversity. The aim of the scheme is to encourage meaningful collaboration between communities of place and/or interest and artists.

Create is pleased to announce an online information session on applying to the Artist in the Community (AIC) Scheme, with previous recipient Helen Flanagan, and Tatiana Dos Santos, AIC Scheme Programme and Development Support.

The information session is about answering any questions you might have about making an application to the Scheme. It’s also about sharing experience of developing and delivering a collaborative project through the Scheme. If you are an artist or a community organisation interested in the Artist in the Community Scheme but don’t know where to start, come talk to us. If you are an artist interested in developing a collaborative project with a community organisation or in a community situation this event is for you. If you are an artist who has applied before and would like to access further detail on the application process, please join us.

Helen Flanagan has a socially engaged practice involving performance, film, writing, broadcasting and the production of social spaces. She is interested in narratives, history and counter narratives, folk and vernacular culture, and produces lively multidisciplinary work that weaves informal education and community knowledge sharing, collaborative making, ecological restoration and magic. Helen sees storytelling, the production of lively engaging social arts experiences and the methodologies of collaborative art making as effective tools to develop social, cultural and ecological capacities and to create connection between people, place and nature. In the face of climate change and the oppressive influence of neoliberal ideology on our communities, social structures and personal selves, her work forms part of the wider agenda of working towards reimagining and changing the systems that are moving us towards social and climate catastrophe.

Advisory clinics

In addition to the information session, Create is also offering an online Advisory Clinic to potential applicants. We know from internal research that 63% of proposals deemed ineligible were submitted by artists and communities who did not seek advice from Create before applying. We strongly recommend that applicants attend information sessions and one to one advisory clinics in advance of applying.

The Advisory Clinic offers artists/applicants 30 minute one to one advice and support on their application with one of the Create team. For example, you may want to tease out your idea, need some additional guidance on the application process, want to discuss / need additional guidance on what you can/should apply for to meet your collaborative practice needs. Artists who wish to avail of the Advisory Clinic must first attend an information session. You can book your place at an Advisory Clinic here.