The Individual Arts Bursary, Theatre Bursary & Dolores O'Riordan Music Bursary Award Schemes 2026 is now open for applications.
This scheme closed for applications on Wednesday, 26th November 2025.
Limerick City and County Council invited applications from professional artists who wished to be considered for a Bursary of up to €4,000 for Individual Arts and Dolores O’ Riordan Music, and up to €5000 for Theatre for the development of work/professional skills. Artists based in Limerick City and County Council’s administrative area, or operating substantially within Limerick City and County could apply for a Bursary in any art form, including Visual Arts, Circus, Dance and Literature, Theatre and Music.
This scheme is in line with the Limerick Cultural Strategy Aim and Objective 1:
To grow Limerick’s cultural capacity by retaining and attracting creative practitioners to live and work in Limerick
- Support and develop the creativity of individual artists in Limerick through recognising the need to support the making and development of creative work as well as its presentation and exhibition.
- Encourage the highest standards of creativity and excellence in all aspects of cultural activities
Purpose of the Awards
The Individual Arts Bursary Awards scheme is to support professional artists to develop their artistic practice. It is designed to support the development of Limerick based professional artists through any means that will demonstratively contribute to an artist’s development such as:
- Costs relating to the production of a specific body of new artistic work - development of new work for exhibition, publication or presentation.
- Costs relating to improving your knowledge - research or short-term courses in Ireland or a structured mentoring relationship.
- Costs relating to improving your professional capacity – such as website development, on-line supports, or documentation.
- Other - or any purpose that contributes to the removal of existing barriers to an artist’s development.
This competitive open call, offers the opportunity for funding for Individual Arts Bursary, Theatre Bursary, and Dolores O’ Riordan Music Bursary Awards Scheme until 31 December 2026.
This Award Scheme call out included a Bursary for Theatre and a Bursary for Music, the Dolores O’Riordan Music Bursary, to support professionals working in either theatre or music.
In 2026, Film practitioners were not eligible under the Individual Arts Bursary Awards scheme, as they will have their own separate open call via 'Film in Limerick'.
Persons in undergraduate, or full time post-graduate education were not eligible, or individuals who will be during the period for which this bursary is offered.
Award Guidelines
For further information, please contact:
Phone: 061 556370
Email: artsofficesubmissions@limerick.ie
Previous Awards