Cork arts organisations set to benefit from €4m funding windfall

A total of 20 arts organisations in Cork are due to receive more than €4m in combined funding as part of a nationwide scheme to support the development of arts.

The Arts Council announced that it is awarding funding to 175 arts organisations, arts centres and arts studios across the country, amounting to a total of €68.5m.

More than 100 arts organisations received grants through the strategically funded programme, totaling €57.7m, which was aimed at organisations who make a significant impact to arts infrastructure in Ireland.

Some 41 arts centres were awarded a total of €10m in this round of funding, which will support the running of each centre.

In addition, 30 art studio spaces will receive €746,000 in funding grants, providing a workspace for 1,117 visual artists in 15 counties.

Cork beneficiaries

Among the 20 Cork organisations who have been awarded strategic funding grants are Cork Printmakers, who were awarded €97,740; Lewis Glucksman Gallery, awarded €168,420; The Firkin Crane, awarded €196,828; and the Munster Literature Centre, awarded €230,490.

The four arts centres to receive funding in Cork are the Triskel Arts Centre, awarded €253,000, the Sirius Arts Centre, awarded €135,000, The Everyman Theatre, awarded €500,000 and the West Cork Arts Centre Uillinn, awarded €357,130.

Seven organisations in Cork will also benefit from the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme, including the Backwater Artists Group, awarded €50,000; Sample Studios, awarded €50,000; Cork Artists’ Collective Ltd, awarded €35,500, and Benchspace awarded €16,420.

“This first round of funding decisions for 2025 will help allow artists, audiences and communities to come together through the unifying power of art,” chair of the Arts Council, Maura McGrath said.

“However, we recognise the difficulties and challenges that the current level of available funding brings.

“We commit to advocating for increased funding for our sector.” For information, visit: www.artscouncil.ie.