Cork County Council announces opportunities for arts sector funding

Cork County Council has announced details of its 2026 funding opportunities for the arts sector.

The council’s Library and Arts Service is inviting proposals for arts projects, activities and events taking place across Cork county in 2026, that may be eligible for funding under a range of grant assistance schemes.

The funds announced, which are now open for applications, include the Arts Grant Scheme, which will support arts organisations and the voluntary sector to deliver arts activity, supports developing arts projects through the Irish Language, and provides a bursary and residency opportunities for professional artists working across all disciplines.

In response to consultation with the sector, two new schemes were announced including the Artist in the Community Scheme, which aims to support artists to work with communities, and a Small Capital Investment Scheme, which will support organisations in investing in equipment or improvements to their premises.

The Creative Communities Scheme has also been announced, which aims to support large scale community arts projects.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Mary Linehan Foley said it is “vital that we support and enhance the arts”.

“Our arts sector improves our quality of life, our communities, and our wellbeing,” said Ms Linehan Foley.

“We are delighted to respond to the needs of the sector with these schemes.”

Cork County Council will host a series of public information sessions to assist applicants in libraries across Cork.

After each session, attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-to-one with a member of the Arts Office team about their individual applications.

These sessions are limited, and advance booking is required.

For those unable to attend in person, an online evening session will take place on December 1.

A full list of these sessions is available on the council website: www.corkcoco.ie, with interested applicants asked to contact: arts@corkcoco.ie ahead of the session, specifying which session you wish to attend, and if you wish to avail of a one-to-one meeting.

Applications can be made to the schemes online until January 9.