The Arts Council supports non-commercial, professional theatre production in Ireland. It
seeks to support artistic excellence both in the standard of practice and level of ambition.
The Arts Council recognises the many and varied ways theatre artists work, and aims to
support artists whose work seeks to engage in a meaningful way with audiences across Ireland
and beyond by supporting the creation, development, production and dissemination of theatre.
The funding structures support theatre in its many forms, from the classical and literary
to experimental and contemporary, and recognise the diverse means by which theatre performance
is created and produced. While the Arts Council does not fund stand-up comedy, commercial
theatre or amateur theatre productions, it recognises the valuable contribution they make.
Production Supports
The Arts Council’s investment in theatre production is primarily through Strategic
Funding, Arts Grants Funding and Project awards. More information available here.
Additionally, a significant proportion of the Touring Scheme budget, and funding to
multi-disciplinary Arts (MDA) Venues, Festivals, Young People, Children and Education,
and Arts Participation, is dedicated to the creation of theatre. Additionally, the
Open Call Award supports exceptional work of scale. Please see Available Funding page
for full listing of opportunities.
Furthermore, the Arts Council supports the presentation of theatre in partnership with
multi-disciplinary-arts venues and festivals.
Please note that while the basic structure of the funding remains largely unchanged from
year to year, the details within the requirement are being constantly updated to reflect
evolving polices and priorities, e.g. Equality, Human Rights and Diversity (EHRD), audience
engagement, geographic spread. It is also worth noting that all awards are made in a
competitive environment.
For more information please click here.
Practice Development Support
The Arts Council primary interest is to support theatre artists at all stages of their
careers to create work of excellence that engages widely and deeply with the public and
that maintains the value of the arts at the centre of Irish life. The Arts Council provides
the opportunity for artists to develop their practice through individual artist supports
such as residencies, bursaries, residencies, Agility Awards, Capacity Building Support Scheme,
Travel & Training Awards and the Markievicz Award.
As above, please note that while the basic structure of the funding remains largely
unchanged from year to year, the details within the requirement are being constantly
updated to reflect evolving polices and priorities, e.g. EHRD, audience engagement,
geographic spread. It is also worth noting that all awards are made in a competitive
environment.
For more information please click here.
Cross Platform Support
In addition to theatre project specific opportunities, there are the following supports
open to theatre practitioners and projects:
To provide funding on a competitive basis to support Local Authorities and Ealaín na Gaeltachta
with ambitious and imaginative proposals to assist artists in developing their practice and
their ideas, and/or deliver excellent arts experiences to the public. Next date to be announced.
Resource Organisations
The Arts Council funds theatre-specific and theatre-related resource organisations, whose
remit is to provide training, services and information to artists aimed at advancing
professional arts and business practices. For more information please click here.