Hundreds of artists around the country are set to benefit from a bursary of up to €20,000 to help them develop their art, the Arts Council said today.
The state agency for funding and developing the arts said it had added significantly to the amount available in its second round of bursaries for 2020. It stressed that practitioners across all art forms were eligible to apply, and the window for applications would remain open until 30 July.
“Artists have suffered disproportionately in the Covid-19 crisis, with many people finding themselves suddenly with no income and arts organisations facing significant losses. With additional funding from government, we hope to provide as many artists as possible with the funding they need right now," said Arts Council Director Maureen Kennelly.
"Information about other schemes and programmes to support artists and organisations will be made available in the coming weeks," she said.
She added that for the first time in more than a decade, the Arts Council is offering a second round of Bursary awards across all art forms.
“There is no such thing as ‘overnight success’ in the arts. That is why it is crucial for the Arts Council to support artists to buy space and time to develop their practice,” she added.
The Arts Council has been offering bursaries to artists for many decades. Among those who have received an award at some point in their career are Seamus Heaney; Marina Carr; Enda Walsh; Olwen Fouéré and Sally Rooney.
As with all Arts Council schemes and awards, the bursaries are open to all. The agency said it wished to encourage applications from a wide range of practices, and in particular, applications that are representative of the diversity of Irish society.
Recipients can receive up to a maximum of €20,000 in some art forms. In previous years the average amount awarded was €10,140.
Further details are available at www.artscouncil.ie.
Artists must first register online with the Arts Council before applying. This is a simple process but may take several days to go through. All applications must be received by 5.30 pm on 30 July 2020.
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