Performing Arts Forum is delighted to be working with Local Authority Arts Offices and other Arts Organisations to offer bursaries for independent arts practitioners to attend The Gathering in Belfast on 26 & 27 May 2026.
Now in its fourth year, our Independent Artist Bursaries are back for our Belfast Gathering (more information about The Gathering here).
Since the launch of these bursaries, support from participating local authorities has expanded to include arts organisations, and this year the scheme operates on an all-island basis – ensuring a more diverse range of independent artists and theatre practitioners can take part in this vital sectoral gathering.
- Applicants must be based and working on the island of Ireland. Please see the individual county/borough applications below for their conditions before applying.
- Applications Open from 12 midday Monday 12 January 2025 (unless otherwise stated)
- Deadline to apply: 5pm Monday 2 March 2026*
- If you are a local authority or membership organisation and would like to get involved, offer a bursary, and be listed below, please email Paul at paul@performingartsforum.ie before the Monday 2 March deadline
*Please note that the bursaries will be distributed via a panel selection by the relevant local authority/organisation.
Each Artist Bursary Will Cover*:
- A ticket (valued at €120) to Performing Arts Forum Belfast Gathering includes all day sessions, two lunches, dinner, coffee breaks and the artistic programme
- Artist Honorarium of €180 and Accommodation and Travel Contribution of €150 (to be arranged by the artist – see here for details of accommodation deals).
- The artist will receive €330 (artist honorarium and accommodation and travel contribution) on Friday 29 May
*Please note that some of the conditions and support may differ from local authority to local authority. Please read the notes at the beginning of each form as to what is included in financial support, all of which are marked with a † symbol.
Please see the list of bursaries available below:
Bursaries:
Local Authorities
- Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council (ABC) Council x 2 – Apply Here †
- Carlow County Council – x 2 – Apply Here
- Cavan County Council – x 1 – Apply Here
- Clare County Council – x 1 – Apply Here
- Cork City Council x – 2 – Apply Here
- Dublin City Council x 3 – Apply Here
- Dun Laoghaire & Rathdown County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Fingal County Council x 4 – Apply Here
- Galway City Council x 5 – Apply Here
- Galway County Council x 1 – Apply Here
- Kildare County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Kilkenny County Council x 1 – Apply Here
- Laois County Council x 1 – Apply Here
- Limerick City & County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Longford County Council x 3 – Applications Open In March †
- Louth County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Mayo County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Meath County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Monaghan County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Offaly County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Roscommon County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Sligo County Council x 3 – Apply Here
- South Dublin County Council x 3 – Apply Here
- Waterford City & County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Westmeath County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Wexford County Council x 2 – Apply Here
- Wicklow County Council x 2 – Apply Here
Organisation Artist Bursaries
- Ealaín na Gaeltachta x 1 – Apply Here–
- Theatre & Dance NI – Applications Open In February †
- Theatre for Young Audiences Ireland (TYAI) x 1 – Apply Here
- Youth Theatre Ireland x 1 – Apply Here
Eligibility
Applications are invited from anyone working professionally in theatre and the performing arts. Artists and arts workers at an early career stage as well as more established and experienced professionals are invited to apply.
- Applicants must be first time recipients of these bursaries. If you have already received a bursary and attended The Gathering, you will not be eligible on this occasion.
- Applicants must be based and working on the island of Ireland. Please see the individual county/borough applications for their conditions before applying.
- Applicants can only apply once unless applying through a member organisation, in which case a further application may be submitted. Where multiple applications are received across different bursaries, only one will be put forward and all others will not be considered.
In partnership with local authorities and organisations, we welcome applications from individuals from diverse national, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including, but not limited to, Asian, Black, Traveller and other minority ethnic communities; refugees; people with disabilities; people from marginalised socio-economic backgrounds; and LGBTIQ+ artists and arts workers.
Selection
This year, successful applicants will be selected by an internal panel within each Local Authority or organisation. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 2 March, and applicants will be notified of the outcome from Tuesday 24 March onwards.
Additional Support
Performing Arts Forum recognises that there may be significant barriers to participation, particularly for parents and carers and for those with accessibility requirements working in the arts. To help address this, we are pleased to offer a limited additional support payment as part of this programme. This support, capped at €150, is intended to ease access for those who might otherwise face difficulties attending.
Contact
- If your city or county council is not listed above, please contact your local arts office directly for further support.
- If you are a local authority or membership organisation and would like to get involved, offer a bursary, and be listed above, please email Paul at paul@performingartsforum.ie before the Monday 2 March deadline
- If you wish to talk more about accessibility support, please feel free to mail Paul at paul@performingartsforum.ie