Laois Co Council issues details of Arts Grants 2026
Laois County Arts Officer Muireann Ní Chonail, speaking at the event
LAOIS Co Council has raised the curtain on details of grants and opportunities to support the development and presentation of creative and artistic projects in the county throughout 2026. Applications are now being accepted from individuals, groups and organisations.
At the beginning of this year, Laois Co Council Arts Service hosted two information sessions on upcoming grants and funding opportunities.
The first information session took place in-person in Portlaoise parish centre on Tuesday 20 January and the second took place online on Wednesday 21 January.
Under the Arts Act Grants 2026, provision has been made by the council for the payment of grants to Laois arts organisations and individuals who meet the artistic and financial criteria set down by the council. The average award is €300 and the maximum amount payable will not exceed €1,000. The budget has increased to €10,000.
The Tyrone Guthrie Residency Awards 2026 will offer two one-week residenies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Co Monaghan. It is open to artists living in Laois or from Laois. The awards are open to artists in all art forms and is selected based on previous achievements and projects in hand.
Expressions of interest for inclusion on the is being established for artists interested in delivering programmes to primary and post-primary schools. The expression of interest should include a curriculum vitae, an A4 sheet outlining what the artist is proposing and 6-8 images for consideration on the panel. This scheme gives primary and post-primary schools the opportunity to work with professional artists. The fee is €2,500, including preparation and class contact time.
The offers an award of €10,000. The film must be made in Laois and include a Laois writer or filmmaker. The applications are adjudicated by industry professionals.
A new have been introduced for Laois Arthouse. This offers two artists a three-month residency and a bursary of €1,000. Artists living in Laois will receive a studio and an artist from outside of the county will receive a studio-plus apartment. A public event must be delivered as part of the residency. Facilities include an exhibition space, kiln, garden, public library and wi fi and support from the arts office.
The closing dates for all of the above grants and opportunities is Friday and all information and application forms are on www.laois.ie/arts-and-culture.
Additional grants and opportunities in 2026 include the to attend the Performing Arts Forum gathering in Belfast, the in Longford and , online training opportunities for musicians. These have different closing dates than the above opportunities.
For further information, contact the arts office, Laois Co Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois for further information, email arts@laoiscoco.ie, phone 057 8664033/057 68664109.
