The purpose of this fund

The purpose of the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme is to support artists’ workspaces throughout the country to provide the best possible working environment for visual artists and, where feasible, to enable a level of subsidy for the artists working in these spaces.

The scheme is in line with the Arts Council’s ten-year strategy (2016–25), Making Great Art Work: Leading the Development of the Arts in Ireland which commits to ensuring ‘a supportive working environment that addresses key points in the creative cycle by which art is made’. 

The scheme will award grants of up to €50,000 towards workspace costs – i.e. the running costs of the workspace such as light, heat, rent, administration and/or appropriate management costs and artist development costs. A proportion of support up to a maximum of 20% of the total request may be directed towards essential repair and maintenance.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from the following:

• Workspace in the Republic of Ireland
• Workspaces dedicated to the support of professional visual artists
• Workspaces that accommodate at least four professional visual artists working on site.
• Workspaces proposing to collaborate to share resources for the benefit of the visual artists working in their spaces
• Organisations/Groups/Collectives that have an established workspace

Note: workspaces that are successful in their application to this scheme cannot have received or have applied to other Arts Council Awards or grant programmes for the same purpose. 

As part of its Equality, Human Rights and Diversity Policy, the Arts Council is committed to offering equality of access, opportunity and outcomes to all potential applicants regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community, or socio-economic background. In this funding scheme the Arts Council particularly welcomes applications that are representative of the diversity of Irish society, including but not limited to any of the characteristics outlined above, and/or initiatives that deliver equitable opportunities or outcomes for those involved.

Access Supports

If you have a disability and would like help applying, contact our Access Officer as early as possible before the deadline.

Phone:      

• 01 618 0200
•  
• 01 618 0243

Email: access@artscouncil.ie

You will be able to apply for additional costs if you have access needs relating to your application.

Note: applications will only be accepted through the Arts Council’s Online Services site. If you have not used Online Services before you must register for a login to be able to apply for funding.  It is important that you register as early as possible as it may take up to five working days for your registration to be processed.