Major boost for Meath artists as 2026 grants and bursaries launched
A comprehensive suite of arts funding supports for 2026 has been unveiled, offering new opportunities for artists, community groups, schools and festival organisers across Meath.
This year’s programme includes the Annual Arts Grant, the Creative Communities Award, the Drama League of Ireland Bursary, the Festival Grant Scheme and the Professional Artist Development Fund.
Together, the schemes aim to strengthen artistic activity in the county by supporting everything from grassroots participation to professional development.
The Annual Arts Grant continues to back local organisations, groups and individuals whose work contributes to long-term arts development, while the Creative Communities Award — supported by Creative Ireland — is designed to foster community arts projects and deepen collaboration with professional artists.
The 2026 Drama League of Ireland Bursary will provide funding for a week-long residential stay at the organisation’s summer school at the University of Limerick.
Festival organisers can apply to the Festival Grant Scheme, aimed at events demonstrating strong artistic programming, and professional practitioners are eligible for the Professional Artist Development Fund to advance their practice or create new work.
“The individual funding strands cover a wide range of disciplines, arts practices and activities and are intended to enable individuals, groups and organisations to develop and sustain their work in the arts throughout County Meath and are part of a suite of supports provided to artists in the county,” the Meath County Council Arts Office said.
“These supports have been strengthened in 2026 with additional funding from the Arts Council of Ireland and Creative Ireland.”
The deadline for all schemes is Thursday, February 12, 2026. Further details are available on the council website.