Cork County Council has announced funding of over €225,350 for 145 artists and arts organisations through its 2026 Arts Grants schemes. The schemes support arts projects, activities and events taking place in Cork County in 2026.
370 applications were submitted representing the largest number of applications ever received to the scheme, with a 46% increase on the number received in 2025. The number of artists and arts organisations supported this year has increased by approximately 17% compared to last year.
Cork County Council’s Arts Grants support artists, arts organisations, and community initiatives through 8 distinct funding schemes. In 2026, the Arts Grant Scheme is enabling 90 applicants to deliver arts activity across the county, while 8 projects are receiving support for development through the Irish language.
The Small Capital Investment Scheme will assist 17 organisations in upgrading equipment or improving their facilities. 14 community arts projects will be supported through the Creative Communities Scheme, and the newly introduced Artist in the Community Scheme will enable 5 artists to collaborate directly with local communities on projects.
Through the Creative Artist Bursary Scheme, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary, and the Ballinglen Arts Foundation Bursary, a total of 11 bursary and residency opportunities have been awarded to professional artists working across all disciplines.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added, “Cork County Council places great value on the arts and each year we are delighted to see the impressive outcomes that the arts grant scheme supports. The funding announced today will have a considerable impact on not only the artists and organisations receiving support, but also on placemaking, tourism, community, and economic growth.”
In 2025, events supported through the Arts Grants Scheme created 1,544 artist work opportunities, while a spend of €2.7 million was spent by the arts organisations Cork County Council supported on local goods and services. There was a huge growth in audiences with 27,898 children and adults actively participating in a creative activity which is a 46% increase when compared to 2024. Additionally, 272,138 people attended an arts event or festival enabled through the Arts Grants, which is a 52% increase when compared to 2024.
