Grants and Opportunities from Laois County Council for local creatives
Laois County Council Arts Service hosted two information sessions on upcoming grants and funding opportunities
Laois County Council has announced details of grants and opportunities to support the development and presentation of creative and artistic projects in the county in 2026. Applications will be accepted from individuals, groups and organisations.
Laois County Council Arts Service hosted two information sessions on upcoming grants and funding opportunities. The first information session took place in-person at the Portlaoise Parish Centre on Tuesday 20th January at the Portlaoise Parish Centre and the second was online on Wednesday 21st 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 Laois County Council. The average award is €300, and the maximum amount payable will not exceed €1000. The budget has increase to €10,000.
The Tyrone Guthrie Residency Awards 2026 will offer two one week’s residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County 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 Artists in Schools Panel 2026-2030 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 €2500, including preparation and class contact time.
The Laois Short Film Bursary 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 Artists’ Studio Residency Awards have been introduced for the Laois Arthouse. This offers two artists a three-month residency and a bursary of €1000. Artists living in Co 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 WIFI and support from the Arts Office.
The closing dates for all the above grants and opportunities is Friday 27th February and all information and application forms are on www.laois.ie/arts-and-culture
Additional grants and opportunities in 2026 include the Irish Writers Centre National mentoring Programme. Independent Theatre Artist Bursary to attend the Performing Arts Forum Gathering in Belfast, The Spectacle Skills Training in Longford and First Music Contact, online training opportunities for musicians. These have different closing dates than the above opportunities.
Please contact The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois for further information. Email: arts@laoiscoco.ie, Phone: 057 8664033/05768664109