Twenty-eight artists and arts organisations in Galway are set to receive a total of €2,285,491 in funding from the 2026 Arts Grant Funding Scheme facilitated by The Arts Council.
The Arts Council has announced the recipients of its 2026 Arts Grant Funding scheme, with 218 artists and organisations across the country set to receive a total of €17.1 million in support. The number of awards marks an increase from 194 successful applicants last year, reflecting both growing demand and continued investment in Ireland’s arts infrastructure.
Galway artists and organisations are well represented among this year’s awardees, with 28 recipients across the city and county receiving support totalling more than €2.2 million.
Notable Galway recipients include Branar Dramaiochta Teo, awarded €220,000; Decadent Theatre Company, receiving €180,000; and Brú Theatre, awarded €133,000. Festivals such as Clifden Community Arts Week (€135,000 ), the Cúirt International Festival of Literature (€132,200 ), and the Galway Theatre Festival (€104,000 ) also feature prominently on the list.
Further recipients include 126 Artist-Run Gallery (€35,500 ), Architecture at the Edge (€95,000 ), Futa Fata (€59,500 ), and The Journal of Music (€75,500 ), among others.
Arts Grant Funding is described as one of The Arts Council’s "key competitive schemes", aimed at supporting individuals and organisations working across a range of artforms. Through its funding, the Council enables recipients to carry out multiple activities over a set period, ensuring high-quality arts programming is delivered in communities throughout the country.
This round of funding comes as the Arts Council experiences unprecedented demand, with 7,568 eligible applications received across all of its funding schemes last year.
Commenting on the announcement, Arts Council Chair Maura McGrath said the scheme is a cornerstone of the organisation’s work. “Arts Grant Funding is a vital strand of our broader investment in the national arts infrastructure,” she said. “It enables ambitious, sustained artistic work that connects communities across Ireland. As demand continues to grow, we're proud to support this year's recipients—but we also know many strong applications could not be funded. We will continue to advocate for the increased resources our vibrant sector urgently needs.”
The Arts Council said it remains committed to supporting the sector despite growing pressure on resources and will "continue to advocate for increased public investment in the arts".
The full list of recipients is available at www.artscouncil.ie
