Photos by Andres Poveda.
“PICTURED TODAY at St Patrick’s Park in Dublin to announce the recipients of the Arts Council’s 2026 Arts Grant Funding scheme are: Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan; Arts Council Chair Maura McGrath; and aerial artists and Arts Grant Funding recipients Henrik Gard and Ali Stanger.
Four arts organisations across County Louth are to share €382,475 in Arts Council funding for artistic activity taking place during 2027.
The funding has been awarded through the Arts Council’s Arts Grant Funding scheme, with recipients in Louth spanning music, opera and participatory arts.
The four Louth recipients are:
- Drogheda International Music Series, Music: €44,075
- Louth Contemporary Music Ltd, Music: €98,400
- Opera Collective Ireland, Opera: €160,000
- Upstate Theatre Project, Participatory Arts: €80,000
Together, the four awards account for the county’s full €382,475 allocation under the scheme.
For Drogheda, the inclusion of Drogheda International Music Series and the wider investment in arts activity across Louth provides further support for the cultural programme available to audiences and artists in the North East.
€17.2 million awarded nationally
Nationally, 220 organisations and individuals have been awarded a combined €17.2 million through Arts Grant Funding.
The scheme supports organisations and individuals carrying out multiple artistic activities over a fixed period, including work for public audiences as well as supports for artists.
Funding announced through the latest round will support artistic activity across different artforms throughout 2027.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the announcement.
“Congratulations to the 220 recipients of this year’s Arts Grant Funding,” he said.
“This significant investment in artists and arts audiences demonstrates the State’s continuing commitment to supporting and uplifting Ireland’s robust creative culture. It ensures the ongoing development of the arts in communities and localities across the country.”
Supporting artists and audiences
Arts Council Chair Maura McGrath said Arts Grant Funding plays an important role in supporting artistic activity around the country.
“The reach of the Arts Council extends nationwide. As one of the Arts Council’s key funding schemes, Arts Grant Funding supports the activities of artists and organisations across the country.
It contributes to a vibrant artistic ecosystem, ensuring artist development and supporting places for showing and creating art, while connecting communities, schools, arts centres and local authorities.
We are proud to support this year’s recipients and look forward to the impact of their work.
