Apply for Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grants 2027 (Ireland)

Deadline: 28-Oct-2026

The Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grants support artistic projects that engage local communities and neighbourhoods within the Dublin City Council administrative area through collaboration between professional artists and local partners. The programme brings together professional artists, community groups, voluntary organisations, neighbourhood groups, arts organisations, and residents to create and present artistic work that benefits local communities. Applicants may request between €2,000 and €10,000, with funding awarded on a competitive basis.

About the Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grants

The grants are designed to strengthen community engagement through collaboration between professional artists and local communities. The programme supports a wide range of artistic disciplines as defined by the Arts Act 2003. Projects should bring together artists and local partners to develop and deliver artistic activities that contribute to neighbourhoods within the Dublin City Council area. Two Grant Strands

The programme has two strands:

- Arts Presentation in Local Settings - Artist-Community Collaboration Each strand supports a different approach to developing and presenting artistic work with local communities and partners. Arts Presentation in Local Settings This strand supports the presentation of artistic work in partnership with local venues or community organisations. It provides an opportunity for professional artists and local partners to work together to bring artistic activity into community settings. Projects must have a clearly identified local host or community organisation involved in the development and delivery of the activity. Artist-Community Collaboration The Artist-Community Collaboration strand supports projects developed jointly by professional artists and specific community partners. The approach encourages artists and communities to work together in developing and delivering artistic projects that respond to local interests and strengthen community participation. A named professional artist and clearly identified community partner must be involved in the project. Professional Artist Requirement All projects must involve at least one named professional artist. The professional artist should be actively involved in the development and delivery of the proposed project. The requirement ensures that the programme supports artistic activity involving professional creative practitioners. Local Host or Community Partner Projects must also have a clearly identified local host or community partner. The local partner must be actively engaged in the project’s: - Development. - Planning. - Delivery. This requirement encourages genuine collaboration between professional artists and the communities participating in the project. Community and Neighbourhood Engagement The grants aim to support projects that connect artistic activity with local communities and neighbourhoods.

Projects can bring together:

- Professional artists. - Community groups. - Voluntary organisations. - Neighbourhood groups. - Arts organisations. - Local residents. Through these collaborations, the programme seeks to strengthen community engagement and support the creation and presentation of artistic work at a local level. How Much Funding Is Available? Applicants may request between €2,000 and €10,000. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis. The amount requested must remain within the programme’s funding limits. Applicants should ensure that their proposed budgets and activities comply with the requirements of the grant scheme. Equitable Payment of Artists and Arts Workers Applications must demonstrate equitable payment of artists and arts workers involved in the proposed project. Applicants should therefore include appropriate payment arrangements in their project planning and budget. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Individual professional artists. - Community groups. - Voluntary groups. - Neighbourhood groups. - Arts organisations. Applicants must be based within the Dublin City Council area. Project Location All proposed activities must take place within the Dublin City Council administrative area. Applicants should ensure that the location and delivery of their proposed artistic activities meet this requirement. Eligible Artistic Activities The programme supports a wide range of artistic disciplines as defined by the Arts Act 2003. Projects can focus on the presentation or collaborative development of artistic work, provided they meet the requirements of the relevant grant strand and involve the required professional artist and local partner. Competitive Funding The grants are awarded through a competitive process. Applicants should present clearly defined projects that demonstrate meaningful collaboration between professional artists and local partners. The proposed activities must also meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for funding. Key Facts About the Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grants

- Programme: Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grants

- Funder: Dublin City Council

- Location: Dublin City Council administrative area

- Funding: €2,000–€10,000

- Funding basis: Competitive

- Main focus: Community and neighbourhood arts projects

- Grant strands: Arts Presentation in Local Settings and Artist-Community Collaboration

- Professional artist requirement: At least one named professional artist

- Local partner requirement: Clearly identified local host or community partner

- Collaboration: Professional artists and local communities/partners

- Eligible applicants: Individual professional artists, community groups, voluntary groups, neighbourhood groups, and arts organisations

- Artistic scope: Artistic disciplines defined by the Arts Act 2003

- Artist payment: Equitable payment of artists and arts workers required

- Project location: All activities must take place within the Dublin City Council administrative area

Frequently Asked Questions About the Neighb