Elevate: Develop Your Practice Grant for Artists in Ireland

Elevate 2027: Develop your practice is a grant funded by the Arts Council and administered through the dlr Arts Office (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County). It supports professional artists to develop skills and run inclusive, collaborative arts practice with disabled people. The application deadline is Friday, 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (time zone not specified in the source). Opportunity at a Glance

- Opportunity name: Elevate 2027: Develop your practice

- Funding organization: Arts Council (administered via dlr Arts Office)

- Opportunity type: Arts/professional development grant

- Maximum grant amount: Up to €3,500

- Eligible applicants: Professional artists who live or work in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County

- Eligible location(s): Activities must take place in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County

- Project/activity period: January to December 2027

- Application deadline: Friday, 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM

- Application portal: dlr COCO Submit.com portal (application form on the opportunity page)

About the Opportunity

This grant funds artists to explore, learn, and improve their skills to work collaboratively with disabled people. It focuses on professional development and inclusive arts practice. Applications are welcomed from disabled artists, and the opportunity encourages proposals that champion inclusion and creativity. Funding and Benefits - Applicants can request a maximum of €3,500. - The grant is intended to support: - Research and development time for an idea. - Fees for professionals you will work with or learn from (e.g., more experienced artists or disability sector experts). - Time to develop peer and community relationships, such as new collaborators, local networks, disability services, and community organizations/agencies. - Other costs that help develop skills to work with disabled people through your arts practice. - The source does not specify whether there is a minimum award amount, reimbursement-only model, or co-funding requirement. Not specified in the source. Who Is Eligible?

- Eligible applicants: Professional artists who live or work in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County.

- Where activities must happen: Disability services/groups must meet in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County. Projects taking place outside the County will not be funded.

- Application limits and exclusions (as stated): - You can only apply for one arts grant. If applying for other Council grants, you must state this in your application. - The Arts Office will not fund arts activity you have already received Council funding for within the last 12 months. - If you or your group received an arts grant for 2026, you must have sent the required report/update; otherwise, the application will not be accepted. - Late applications will not be accepted. - Professional development through disabled collaboration: Proposals should relate to working collaboratively with disabled people through arts practice. - The source does not explicitly state whether organizations or groups (beyond “professional artists”) can apply. Based on the “Who can apply?” section, the grant is for professional artists. Not specified in the source if artist collectives apply as formal entities. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas Supported work must align with the grant’s focus on inclusive arts practice and professional development through collaboration with disabled people. The selection criteria also reference proposals that increase arts practice in the County “for and with disabled people,” including funding for artists in focused areas like disability. What the grant will fund (examples from the application guidance) - Research and development for an arts practice idea - Fees for professionals to support learning (artists and disability sector experts) - Building peer/community relationships (local networks, disability services, local community organizations/agencies) - Other skill-development costs, including access costs and related resources (examples provided in the budget guidance) Why This Opportunity Matters This grant is designed for professional artists in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County who want to strengthen their practice through collaboration with disabled people. It specifically supports early-stage professional development activities (research, planning, relationship-building, and expert input) that can deepen inclusive, community-connected arts practice. It also includes structured application and reporting expectations intended to help the Arts Office learn and improve future funding in this area. How to Apply

- Register if needed: If it is your first time applying on the portal, you will need to register on the dlr COCO Submit.com system.

- Review the guidance: Use the provided “Guide” to learn how to register and use the system (link text appears as “Guide” on the opportunity page).

- Complete the online application: When you click Apply, you will answer the listed questions (see below under “Application questions”).

- Upload your proposal materials:

- One-page proposal or short video (video no more than five minutes) - CV - Letter or email copy from any professional named in your application who states they are interested to work with you - Budget breakdown

- Submit before the deadline: Friday, 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM.

Application portal/source page: DLR COCO – Elevate 2027: Develop your practice (Submit.com)

Application questions included on the portal

The source lists the following questions:

- Name - Confirmation you have read the general guidelines and are eligible to apply - Confirmation you have only applied for one arts grant - Email address - Electoral ward you live or work in - CV - Upload your one-page proposal or short video (plan for the grant) - Letter or copy of email from any other professionals named in the application - Amount you are applying for - Budget breakdown of the amount you are applying for - Additional information (optional) - Whether you used AI in your application Who to contact for applica