Kildare County Council’s Arts Service announce 2026 Creative and Arts Grants and Bursary Awards

Kildare County Council has announced the 2026 Creative and Arts Grants and Bursary Awards.

These opportunities are designed to support artists, creatives, arts collectives, community groups and youth groups across County Kildare in the coming year.

Available Grants and Awards include:

• Arts Act Grant Scheme

• Arts, Health & Wellbeing Award

• Culture Night 2026 Commission Award

• Dennis O'Driscoll Literary Bursary Awards (for emerging and established writers)

• Drama League of Ireland Summer School Bursary Award

• Emerging Artist Solo Exhibition Award, in Partnership with Riverbank Arts Centre

• Executive Coaching for Creative Professionals Bursary Award

• First Fortnight Award, in Partnership with First Fortnight Festival

• Local Publishing Award

• Platform 4 Recording Studio Bursary Award

• Research and Thinking Bursary Award

• Short Grass Short Film Bursary Award (€1,500)

• Short Grass Short Film Commission Award (€14,000)

• Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency Bursary Award

• Youth Arts Residency Bursary Award

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Applications are now open and can be submitted through the online portal: https://kildarecocoarts.submit.com/

The closing date for most awards is Friday, February 27 2026 at 12pm. However, please note that the deadline for the Drama League of Ireland Summer School Bursary Award is earlier, at 12pm on Monday, January 26 2026.

Information Sessions 2026: To support applicants, Kildare County Council’s Arts Service will host a series of free information sessions at locations throughout the county:

Online: Wednesday, January 14, 1pm – 2 pm

Riverbank Arts Centre: Thursday January 15, 6 pm – 7.30 pm

Celbridge Library: Saturday January 17, 10.30 am – 12 pm