Breaking: Funding of €1.4 million for Kilkenny arts organisations

Funding of €1.45 million has been announced by the Arts Council for six Kilkenny-based organisations.

The Strategic Funding grants recipients are KCAT (€99,000), Young Irish Film Makers (€95,000), Butler Gallery (€535,300) and the Kilkenny Arts Festival (€584,000).  

The Watergate Theatre will receive €135,000 through Arts Centre funding while an Chead Tine Art Organisationwill receive €7,500, supporting eight artists, through the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme.  

Applications for funding to the Arts Council are continuing to rise with an unprecedented amount of grant support sought, now at 245% that of 2019 levels. The gap between the amount of funding offered and the amount requested is also at a record level.   

 In its 2025 awards, the Arts Council will prioritise support to the arts organisational infrastructure, while continuing its investment in individual artists, focusing on those not previously supported by the organisation in line with its inclusion objectives.  

  Chair of the Arts Council, Maura McGrath said: “The Art Council’s budget for 2025 will be used to support, strengthen and help develop arts organisations across the country. This first round of funding decisions for 2025 will help allow artists, audiences and communities to come together through the unifying power of art. However, we recognise the difficulties and challenges that the current level of available funding brings. We commit to advocating for increased funding for our sector.”  

 Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, commented,“Grant supports are vital to the continued growth and development of the arts in Ireland. These funding decisions will help ensure that organisations throughout the country are empowered to realise compelling visions across all artforms. This financial support will allow people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with and experience the very best of the arts in our country.”   

All recipients of this funding will play a role in sustaining and developing the arts in Ireland. These organisations, centres and studios provide an organisational infrastructure for the arts sector and have been awarded grants following an application process and in line with Arts Council strategic goals. Specific criteria against which applications from organisations are assessed are artistic quality and development of the arts, public engagement, organisational capacity, the importance of the organisation in the arts infrastructure and their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.