PICTURES: Laois artistic community given boost with new grants available

Laois groups and individuals were given the chance to learn about the grants available from Laois County Council for creative and artistic projects at two recent information sessions. Photographer Michael Scully attended the event in Portlaoise Parish Centre.  CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

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Applications are now open for a wide selection of grants including a €10,000 award for The Laois Short Film Bursary.
Laois County Council Arts Service recently hosted an information session on upcoming grants and funding opportunities at the Portlaoise Parish Centre as well as an online meeting.

A new Artists’ Studio Residency Awards have been introduced for the Laois Arthouse. This offers two artists a three-month residency and a bursary of €1000. Artists living in Co Laois will receive a studio, and an artist from outside of the county will receive a studio plus apartment. A public event must be delivered as part of the residency. Facilities include an exhibition space, kiln, garden, public library and WIFI and support from the Arts Office.

The Tyrone Guthrie Residency Awards 2026 will offer two one week residencies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan. It is open to artists living in Laois or from Laois. The awards are open to artists in all art forms and are selected based on previous achievements and projects in hand.

Expressions of interest for inclusion on the Artists in Schools Panel 2026-2030 is being established for artists interested in delivering programmes to primary and post-primary schools. The expression of interest should include a Curriculum Vitae, an A4 sheet outlining what the artist is proposing and 6-8 images for consideration on the panel. This scheme gives primary and post primary schools the opportunity to work with professional artists. The fee is €2500, including preparation and class contact time.

The Laois Short Film Bursary offers an award of €10,000. The film must be made in Laois and include a Laois writer or filmmaker. The applications are adjudicated by industry professionals.

The closing dates for all the above grants and opportunities is Friday, February 27 and all information and application forms are on www.laois.ie/arts-and-culture.

Please contact The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise for further information. Email: arts@laoiscoco.ie, Phone: 057 8664033/05768664109.