Longford County Council launches new artist collaboration award to support creative partnerships

Online information clinic to provide guidance for prospective applicants

Press Release: Monday, 16 March 2026 

Longford County Council has announced the establishment of a new Artist Collaboration Award, a funding initiative designed to support professional artists working together across disciplines to create, develop and present new work in County Longford. 

The award, which opened for applications at the beginning of February 2026 and closes on 16 April 2026, will provide grants of up to €5,000 to collaborative groups of artists. The initiative aims to strengthen creative partnerships while supporting the development of ambitious new projects for exhibition, performance, publication, and community engagement. 

An online information clinic will take place at 5pm on Thursday, 26 March 2026 to provide guidance for prospective applicants. 

Open to artists from all artforms, the programme recognises the growing importance of collaboration in contemporary arts practice. It has been designed specifically to support group projects that might not be fully accommodated through traditional individual bursary schemes. 

The award programme supports two main strands of activity: the development of new collaborative work, including research and experimentation, and the presentation of artistic work, including performances, exhibitions and community engagement initiatives. 

Eligible collaborations must involve three professional artists, with at least two artists ordinarily based in County Longford. A third collaborator may be based outside the county. Projects funded through the scheme must be completed by 31 March 2027. 

Applications will be assessed by an independent external expert panel, with proposals evaluated based on artistic quality, the track record of participating artists, the feasibility of the project, and the cultural benefit to County Longford. 

Longford County Council's Arts Officer Shane Crossan said, "Artists increasingly work together across disciplines and creative practices. This award provides meaningful support for those collaborations to take shape - from the early stages of research and development through to public presentation. It will help artists realise ambitious ideas while bringing new and engaging artistic experiences to audiences across Longford."

The programme also aims to support opportunities for Longford artists to promote their work nationally and internationally while strengthening the local arts ecosystem. 

For more information join the online information clinic at 5pm on Thursday, 26 March 2026. 

Further information and application details are available on www.longfordlibrary.ie/arts