Local arts boost to the tune of €3.5m in funding

TEN organisations in Limerick will receive a total of €3.5 million in funding from the Arts Council as part of its first round of funding decisions for 2025.

Eight organisations will benefit from Strategic Funding grants. The organisations awarded funding are: Limerick Printmakers (€84,500), Fresh Film (€125,000), Limerick City Gallery of Art (€181,260), Dance Limerick (€302,375), eva International (€396,750), Irish Aerial Creation Centre (€202,250), Sing Ireland (€402,000) and Irish Chamber Orchestra (€1,305,000).

The Lime Tree Theatre will be awarded €507,190 in Arts Centre funding and Spacecraft will receive €15,000, through the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme, supporting nine artists.

A total of 104 arts organisations received grants through the Strategically Funded programme, totaling €57.7 million. This funding programme is for organisations who make a significant impact to arts infrastructure in Ireland and have a national or regional reach. The grants will help arts organisations to support and develop the arts nationwide. These organisations support a variety of art forms including music, literature, theatre, dance and film.

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.

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“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.”  

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.

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.