The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has announced arts capital grant awards totaling €987,498 to five Local Authorities for the development of up to 22 new artist workspaces. This funding is provided under the Artist Workspaces Scheme, a €6 million capital investment initiative designed to increase the availability and capacity of affordable workspaces for artists and creative practitioners across Ireland.
Launched on 12 June 2024, the Artist Workspaces Scheme aims to support Local Authorities in delivering much-needed creative infrastructure. With this latest announcement, the total funding awarded under the scheme has reached €1,208,854. Funding allocations under the scheme provide up to €300,000 for densely populated areas and up to €150,000 for less densely populated regions. The scheme remains open until the full fund is exhausted.
The initiative aligns with the Government’s commitment under the Programme for Government and Project Ireland 2040 to expand affordable spaces for artists and ensure timely delivery of arts and culture capital investments. The scheme complements previous support, including the €3 million allocated to Dublin City Council in 2023 under the Space to Create Programme, which is helping to develop artist workspaces in several city centre locations.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan highlighted the importance of the funding, noting the ongoing shortage of affordable creative spaces as a significant barrier for artists. He emphasized that the latest investment will help address the critical need for performance and workspaces, enabling artists across the country to create, exhibit, and contribute to Ireland’s cultural landscape.
