Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grants 2026
Applications are now open. The closing date for applications is 12 noon, on Tuesday 4 November 2025
Click here to download the full Dublin City Arts Office Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grant Guidelines
The Neighbourhood Grants Scheme aims to support local arts activity within the Dublin City Council administrative area. Dublin City Council want artists and local communities to have opportunities to work closely together, including through long-term developmental projects and short-term interactions in the context of local events and festivals. Through the Neighbourhood Grant artists and communities are invited to propose projects that engage in collaborative activities benefitting local communities and neighbourhoods. Specific groups should be identified to ensure both socially inclusive and culturally diverse interests are addressed by the grant.
In 2026, the Neighbourhood Grants will be divided into 2 strands:
- Strand 1 – In Strand 1, the Neighbourhood Grants Scheme will support the presentation of artistic work across all disciplines in the local context i.e. supporting presentation by artists at festivals, events and local venues such as plays, concerts, outdoor events, exhibitions etc
- Strand 2 – In Strand 2, the Neighbourhood Grants will support arts projects or programmes that begin with residents or community groups interested in the arts or with artists interested in working with neighbourhoods or community groups. All projects must have strong collaboration between artists and participants. Both artist and participating group need to be shown to be involved in the application. Community groups can include communities of place, practice or interest.
Funding will also be available under the Voluntary Grant strand:
- Voluntary grants support arts programmes or projects by voluntary organisations or groups engaging professional artists that significantly advance the artistic ambition of the organisation or groups activities. Voluntary grants are suitable for organisations engaging a professional artist for a series of workshops, once off engagements or other collaborative activities.
All applications are assessed in a competitive context and with consideration of the application form and the supporting materials submitted.
Quality and Artistic Ambition of the Project proposed (40%)
1. Artistic ambition and quality of the Project idea.
2. Involvement and track record of the professional artists(s) involved.
3. Artist fees should align with professional practice.
Feasibility of the Project in Confirmed and Potential Resources (30%)
1. Level and involvement of participating groups in project design and management
2. Track record and experience of the organisation or group
3. Letter confirming any additional funding
4. Letter confirming all collaborations
5. Detailed project outline and realistic timeline
Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion (30%)
1. If applicable, policy documents provided
2. Collaboration with underserved communities/individuals
3. Collaboration and inclusion of diverse practitioners and artists
4. Partnership with organisations that increase your knowledge and skills in the area of diversity
Download our Neighbourhood / Voluntary Award 2026 Submittable Guidance Document below which explains the application questions in greater detail. We recommend printing this and keeping it beside you through the process.
Our team of Arts Officers offer information sessions ahead of the Arts Grants deadline each year.
The aim of our information sessions is to provide help and guidance with all aspects of the online application process. The information session will be led by the Arts Officer Team. The session consists of a 25-minute walk-through of the application form, followed by 20 minutes of questions and answers.
The Neighbourhood / Voluntary Arts Grants information session took place on Thursday 25 September at 10am
To view the information session, please click the following link: https://vimeo.com/1121823132
No applications will be accepted later than the official deadline.
Your application will be processed by members of the Arts Office Administrative team. Any applications that clearly fall outside the eligibility guidelines and criteria may be eliminated at this point. Dublin City Council reserves the right to redirect applications for consideration to appropriate categories other than those applied for, should it be deemed beneficial to the applicant to so do.
All applications will be considered by the Arts Officer Team reporting to the City Arts Officer. Independent assessors with relevant experience and expertise support the Art Officer Team who will make recommendations on all eligible applications.
Assessment of Neighbourhood, Voluntary & Community Mentoring Applications will be supported by the Area Offices of Dublin City Council through their Community Development section. All applications will then be assessed by a sub-committee of Elected Members of Dublin City Council from the Strategic Policy Committee.
An external assessor reviews the application process before the applications are submitted to the elected members. When approved by the sub-committee of elected members, final approval is sought from full meetings of the elected members of Dublin City Council.
The public presentation, or parts thereof, of your application must take place in the Dublin City Council Administrative Area. Click here for map.
The company, artist or team shall ensure that there is compliance with all statutory requirements and local authority bye laws including adherence to Child Protection Policy.
Recipients of grants of €5,000 or more will have to comply with the 5 key principles of the Governance Code for Community, Voluntary and Charitable organisations. For an outline of the 5 key principles see: governancecode.ie
Recipients of grants of €10,000 or more will have to supply a current tax clearance certificate or tax clearance access number prior to first instalment and for subsequent payments of the Arts Grant.
Dublin City Council is subject to provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 1997, 2003. If you consider that any information supplied by you is either commercially sensitive or confidential in nature, this should be highlighted and the reasons for sensitivity specified. In such cases, the relevant material will, in response to an FOI request, be examined in the light of the exemptions provided for in the Acts.
For feedback, please email: artsoffice@dublincity.ie Requests must be made no later than 20 days subsequent to the City Council meeting approving Arts Grants.
All applications must be made through Submittable.
