Exploring & Thinking Bursary 2025-26

Introduction
Exploring and thinking is a collaborative framework for early childhood arts in the Dublin region. It came about in 2016 when the four Dublin local authorities South Dublin County, Fingal County, Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County partnered for the first time to collectively consider early childhood arts provision in the Dublin region.

Background
Each Dublin Local Authority supports early childhood arts practice, provision, partnership and policy that is responsive to local motivations and need.

In 2016 the project partners received funding under the Arts Council’s Invitation to Collaboration Scheme, which supports innovative and ambitious local authority collaborations. The Exploring & Thinking 2016 / 2017 partnership commissioned the research and creation of new artworks with local engagement programmes in arts and non-traditional arts venues.

In January 2019 the partnership hosted a public sharing event at the National Concert Hall to share the commissioned work and reflect on early childhood arts practice with artists, educators and policy makers. A publication capturing a review of the commissioning process, outputs and impacts of the collaborative framework, alongside additional research conducted among the artists and key personnel was presented on the day. Informed by the review and feedback from the public sharing event, the Exploring & Thinking Bursary Awards aim to support emerging and established artists that wish to develop a practice in early childhood arts.

The first Exploring & Thinking Bursary Awards were allocated in 2019, funding a range of supports for artists. In 2025 the partnership initiated talks with the Dublin Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs) with the aim of increasing opportunities for children to access and benefit from arts engagement. Now we invite artists to seek support to further develop their practice in 2026.

Bursary Awards
In 2025, one Bursary Award will be granted per local authority involved. This means there are a total of four Awards available.

Bursary Range
One Bursary Award will be granted per local authority. Bursary Range 
€4,000—€5,000

Applications
Applications should be submitted via: https://dlrcoco.submit.com/