Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, is encouraging arts, cultural and community organisations to consider applying for a new €6 million Arts Capital Investment Fund.
The new pilot scheme opens for applications on Thursday, 1 October 2026 and will support arts and culture facilities and organisations throughout the country to purchase equipment and undertake refurbishment works including climate action upgrades, health and safety upgrades and works to provide universal access.
It will also support community and voluntary groups with funding for equipment to increase participation in arts and culture.
Minister Canney said the fund represents an important opportunity to invest in organisations and facilities that play a valuable role in communities.
“Arts and cultural organisations bring people together and make a very real contribution to community life, often with a huge amount of voluntary effort behind them.
“This new fund will provide practical support to improve facilities, purchase equipment and make arts and culture more accessible to more people.”
Three categories of funding will be available to not-for-profit applicants:
- Category 1 – Equipment: Grants of up to €100,000 for arts and culture organisations or multi-use centres providing or developing dedicated arts and cultural facilities.
- Category 2 – Construction works: Grants of up to €200,000 for arts and culture organisations or multi-use centres providing or developing dedicated arts and cultural facilities. Equipment may also be included where necessary.
- Category 3 – Community participation: Grants of up to €15,000 for equipment to help community and voluntary groups increase participation in the arts.
A grant rate of up to 95% will apply, with a 70% rate applying to Local Authority-owned facilities under Categories 1 and 2.
Applicants may apply under one category only.
The scheme will remain open for 11 weeks, with applications closing on 18 December 2026.
Full eligibility criteria, guidelines and details on how to apply will be available from 1 October on the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport website: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/creative-arts-grants-and-funding/
