Theatre Forum is now Performing Arts Forum

Performing Arts Forum is delighted to be working with Local Authority Arts Offices and other Arts Organisations to offer bursaries for independent arts practitioners to attend The Gathering in Limerick on 27 & 28 May 2025.

Now in its third year, our Independent Artist Bursaries are back for our Limerick Gathering (more information about The Gathering here).

Since launching these bursaries, support from participating local authorities has doubled—ensuring more independent artists can take part in this vital sectoral gathering.

Hundreds of artists, arts workers and arts organisations from arts centres and production companies, festivals and funders are getting together in Limerick for two days of conversation, provocation, and inspiration. Sessions will take place in The Lime Tree Theatre and will be followed on the first evening by an artistic programme highlighted artists based in the area before everyone meets at Dolan’s for evening of food and music.

Applicants must be based and working in Ireland. Please see the individual county applications below for their conditions for applying.

Applications Open from 10am Tuesday February 2025 (unless otherwise stated)

Deadline to apply: Friday 28 March 2025*.

* Please note that the bursaries will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and in some cases a panel selection.


Each Artist Bursary will cover*:

  • Ticket to Performing Arts Forum Limerick Gathering includes all day sessions, two lunches, dinner, coffee breaks and the artistic programme
  • Artist Honorarium of €150 Accommodation and Travel Contribution of €150 (To be arranged by the artist – see here for details of accommodation deals).
  • The artist will receive €300 (artist honorarium and accommodation and travel contribution) on 30 May

* Please note that some of the conditions and support may differ from local authority to local authority. Please read the notes at the beginning of each form as to what is included in financial support, all of which are marked with a † symbol.

Please see the list of bursaries available below:


Host County Independent Artist Bursaries (Limerick)

  • Limerick City & County Council x 6 – Apply Here †

Independent Artist Bursaries (Nationwide)

  • Carlow County Council – x 1 – Apply Here
  • Cavan County Council – x 2 – Apply Here
  • Clare County Council – Application Link Will Open Soon
  • Cork City Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Dublin City Council x 3 – Apply Here
  • Dun Laoghaire & Rathdown County Council  x 2 – Apply Here
  • Fingal County Council x 4 – Apply Here
  • Galway City Council x 5 – Apply Here 
  • Galway County Council x 1 – Apply Here
  • Kildare County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Kilkenny County Council x 1 – Apply Here 
  • Laois County Council x 1 – Apply Here
  • Longford County Council x 3 – please mail artsoffice@longfordcoco.ie for application form
  • Louth County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Mayo County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Meath County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Monaghan County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Offaly County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Roscommon County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • South Dublin County Council x 3 – Application Link Will Open Soon
  • Tipperary County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Westmeath County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Wexford County Council x 2 – Apply Here
  • Wicklow County Council x 2 – Apply Here

Organisation Artist Bursaries (Members)

  • Theatre for Young Audiences Ireland (TYAI) x 3 – Apply Here

Contact

  • If your city or county council is not listed above, please contact your local arts office directly for further support.
  • If any further local authorities or membership organisations would like to get involved, please email Paul at paul@performingartsforum.ie