The Arts Council defines a professional artists as ‘a person who is actively pursuing a career as an artist in any art form, and who considers their arts work as their main profession or career. This applies even if their work in the arts is not their main source of income or they have other employment.  

When applying to the Arts Council for funding, you will need to demonstrate through your CV that you have professional experience as a writer of creative work. This usually takes the form of publication with independent, recognised journals or publishers. 

If you haven't any professional experience writing creative work, we'd encourage you to engage with the many journals and publishers we support.  

Additionally, the following resource organisations may be able to help you as you establish yourself as a professional writer:  

Children's Books Ireland is the national children’s books organisation of Ireland. Through its activities and events, the organisation aims to engage young people with books, foster a greater understanding of the importance of books for young people and act as a core resource for those with an interest in books for children in Ireland.  You can read more about them here: http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/

Irish Writers' Centre, located on Parnell Square in Dublin, is the national organisation for writers and writing in Ireland. You can read more about them here: http://www.writerscentre.ie/

Literature Ireland is the national agency in Ireland for the promotion of Irish literature abroad. They work to build an international awareness and appreciation of contemporary Irish literature, primarily in translation:  https://www.literatureireland.com/

Munster Literature Centre, based in Frank O'Connor's former home in Cork City, is dedicated to the promotion and celebration of literature, especially that of Munster. To this end, the organisation organises festivals, workshops, readings and competitions. You can read more about them here: http://www.munsterlit.ie/

Poetry Ireland is the national organisation for poetry in Ireland and is dedicated to developing, supporting and promoting poetry through Ireland. You can read more about them here: http://www.poetryireland.ie/

Words Ireland is a grouping of seven literature organisations who have worked together collaboratively since 2015 to provide coordinated professional development and resource services to the literature sector.  You can read more about them here: https://wordsireland.ie/

While there is some overlap between the Literature Bursary Award and the Next Generation Award, they are distinct awards, with distinct purposes. The Literature Bursary is focused on ‘buying time’ and allows writers and picture book illustrators time to think, reflect and develop their practice. The Next Generation Artist Award is a unique opportunity for a group of artists that are at a critical or transformative point in their careers. It combines the time and space that a bursary provides with a residential programme with artists across all disciplines.   

The Literature Bursary Award is assessed initially by the Literature Adviser, and shortlisted applications are considered by a peer panel with expertise in literature. In most cases, the panel consists of a prose fiction writer, a poet, a children’s/YA writer/illustrator and a literary editor. 

In Round 2 of the 2021 Literature Bursary (English language), we received 141 eligible applications. 54 applications were shortlisted and 46 were awarded funding. 

Literature applicants for the Next Generation Artists Award are assessed initially by the Literature adviser, and shortlisted applicants are considered by a multi-disciplinary peer panel, along with shortlisted applications from other artforms and arts practices. 

Out of the 188 eligible applications received for Next Generation 2021, 34 were literature applications. 8 of these Literature applications were shortlisted, and 2 received funding. 

The Literature Project Award is open to organisations and individuals and supports projects that connect literature with readers and audiences. This award supports discrete activities and outcomes, rather than a series of events or activities and should have a defined beginning and end; ongoing activities can be supported through a number of other Arts Council funding programmes, including Strategic Funding and Arts Grants Funding. 

Applicants can apply for up to €30,000  

For further information please visit our website here

*Writers wishing to ‘buy time’ to develop a specific piece of writing should apply to the Literature Bursary or Agility Award.  

The Writer in Residence scheme was established to provide a stimulating university environment for the resident artist and afford them a degree of financial support to concentrate on their own practice. The residency brings energy and dynamism to the university and allows students and faculty to engage with a practicing artist for a concentrated period. The Arts Council currently has 7 writers in residence, which you can read about here:https://www.artscouncil.ie/Arts-in-Ireland/Literature/Third-level-Writer-Residencies-and-Fellowships/

We will be advertising our 2023 Writer in Residence opportunities in the late summer, on our website and with our university partners.