Max HeyraudIreland’s Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has announced €377,336 in capital funding for the development of up to five new artist workspaces across three local authorities.
The funding comes through the Artist Workspaces Scheme, a €6 million capital investment programme designed to increase the availability of affordable creative spaces across Ireland. The scheme supports local authorities in developing workspaces where artists and creative practitioners can work, experiment and collaborate.
Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan said the latest investment would provide artists with “secure, affordable spaces” to create and develop new work, describing the funding as an investment in Ireland’s creative communities.
“There is a lack of artist workspaces throughout the country,” O’Donovan said, encouraging local authorities that have not yet applied to make use of the scheme.
The programme forms part of the Government’s wider commitment to expanding affordable workspace for artists and creative practitioners, alongside capital investment outlined under Project Ireland 2040
For artists, musicians and other creative practitioners, the expansion of dedicated workspace addresses a long-running issue around access to affordable places to work and develop projects, particularly in areas where commercial property costs can make permanent studios difficult to sustain.
