The Arts Council announces €1.2 Million in Creative Production Supports to enhance the independent arts sector   

The Arts Council is proud to announce the recipients of the Creative Production Supports Scheme 2025–26, with a total investment of €1.2 million. The three organisations, based in Dublin, Galway and Wicklow will benefit from the Scheme, which will increase the number of skilled producers working across artforms and foster strong connections with artists who need their support.   

Recipients of the Scheme, which is now in its third year, will devise ways to increase the number of producers working in the sector, develop those producers’ skillsets and connect those producers to the artists who need them.   

The pilot scheme, which ran in 2021-2022, highlighted the transformative impact that early engagement with creative producers can have on an artist’s development.   

These Creative Production Supports focus on the development of producers and are vital connection points between artists, audiences, and opportunities—we’re not just supporting individual projects, but strengthening the entire ecosystem. The inclusion of visual arts and disability-led production reflects our ongoing commitment to address a changing artistic landscape and so ensure that great art can thrive in every corner of Ireland.

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council

The 2025–26 Creative Production Supports recipients are: 

Branar’s Meitheal Programme (Galway) 

Focus: Children and Young People’s Arts 

Branar, one of Ireland’s leading theatre companies for young audiences, will deliver Meitheal, a programme dedicated to high-quality performing arts for children nationwide.  Through mentorship, strategic partnerships, and activities such as residencies, masterclasses, and international collaborations—Meitheal will empower independent artists and producers to achieve sustainable artistic practices. 

Kunstverein Projects: Creative Producer Programme (Wicklow) 

Focus: Visual Arts 

Kunstverein Projects will establish a national network of highly skilled Creative Producers in the visual arts.  This 18-month programme will support producers to work closely with leading artists and expand Ireland’s visual arts production capacity. The project will be led by independent curator Kate Strain. 

Disrupt Accessible Production Programme (Dublin) 

Focus: Multidisciplinary Arts / Disability Arts 

Hosted by the Disrupt Disability Arts Festival, this programme will revolutionise the role of producers with lived experience of disability.  The initiative includes mentorship, cross-artform research, international placements, and creative access workshops covering areas such as audio description, assistive technology, and ISL literacy.  Disrupt’s layered approach will embed accessibility across Ireland’s arts sector while training the next generation of disability arts producers.