Funding and support for artists
This page contains information about support platforms, both financial and otherwise, available for children’s authors and illustrators.
The Arts Council is a government agency for developing the arts in Ireland. It works in partnership with artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life. The Arts Council offers a range of grants, funding and bursaries across art forms.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the development and funding agency for the Arts in Northern Ireland. They distribute public money and National Lottery funds to develop and deliver a wide variety of arts projects, events and initiatives across Northern Ireland. From theatre and literature to art in the community, they work in partnership with hundreds of artists, arts organisations and venues.
Culture Ireland promotes Irish arts worldwide. They create and support opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. They develop platforms to present outstanding Irish work to international audiences, through showcases at key global arts events, including the Edinburgh Festivals and the Venice Biennales.
IBbY Ireland, The Ireland Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (iBbY Ireland) is a non-profit organisation, which promotes children’s books at an international level. It endorses all the aims and objectives of the International Parent body, founded in 1953, of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together. IBbY Ireland is a membership organisation of interest to anyone interesting in promoting children’s books at an international level.
Illustrators Ireland is a non-profit organisation that supports the development of Illustration in Ireland by showcasing the work of their members and fostering links with similar organisations at home and abroad. As a professional organisation they aim to raise the profile of Irish illustration as a dynamic and cutting edge art form, as well as promoting the work and skills of our individual members. Application for membership is assessed by portfolio review.
ICLA – Public lending rights ICLA (Irish Copyright Licensing Agency) is a not-for-profit organisation, established in 1992 to ensure authors, visual creators and publishers are compensated for the copying of their published works. They issue licences for the re-use of print and digital works to educational establishments, businesses and other organisations, permitting copying within certain rules from a wide repertoire of Irish and overseas publication. Many authors are unaware that they can be compensated for use of their books in libraries under Public Lending Rights (PLR). Authos can also be compensated for the copying of their works in the UK, through an agency agreement between ICLA and PLR UK.
The purpose of the Irish Society for the Study of Children’s Literature is to promote academic research into children’s literature. Membership is open to scholars from Ireland and other countries, and to researchers at all career stages, including postgraduate students. They welcome members from a wide range of disciplines, including literature, history, education, psychology, sociology, women’s studies, and fine arts. They seek to foster a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of children’s literature.
The national resource centre for Irish literature, with a mission to support and promote writers at all stages of their development. It offers a diverse programme of writing courses and workshops led by established writers across a range of genres including memoir, poetry, playwriting, short-stories and the novel. The centre also runs seminars, lectures and readings related to the art of writing. Welcomes writers, readers and international visitors keen to develop their career as a writer.
The Irish Writers Union is the main advocacy body for Irish writers and it is open to Irish writers and writers of Irish interest publications, wherever they are based. They offer members publishing advice, contract advice and promotion via their website and social member channels. The union was founded in 1986 by authors wishing to organise as writers to resist censorship in Ireland and in general to provide a voice for the collective expression of writers on matters pertaining to their profession. The union is managed by a steering committee which is elected annually at the AGM.
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. Literature Ireland's translation grant programme allows international publishers to apply for a contribution towards the translation costs of a work of Irish literature* from English or Irish into another language.
The Writers in Schools scheme part-funds visits by writers and storytellers to primary and post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland (funded by The Arts Council) and Northern Ireland (funded by Arts Council Northern Ireland). The scheme requires writers to have at least one book published, and writers must be a member of the Writers in Schools directory to be eligible to take part in these events.
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a nonprofit organization, is the only professional organization specifically for individuals who write, illustrate, and translate for children and young adults. Their mission is to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books in every region of the world. Through their awards, events, and publications, they give established writers, illustrators, and translators the tools and resources to manage their careers, as well as educate those just starting out. SCBWI is also proud to serve as a consolidated voice for their members within the publishing industry.
The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig is a residential workplace for artists, dedicated to supporting and facilitating creativity within a welcoming, home-like and trusted environment. Annaghmakerrig belongs to the Irish State and as such the house and grounds are maintained by the Office of Public Works. Individual artist residencies are offered for a maximum period of one month in the Big House and two months in the self-catering Farmyard Cottages. Artists of all disciplines may apply to become a Tyrone Guthrie resident, via application.
Visual Artists Ireland provides practical support to visual artists in all art forms throughout their careers. It provides services, facilities and resources for artists, operates an artistic programme and acts as an advocate for the interests of artists. At their professional development page, users can find upcoming workshops on topics such as Filing Your Tax Return, Writing About Your Work, Developing Creative Proposals, and so on.
Words Ireland is a group of seven literature organisations, working to provide coordinated professional development and resource services to the literature sector. The aim is to increase oportunities for writers and illustrators at all stages of their careers. Words Ireland includes the provision of professional development opportunities, with a particular focus on mid-career and advanced career practitioners. Words Ireland provides mentoring and assessment services, as well as workshop opportunities and an online resource of complementary factsheets on practical topics such as pay, writers’ contracts, insurance and self-promotion.
An online resource for writers and readers, including articles, events and other supports, including services such as cover design, proof reading, typing services and web design.
