Elevate is designed to enable artists to explore their creative practices and develop new work, including ideas that may be at an early or exploratory stage and may not otherwise have the opportunity to be realised.
Through Elevate, bursaries are awarded to artists to further develop their practice, explore new creative directions, and/or transform early concepts into fully realised works of art. The bursaries provide funding, research time, and mentorship to support the development of ambitious new work, with awards typically ranging from €5,000 to €10,000.
A total of seven bursaries will be awarded:
- Two bursaries of €10,000
- Five bursaries of €5,000
Of the seven bursaries available:
- One bursary is designated for artists working in, or developing research related to, environmental sustainability or climate change.
- Two bursaries are designated for artists who have lived experience of displacement or intergenerational migration, or who are from historically marginalised communities or groups.
Applicants should clearly state if they wish to be considered for one of the above designated bursaries.
These bursaries are open to artists, collectives, and groups based in Galway City and County. Applications are welcomed across all art forms, with the aim of supporting projects that reflect and represent the diversity of contemporary Ireland.
The bursary provides support for artists’ time, research, materials, mentorship, training, or production costs. Elevate also furthers Galway International Arts Festival’s commitment to supporting artists to live and work in the Galway region, helping to develop sustainable creative practices and ambitious, long-term careers.
Applications from those currently underrepresented in the Irish arts sector are strongly encouraged. This includes, but is not limited to, artists of colour, members of the Traveller community, artists who identify as LGBTQ+, migrants, and artists with disabilities. Applications are welcome at all career stages.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must be an artist, company, or ensemble from, or living and working in, Galway City or County.
Applicants should submit one Word or PDF document containing the following:
- A summary of the proposed project (maximum 750 words)
- A budget in support of the proposed project
- A list of all those involved, including brief biographies (maximum 150 words each) and links to no more than three previous projects
Applications are now being accepted and should be emailed to submissions@giaf.ie with ELEVATE OPEN CALL 2026 clearly stated in the subject line.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 6PM, FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2026
Applications will be assessed by representatives from Galway International Arts Festival alongside two independent assessors. Decisions will be made using the following criteria:
- Artistic quality (30%)
- Ambition and vision (30%)
- Feasibility of the proposal (20%)
- Potential impact of the award on the development of the applicant’s practice (20%)
Applications should be sent to submissions@giaf.ie by 6PM, FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2026
Successful applicants will be notified by email by Friday 10 April 2026.
For further information or queries, please contact submissions@giaf.ie
Before You Apply
If you are considering applying for an Elevate Bursary, we encourage you to take time to reflect on how the award could support your practice at this stage. Proposals do not need to be fully formed, and we welcome ideas that are exploratory or at an early stage of development.
You may wish to consider:
- What you would like to develop or explore through this bursary
- How the support (time, research, mentorship, production) would benefit your work
- Why this opportunity is timely for you or your collaborators
Support for Applicants
Galway International Arts Festival is committed to making this Open Call as accessible as possible. If you have access requirements or would like to discuss alternative submission formats, please get in touch in advance of the deadline.
For any questions about eligibility, the application process, or the bursary itself, applicants are welcome to contact submissions@giaf.ie.
After You Apply
All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of application. Successful applicants will be notified by email by Friday 20 April 2026.
Galway International Arts Festival Elevate Former Recipients
2024 – 2025
Interface
Sapling - artists in residence response to the Woodland Symposium. Artists included Anne Marie Deacy, Clare Henderson, Jenni Nikkinmaa, Laney Mannion and Aoife Carry.
TaleGate and ArtFarm Collective
Digital Media Voices Unleashed – a digital project exploring Galway’s living bog.
Arts Alive and Jane Cassidy
Tactile Tunes – an interactive music installation designed to encourage music-making among people of all abilities, presented at GIAF 2025.
Galway Podcast Collective
Supporting Between Every Wave Lies an Ocean - a podcast series exploring modern Ireland through the lens of diversity.
Brú Theatre
Scothscéalta - a site-specific physical theatre, bilingual, with an emphasis on the Irish language, celebrating Padraic O’Conaire’s seminal work which premieres at GIAF 2026.
Lara Clifford, Caoimhe Walshe, Beibhinn Delaney and Marie-Caroline Kawa
Faith in the Future - developing research in the area of environmental sustainability/climate change by focussing on adaptive re-use of existing buildings, and the use of Irish wool in crafts.
Project Space
A Platform for All - a temporary initiative addressing shortage of venues in Galway by transforming an unused retail space into a safe, equipped venue for diverse arts events.
Leon Butler, Pete Power and Aisling Murray
Dwelling – supporting the development of an XR Dance performance and digital art installation.
Bernard [Bernie] McDonagh, Winnie Mongan and Winnie Stokes
Research and training for a project which explores elements of Traveller culture.
Moonfish Theatre
To support the development process of their adaptation of Oein deBhairduin's collection of Traveller folktales, Why the Moon Travels which premiered at GIAF 20256.
Fionnuala Doyle Wade, Peadar-Tom Mercier, Becky Ní Éallaithe and Roberta Ceginskaite Developing a dance project that explores the textures and physicality of the Galway coastline.
Outset Gallery
Atomic 2025 - a multidisciplinary arts project designed to merge art, music and education into an accessible two-week mini-series.
2022 and 2023
Jennifer Cunningham
Developing work of this visual artist working with themes of the climate emergency and environment.
Enda Burke
Research and development of new work by photographer and artist Enda Burke. Enda’s exhibition Far Away & Close to Home featured as part of GIAF 2023 .
Noelle Gallagher
Development of Fractals and Jaybirds, a response in film, sound and paint to the restoration of 37 acres of spruce forestry to native woodland in the Inagh Valley, Connemara.
Moonfish Theatre
As part of their developmental practice, Moonfish conducted workshops with artists from diverse backgrounds who speak Irish and other non-English languages.
Outset Gallery
Kaleidoscope - A series of events merging arts, music and education.
Jean Butler and Lavano
Our Steps - Developing an Irish dance legacy through a digital archive.
Fabry Torres Paez
Development of an interactive projection mapping installation.
2021
Andrew Flynn and Donal Ryan
To workshop and assist with the stage adaptation of From a Low and Quiet Sea, (by Donal Ryan) which subsequently premiered at GIAF 2022.
Joselle Ntumna and Beluah Ezeugo
Éireann and I - supporting the artists’ work on their digital archive, documenting the experiences of black migrants in Ireland.
Kirstyn Fontanella
Choreographer and dancer developing a solo dance project with themes revolving around the dancer’s Irish step dancing lineage.
Michael Chang
Supporting Cuimhne Uisce an immersive and interactive music live performance with video mapping and projections based on the theme of water.
Niamh Regan
To assist with the recording of In the Meantime, a collection of songs recorded during lockdown exploring themes of acceptance, uncertainty, independence, family guilt, silence and ordinary acts of love.
For nearly half a century, Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) has helped shape Ireland’s cultural landscape - presenting a world-class annual festival that unites Irish and international artists across a vibrant, multidisciplinary programme; commissioning, producing and touring new work; supporting the next generation of artists; and championing leading ideas through its First Thought series, while increasingly embedding inclusivity and sustainability across its programmes.
As it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, GIAF will build on its legacy in Galway to enhance Ireland’s reputation for creativity, innovation and international connection. GIAF 2026 will take place from 13–26 July
Galway International Arts Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funding agencies The Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland; its Drinks Partner Heineken®; and its Education Partner University of Galway.
Keep Updated:
Instagram @GalwayIntArts
Facebook @GalwayInternationalArtsFest
Tik Tok @GalwayIntArts