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Patron Donation Award 2027 Callout

Funding Available Per Award: Up to a Maximum of €25,000
Deadline: Friday 20 November 2026, 5pm

ABOUT PAVILION PATRON DONATION AWARD
Pavilion Patron Donation Award is a performance-based award to co-commission and co-produce ambitious main stage works, with the intention that these will be fully presented at Pavilion Theatre by the end of the award period (December 2028).

One award of up to a maximum of €25,000 is available for work by established artists, companies, collectives, producers, curators, programmers, venues and festivals. Proposals are invited from those seeking to develop or produce either new work or revivals of existing work/productions. We welcome unique offerings, new collaborations and, ultimately, great art to engage with a wide audience. This could also include festival proposals, artists moving into different artforms or interdisciplinary projects.

We’re seeking work that is:

  • Aligned with our mission to present main stage work of the highest artistic merit (Pavilion Theatre Strategy 2025-2028)
  • Presented by those with a proven track record
  • Compelling to Pavilion Theatre’s audience and scale (a 324-seat venue)
  • Committed to presenting at Pavilion Theatre, with strong touring potential 

Recipients of previous Pavilion Patron Donation Awards include: 15th Oak, Ali Hardiman, Bombinate Theatre, Branar Theatre Company, CoisCéim, Danielle Galligan and Gavin Kostick, Decadent Theatre Company, Deirdre Kinahan, Fishamble: The New Play Company, Foggy Notions, Front and Centre, SkelpieLimmer Productions & An Grianán Theatre and Sonya Kelly to name a few.

WHO CAN APPLY
Applicants should be:

  • Established artists, companies, collectives, producers, venues and festivals working in theatre, dance, opera and festivals with a track record of excellence
  • Developing major projects for stage-based performance, live events or festival proposals
  • Based on the island of Ireland

Previous successful applicants are eligible. We encourage applications from artists of all identities and backgrounds.

KEY DATES

  • Application Deadline: Friday 20 November 2026, 5pm
  • Outcome: Applicants will be informed of the outcome by Friday 18 December 2026
  • Award Work Dates: January 2027 – December 2028

HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please fill in the application form linked here. Send your complete form with supporting documents by email to donal@paviliontheatre.ie with the subject “Pavilion Patron Donation Award 2027”

FUNDING CONDITIONS
Funding is subject to:

  • A contractual engagement and funding agreement with Pavilion Theatre
  • A mutually agreed credit and acknowledgment of Pavilion Theatre’s support in all relevant materials
  • A progress report of the work supported
  • Submission of a testimonial

Please note that the award cannot be used to purchase or rent equipment. Funding awarded may be less than requested. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Proposals will be assessed based on the criteria below.

1. Eligibility

  • The application is complete and submitted on time
  • A maximum of two applications can be made per lead applicant

2. Quality & Nature of Proposal

  • The project aligns with the aims of the Patron Donation Award: ambitious, original, audience-focused work that will be fully presented at Pavilion Theatre by the end of the award period (December 2028)
  • A named producer is required, either working independently or in collaboration with other artists, programmers, curators, venues, festivals or funders. Co-funding is welcome
  • Alignment with Pavilion Theatre’s Strategy (Pavilion Theatre Strategy 2025-2028)

3.    Public Engagement

  • Strong potential to connect with Pavilion Theatre’s audience
  • Strong touring potential, where applicable

4.    Track Record

  • Proven achievements of the applicant(s) involved

5.    Feasibility

  • Evidence that the award will significantly support the project’s development and future production at Pavilion Theatre
  • Realistic timeframe and budget
  • Clear capacity to deliver and communicate with Pavilion Theatre

FURTHER DETAILS
No late applications will be accepted. Decisions are final and made in a competitive context. Following the selection process, we will be unable to offer individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I apply with a project that has other funding or partners?
Yes, co-funding or partnerships are welcome and can strengthen your application.
Can my project include collaborators based outside of Ireland?
Only artists based in Ireland are eligible for Pavilion Patron Donation Award funding. If a project involves collaborators based outside of Ireland, these individuals’ contributions may not be accounted for in the application budget.
Will Pavilion Theatre provide any in-kind support (e.g. rehearsal space, marketing, tech support)?
Not as part of the Patron Donation Award process; please do not include any such supports in your application. Should your application be successful, any in-kind supports would be subject to further discussion prior to contracting for presentation.
My application is for a festival, is there a restriction on genre?
We accept proposals for festivals in theatre, opera, music, literature and podcasting.
Does work involving children require a child protection policy?
Yes, work with children will require a child protection policy.
How much funding in total is available for Pavilion Patron Donation Award?
The total funding available for the Pavilion Patron Donation Award is €25,000.

For information not covered in this callout, enquiries may be directed to ping@paviliontheatre.ie

Pavilion Patron Donation Award is made possible by the generous donations of Pavilion Theatre’s loyal patrons. Click here to learn more about our Patron Donation fund and award.