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Pavilion Pulse Award 2026: Open Call

Following a hugely successful inaugural year in 2025, which saw 30 artists supported, applications are now open for Pavilion Pulse Award 2026 with €50,000 in total funding available across two strands.

Funding Available

Strand One: Foundation:
Awards of €1,500 suitable for exploring new ideas, writing and research 
Strand Two: Acceleration:
Awards of up to €5,000 suitable for advancing existing projects, development and works-in-progress

Deadline: Friday 26 June 2026, 5pm

About Pavilion Pulse Award

Pavilion Pulse Award supports artists across Ireland with paid time to create and develop ambitious projects. Artists working in theatre, dance, music, opera, literature, children and young people’s arts, multidisciplinary work and live podcasting can apply for one of two strands to support the development of new or existing work. This award is to help bring daring ideas to life and champion work that has its finger on the pulse of today. Whether you want to get your project rehearsal-ready, dive deeper into development or spark something entirely new, we’re looking for visionary, urgent projects that need to be developed now. We want to support artists who are taking risks and responding boldly to the world around them.
This year, there are two funding strands.

Strand One: Foundation (€1,500 per award)

This is for work at the beginning of creation.

For example:

  • Researching and developing an idea
  • Writing or redrafting a script, libretto or text
  • Exploring initial musical ideas or recording rough demos
  • Undertaking early-stage devising, improvisation, or studio-based research
  • Meeting, devising or collaborating with other artists to further develop your project e.g. directors, designers, composers, musicians, actors, dancers, dramaturgs, mentors, etc.

Strand Two: Acceleration (up to €5,000 per award)

This is for work that has moved beyond initial exploration and can be structured and rehearsed. This stage of development does not need to be public-facing.

For example:

  • Rehearsing and presenting a work-in-progress
  • A workshop reading
  • Developing a short performance, excerpt or section of a larger work 
  • Recording an album or podcast

Pavilion Pulse Awardees will also be invited to attend gathering events to connect with other awardees over treats and hot beverages.

Please Note

  • Each lead applicant may submit only one application and must choose a single funding strand. Applicants cannot submit applications for both strands, even for different projects.
  • Pavilion Pulse Award is intended solely for development purposes. It may be used to cover artist and collaborator fees or access space. Subject to approval, we can provide supplemental funding to help remove barriers to participation (for example childcare, carer or access costs)
  • The project must ultimately be intended for a live performance, demonstration or event
  • Written, dated confirmation of commitment from named collaborators is required – this could be a letter or email
  • Pavilion Theatre cannot provide space for you to work. Where applicable you should include in your budget the cost to access suitable space
  • The award cannot be used to purchase or rent equipment
  • Film projects or screenings are ineligible for this award

Who Can Apply

We welcome applications from artists:

  • Working in theatre, dance, music, opera, literature, children and young people’s arts, multidisciplinary work and/or live podcasting, as individuals or as a company/collective
  • Based on the island of Ireland.
  • For the purposes of assessment, the application form must be completed in English
  • Previous awardees are welcome to apply. If applying to continue work on a project previously awarded, evidence of meaningful progress must be included.

We encourage applications from artists of all identities and backgrounds.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: Friday 26 June 2026, 5pm
  • Outcome: Applicants will be informed of the outcome via email by Friday 21 August 2026
  • Award Work Dates: The development period must conclude before the end of March 2027

How to Apply

If it is easier for you to make a video or audio application, please record answers to the application questions in a file or link no longer than 10 minutes long. You can find the questions here. Email your answers before the deadline with PDF letters or emails of confirmation of commitment from your named collaborators to pulse@paviliontheatre.ie with the subject “Pavilion Pulse Award 2026”

Further Details

Following the selection process, we will be unable to offer individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.

This will be our only Pavilion Pulse Award callout for 2026.

Applications will be assessed based on:

  • Eligibility (application form is complete, submitted on time and fits into one or more of the named artforms: theatre, dance, music, opera, literature, children and young people’s arts, multidisciplinary work and live podcasting)
  • Artistic merit
  • Clarity of the project idea
  • Track record of those involved
  • Potential for the project to reach production
  • Alignment with Pavilion Theatre’s vision (Pavilion Theatre Strategy 2025-2028)

Funding is subject to:

  •  A signed memorandum of understanding with Pavilion Theatre
  • Regular updates
  • Acknowledgment of Pavilion Theatre’s support in all relevant materials
  • Submission of a testimonial 

Frequently Asked Questions

Must the project be intended for live performance or can it be digital/literary-only?
The project must intend to culminate in a live performance, demonstration or event during the development period or after.

Can I apply if I haven’t yet secured all my collaborators?
Yes, if you plan to bring other collaborators on later, please include role details in the application budget.

Can my project include collaborators based outside of Ireland?
Only artists based in Ireland are eligible for Pavilion Pulse Award funding. If a project involves collaborators based outside of Ireland, these individuals’ contributions may not be accounted for in the application budget.

How much funding in total is available for Pavilion Pulse Award?
The total funding available for Pavilion Pulse Awards is €50,000.

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

Pavilion Pulse Award is made possible by kind support of the Arts Council of Ireland and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.