What are Artists Awards?
Artists’ awards are a key way to support artists to take time out, reflect, develop new work or acquire new skills. These awards aim to support the work of older artists, including those who are emerging as artists later in life.
How do they work?
Emerging Artist Award
The Age & Opportunity Emerging Artist Award aims to encourage and support older artists who are at an early stage in their career. We would like to celebrate the determination and achievements of someone in the second half of their life who has embarked on a full-time artistic path with a view to becoming a professional artist. Applications for 2023 currently closed.
Past Award Recipients – 2023 Recipient: Katie Nolan 2022 Recipient: Colette Cullen
Professional Development Award
The Age & Opportunity Professional Development Artist Award aims to celebrate lifelong learning by encouraging and supporting professional older artists who wish to further develop their career and practice through specific activities to meet their development needs (training, research, etc.). It is not intended to support formal third or fourth level education.
Applications for 2023 currently closed.
Past Award Recipients – 2023 Recipient: Maree Hensey 2022 Recipient: Siobhan Piercy
Creative Ageing Writing Bursary
Launched in 2021, the Age & Opportunity Creative Ageing Writing Bursary aims to generate discussion, debate and knowledge about creative ageing (the arts and older people/ageing) in Ireland. The essay/reflection is intended to be useful for people who work with or are thinking of working with older people (including older artists).
Applications for 2023 currently closed.
Past Recipients – Read the 2023 essay by Laurence McKeown and the 2022 essay by Michelle Read
National Arts in Nursing Homes Day Award
National Arts in Nursing Homes Day takes place on the third Friday of May as part of Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age. Three innovative art projects are selected from entries received from nursing homes and care centres across the country to receive the National Arts in Nursing Homes Award. Applications for 2023 currently closed.
Past Award Recipients – 2023 Award Recipients: Mooncoin Residential Care Centre, Kilkenny; Borris Lodge, Carlow; and Highfield Healthcare in Whitehall in Dublin. 2022 Award Recipients: Esker Lodge, Cavan, Dealgan House Nursing Home, Louth and Kiltipper Woods Care Centre, Dublin.
Bealtaine Hero Award
This award is granted to individuals and/or organisations who create an exciting new event which is presented during the Bealtaine Festival. Applications for 2023 currently closed.
2022 Award Recipients: Gráinne O’Carroll in partnership with Sophie Kasser, Tearmann Éanna, and T57 in Co. Galway, and Musical Milestones by Suzanne Buttimer in partnership with Bramleigh Lodge Nursing Home in Co. Tipperary.
