Axis Play:Ground Call Out 

Since 2004, Axis has worked to develop and produce new writing and theatre making locally, nationally and internationally, while also facilitating the growth of hundreds of artists through our many programmes and initiatives. We’re proud to be a cultural hub on the Northside of Dublin, where artists and the public gather to encounter new work and new ideas. 

Our Axis Play:Ground programme is an eight-month opportunity for an artist with disabilities/a disabled artist to grow their creative practice and develop new ideas, facilitated by: 

  • financial support 

  • development space 

  • dramaturgical and creative mentorship 

  • engagement with fellow artists 

  • artist led sessions to support sustainability in practice 

Axis Play:Ground is an investment in process and in community, and is aimed at artists who can dedicate time and energy to both.  

The bursary cannot be used to fund training, accommodation, equipment purchase, or productions. 

The 2026 Axis Play:Ground programme will run from April to November 2026.  

What you get: 

  • Bursary funding of €6,000  

  • Access budget of up to €1,500 

  • Up to €2,000 worth of support-in-kind as follows:  

  • Dramaturgical and artistic mentorship with the Axis Keep it LIT Department (led by director and dramaturg Aoife Spillane-Hinks) in three individual sessions during the April to November period. 

  • Engagement with the Axis Green Arts Department, subject to an agreed number of sessions. This includes artist support sessions in considering how their practice might evolve to become more sustainable and adaptive.  

  • Development time in Axis studio spaces (subject to availability and restrictions) 

  • The opportunity to showcase your work during our Sharing Days in November (this showcase may be digital or in person and combined with other showcasing artists, depending on availability and guidelines) 

  • Rehearsal space (subject to availability and restrictions) 

  • Hot desk space (subject to availability and restrictions) 

  • Advice from Axis production, sales and tech team 

  • Technical support for showcasing where feasible 

  • Invites to Axis and other productions, artist gatherings, networking opportunities where appropriate.  

Axis Play:Ground is for artists who have at least some professional experience or training. This bursary is for practitioners based in the Greater Dublin area. While the programme is primarily focused on performing arts disciplines, there may be scope to support artists who wish to engage with other art forms. 

We are especially keen to hear from: 

  • Artists from communities who are underrepresented in Irish arts, or who face barriers to accessing opportunities to develop their practice and work, such as (but not limited to) people who identify as Minority Ethnic or identify with multiple ethnicities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, as having a disability/being disabled, members of Mincéir/Traveller and Roma Communities, and any intersection of these or other identities.  

  • Artists who identify as having a disability/being disabled. 

  • Artists who work bi-lingually, or who work in/with languages other than English. 

  • Artists with a connection to Ballymun and/or the Northside of the city (please note, you don’t have to be living in these areas to apply) 

  • Parenting artists who may require a more flexible support structure: While we regret that we cannot provide childcare, we do welcome parenting artists who may wish to bring their children to a workshop or development space/session with them. There is no age limit restriction on the age of the child/ren. Axis has child protection policies and procedures in place.  

  • Should you wish to nominate someone to draft your application with or for you, please note the application should be in your name. Please tell us also who drafted it with or for you. Please let us know how best to communicate with you in relation to your application. 

 At least one bursary will be allocated to an artist who identifies as being from an underrepresented community with a commitment to support any additional needs or barriers to access that the artist may identify within the capacity of our resources. There is no expectation for you to draw on your life experience in the work that you make. Please feel encouraged to make the art you wish to make. 

Our aim is to support artists in the best way we can within our resources to develop themselves and their practice. If we haven’t listed a barrier or support here to your application, please do let us know. We will do our best to see how we can accommodate you. 

  

How to Apply 

To apply, please complete the following Google Form. It is encouraged to draft your answers in a word document, then copy and paste you answers into the form. A word document with the questions can be found here.  

If you wish to apply by video or audio file, please see guidelines and questions regarding. this format below. These applications should be sent to axisplayground@gmail.com, on or before Friday 22nd March 2026 at 6pm. 

Audio or Video File:  

  • If you wish to apply via audio or video file, please send via Dropbox or Wetransfer, answering the questions in the application form below.  

Videos or audio should be no longer than 4 minutes and must address each of the questions in the application form. Videos or audio which do not address all the questions in the form, cannot be included in the selection process.  

The fine print.... 

  • Applicants must be over 18 in April 2026 

  • Applicants may be shortlisted for an interview. 

  • Axis will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications. 

  • In line with our efforts to improve belonging, equality and diversity in Axis, if you would like to identify as an artist from an underrepresented community, please let us know in your application. This is not essential or expected. It would help us to understand more about the artists and people we are engaging with. Information collected will only be used in an anonymised fashion. In line with GDPR regulations, your information will not be shared with any third parties. 

Have a question? Need help? Email axisplayground@gmail.com to ask your question or request a call back. 

Axis Bursary Programmes are supported by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council.