Axis Artist Bursaries

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 Bursary programmes aim to create opportunities for artists at all stages of their career and from all backgrounds to explore and develop new ideas through: 

  • financial support 

  • development space 

  • dramaturgical guidance 

  • engagement with fellow artists 

  •  artist led sessions to support sustainability in practice 

The Axis Bursary programmes offer artists the chance to make time for their work, to get feedback, to access the facilities of the building, and to build their professional network. It is an investment in process, and in community, and is aimed at artists who are able to dedicate time and energy to both. Bursaries cannot be used to fund training, accommodation, equipment purchase, or productions. 

What you get from an Axis Bursary: 

AXIS ASSEMBLE  

Current Artists 

Past Recipients  

  • Bursary funding of €2,000 from an overall bursary fund of €30,000 

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

  • Dramaturgical feedback and artistic facilitation with the Axis Pop Up Lit Department (via lead artist 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 and/or Theatre (subject to availability and restrictions) 

  • A brief headshot session in Axis with photographer Babs Daly (Axis will cover this cost) 

  • A limited number of Theatre Forum Individual memberships will be available to Axis Bursary artists (Axis will cover this cost) 

  • The opportunity to showcase your work if you wish (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. 

Axis Assemble is supported by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council 

AXIS PLAY:GROUND (Bursary for an artist who identifies as an artist with a disability)  

Current Artists 

Past Recipients 

  • Bursary funding of €5000. 

  • Access budget of up to €1000. 

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

  • Dramaturgical feedback and artistic facilitation with the Axis Pop Up Lit Department (via lead artist 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 and/or Theatre (subject to availability and restrictions) 

  • A brief headshot session in Axis with photographer Babs Daly(Axis will cover this cost) 

  • A limited number of Theatre Forum Individual memberships will be available to Axis Bursary artists (Axis will cover this cost) 

  • The opportunity to showcase your work if you wish (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. 

Axis Play:Ground is supported by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council 

 

AXIS AS GAEILGE (Bursary for artists working as Gaeilge/bilingually) 

Past Recipients 

  • Bursary funding of €2,000. 

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

  • Dramaturgical feedback and artistic facilitation with the Axis Pop Up Lit Department (via lead artist 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 and/or Theatre (subject to availability and restrictions) 

  • A brief headshot session in Axis with photographer Babs Daly (Axis will cover this cost) 

  • A limited number of Theatre Forum Individual memberships will be available to Axis Bursary artists (Axis will cover this cost) 

  • The opportunity to showcase your work if you wish (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. 

Axis As Gaeilge is supported by Foras na Gaeilge 

 

What can you do on an Axis Bursary programme? 

  • write a new play 

  • devise a new piece of work (solo/ with a collaborator/ with an ensemble) 

  • choreograph a new dance piece 

  • explore a new idea  

  • invest in thinking time if you’re not sure what you want to make 

  • seek advice or mentorship about elements of your artistic practice that you find challenging 

  • build supportive relationships with the other participants 

  • present a work in progress 

 

Who can apply to an Axis Bursary Programme? 

The Axis Bursary programmes are for artists who have at least some professional experience or training, but their work need not necessarily have been professionally produced by an arts organisation. These bursaries are 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. 

Axis Play:Ground is specifically aimed at artists who identify as an artist with a disability/disabled artist  

Axis As Gaeilge is specifically aimed at artists who are creating work as Gaeilge or bilingually.  

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. 

  • Please note: In addition to the Assemble programme, a bursary will be specifically allocated to an artist with a disability under the Axis Playground scheme. Please see further information on the Axis Playground scheme above. There is an additional budget available to help meet access requirements.  

  • 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 

Applications for 2025 have now closed.  

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