Opportunity for artists: Emma O’Kane Bursary

Emma O’Kane Bursary Open Call
Deadline for entries: 12 January 2026

The Emma O’Kane Bursary is an award for independent artists who want to think beyond the boundaries of their art form and practice and to explore dance or a physical language in their work. It honours the exceptional ethos and artistic practice of artist Emma O’Kane who died in 2021.

The bursary is open to artists of all types and talents living on the island of Ireland. Whatever your background, lived experience or artistic practice, if you have the curiosity to explore and integrate dance, movement or other forms of physical language in your work, the courage to push art form boundaries and to challenge norms and the ambition to be the best that you can be as an artist, the Emma O’Kane Bursary would love to hear from you.

Applications from adults, everywhere, at any stage of their career are welcome. No production, showing or outcome is expected – the only thing selected artists will be asked to do, is to leave a “trace” – to make a short recording (in a medium of their choice) at the end of the year as to how the bursary has helped further their artistic ambition. Artists retain all rights in their work at all times. Dates and details of the stipend, residency and mentorship sessions will be tailored to the needs of the artist selected.

Details of the stipend, residency and mentorship panel

Over the course of the year, bursary recipients will receive a:

• stipend of €600 for a total of six weeks totalling €3,600
• research and materials budget of €500
• six-week residency at the Atrium at 42 Fairview Strand, Dublin
• up to five bespoke mentorships sessions over the course of the year to be defined by the selected artist together with the relevant bursary project advisors and arranged by the Bursary (see BIOGRAPHIES)
• opportunities to attend professional morning dance classes at Dance Ireland (to be defined together with the selected artist)

How to apply

Full details on eligibility and on how to apply can be found here: emmaokanebursary.ie/applynow

The closing date for completed applications is January 12 2026. For further information, please contact emmaokanebursary@gmail.com.