Call for Applications: Bealtaine Touring Award 2026
Deadline: 12pm, Wednesday 12th November 2025
Age & Opportunity, the national organisation dedicated to empowering older people through arts, physical activity, personal development, and active citizenship, is pleased to announce the call for applications for the Bealtaine Touring Award 2026.
This award is part of our commitment to supporting artists, arts organisations, and audiences through our annual Bealtaine Festival—Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and ageing. In 2026, the festival will mark its 31st year, with the theme “Lust for Life”, inspired by Iggy Pop’s iconic anthem of vitality, ambition, and second chances.
About the Award
We invite proposals from artists and producers for ready-to-tour performing arts productions to be presented during the Bealtaine Festival in May 2026. Selected projects will receive:
- A platform for presentation as part of the Bealtaine Festival.
- Two awards of €5,000 OR one award of €10,000 will be made to the successful applicant(s), representing around 20% of total production income.
- Co-production support from Age & Opportunity, while applicants retain full responsibility for all aspects of the production and tour.
Please note: This award is not intended to fully fund the tour. Applicants must outline additional funding sources in their budget.
Eligibility Criteria
- The proposed tour must be fully developed prior to submission.
- A minimum of three performances must take place in at least two counties within the Republic of Ireland during May 2026.
- Additional performances outside of May may be included but must be separate from the three Bealtaine dates.
- Projects must be already realised or near completion. Development-phase projects are not eligible.
What We’re Looking For
We aim to support ambitious, innovative, and creative work by and for older people, with a particular emphasis on touring productions. We welcome proposals that are:
- Radical or challenging
- Humorous or offbeat
- Expanding the range of events offered to Bealtaine audiences
We strongly encourage applications from artists from marginalised or underrepresented communities.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their completed application via the online form or by email to arts@ageandopportunity.ie in Word or PDF format, including the following:
- Project budget, including confirmed/potential funders and in-kind contributions
- PR and marketing plan
- Letters of support or expressions of interest from at least three proposed venues (compiled as one file)
- CVs (max 2 pages) for all project participants
- Examples of previous work (compiled as one document with links to images, showreels, reviews, etc.)
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Alignment with Bealtaine’s mission and audience
- Artistic merit and innovation
- Track record of personnel
- Project readiness and touring feasibility
- Budget and marketing plan
- Feasibility within the festival timeframe
Note: Funding for this award is subject to confirmation from the Arts Council in January 2026.
Submit your application by 12pm, Wednesday 12th November 2025
For queries, contact the Arts Administrator at arts@ageandopportunity.ie
Full Guidelines: final Bealtaine Tour 2026 guidelines
Application Form: Final Bealtaine Tour 2026 application form
Image: Miss Mary by Kristyn Fontanella, Bealtaine Touring Awardee 2025
