Roscommon artist Jessamine O’Connor has been awarded a €20,000 English literature bursary through the latest round of the Arts Council’s bursary award scheme.
The local artist is among 258 recipients who will share a combined €4.3m in funding.
Awarded by the Arts Council on behalf of the State, the bursaries provide individual artists with grants of up to €20,000, giving them the time and resources to research, reflect on and further develop their artistic practice.
The awards span a wide range of disciplines and are intended to support the long-term development of artists while also benefiting audiences and the wider arts sector.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said Ireland’s reputation as a “cultural powerhouse” depended on strong State support for artists.
“In providing over 250 artists from right across Ireland with the time and opportunity to develop their artistic practice, these awards recognise the intrinsic value of the arts and the benefits they bring to our society,” he said.
Director of the Arts Council Moling Ryan said the bursary scheme was central to the organisation’s support for the arts in Ireland.
“We recognise the necessity for artists to have the time and resources to make great art. These awards will support artists to further develop Ireland’s vibrant, creative culture,” he said.
