Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland to Canada are seeking expressions of interest from artists, ensembles and cultural organisations to participate in an Irish season of arts and culture in Canada in 2027. This initiative aims to showcase, across Canada, the richness of talent in contemporary Irish arts and culture.
Canada-Ireland 180 is a major cultural and commemorative initiative marking 180 years since 1847, a defining moment in the shared history of Ireland and Canada. As a result of the Great Famine, over 100,000 Irish people migrated to Canada in search of a better life. From that point onward, Irish-Canadians would became a core part of Canada’s history, national identity and culture.
Additionally, Canada-Ireland 180 will seek to honour the past, examine the present, and build a creative vision for the future. Anchored in the memory of the Irish famine migration to Canada, the initiative will illuminate the deep and enduring ties between our peoples, forged in hardship and sustained through culture, values, and community.
Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland to Canada aim to develop Canadian audiences for Irish arts and Irish-Canadian cultural partnerships and collaborations, by presenting a vibrant, contemporary, diverse, and high-quality programme across artistic disciplines in a variety of locations, from intimate to high-profile venues, as well as institutions and festivals.
We now invite proposals from artists and their representatives, curators, venues and presenters interested in participating in this special programme, including from companies which already have outline plans for work to be presented in Canada in 2027.
Funding for this initiative will be awarded under two strands:
Strand 1: Funding provided by Culture Ireland will support the presentation/touring of work by Irish professional artists usually based in Ireland covering all artforms at Canadian venues, festivals, galleries and institutions. Irish and Canadian organisations (programming touring Irish artists) are both eligible to submit for this strand.
Strand 2: Funding provided by the Embassy of Ireland to Canada will support projects involving Irish artists and organisations based in Canada. Canadian organisations and institutions (programming events with artists based in Canada) and Irish diaspora organisations based in Canada are eligible to apply for this strand.
Applications may be made by Irish artists and companies (including those resident across the island of Ireland or in Canada) or by Canadian venues, presenters or agents, and should include as much budgetary information as possible, including supplementary material if needed.
The submission should be no longer than two pages (excluding budget documentation), submitted to [email protected] entitled Canada Ireland 180, and should contain:
- An outline of the concept of the proposed project
- An outline of your approach to the practical realisation of the presentation
- A list of the proposed participants, including any Canada-based partners
- The funding strand to which your project is more closely aligned (see above)
- An outline of how your proposal will showcase Irish creativity and/or highlight Ireland’s contemporary creative strengths in Canada
Outline projects are requested to be submitted by 5pm Irish time on Friday 14th April 2026, and further proposals may be considered on a rolling basis at a later stage, if funding permits.
