Three Westmeath artists secure €3,000 grants from Arts Council

Three Westmeath artists have each been awarded a €3,000 grant to help them make new and original work during the Covid-19 crisis,

The Arts Council said visual artists Martina Coyle and Mel French had been successful in securing the grants, as had Rose Finerty who is involved in theatre.

The Arts Council stated that, across the whole of the country, it had been encouraged by the quality of the applications and the fact that almost two-thirds of the successful artists had never before been funded by the Arts Council.

With all now notified of their award, the artists will begin to create work across the full range of art forms, genres and areas of arts practice.

Demand for the €1 million scheme -- called the Arts Council Covid-19 Crisis Response Award -- was high, with almost 1,000 applicants.

"I especially welcome the many new artists who were successful under this round. I realise that now is a particularly challenging time for artists to make work," commented Minister Josepha Madigan.

"I look forward to the imminent report from the Arts Council's Expert Advisory Group on further proposals to sustain this vital sector."