‘They're lucky we’re not showing up to Merrion Square and saying: "Where's my money?"’

The Arts Council told dancer, actor, and choreographer Stephanie Dufresne and 140 other artists they had been awarded €25,000 — but then it followed up to say the first message had been a mistake. Picture: Moya Nolan

More than 140 artists who were incorrectly told by the Arts Council that they had won a “life-changing” award worth €25,000 are to meet with council director Maureen Kennelly today as a “first step”.

The artists say the error had a “devastating” impact on them and reflects the precarious circumstances of those trying trying to make a living from the arts.