A group of black artists and performers came together in Dublin today to discuss the barriers they face when accessing arts funding.
It follows a recent report by the Arts Council which found that black and black-Irish applicants had a higher rate of ineligibility compared to other ethnic groups.
The report was compiled on the barriers faced by minority, ethnic and minority artists.
"There's nobody standing there, tapping people on the shoulder and saying 'You could be great. You should apply for arts council funding,'" said Dr Lucy Michael, author of the report.
"Young artists of other ethnicities are getting that, but young black artists are not.
"They are much more subject to risk assessments at venues. It's a big ask to do things that other artists are not asked to do."
Dafe Orugbo, a musician and multidisciplinary artist from Dublin, said his experience has been "a mixed bag" and as an artist you would expect to get some rejection.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said that the Arts Council report has "been enlightening".
But, he said, the application is a rather hefty document, and many applicants would need assistance in completing it from people who have applied in the past.
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Mr Orugbo said he wants the playing field to be a bit fairer but the funding of arts in Ireland is "pretty good" in comparison to other countries.
"Black artists don't have the same kind of mentors, the same access to help and support in putting the application together. They're not going to be successful."
He said that language is a barrier for some, and even for those with good English it is a little bit complicated as it is quite "academic".
Artists and mentors gathered at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin city centre today to discuss ongoing barriers facing black artists.
The event, hosted by the Arts Council, offered veterans of the arts world the chance to pass on their advice to younger artists.
"We need more people telling their stories. We need more people sharing their lives with us," said Melatu-Uche Okorie, a Nigerian-Irish writer.
"We need to know more. You have to know more about other people around you. That's what makes life interesting."
