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Visual Arts

We are committed to developing a vibrant visual arts ecology of artists, arts organisations and arts groups so that the public can experience exceptional visual arts throughout Ireland.

We invest in an array of arts activities, exhibitions, and projects so that audiences can access and enjoy visual arts experiences.  

Dublin Port: ‘Longest Way Round, Shortest Way Home’, TBG+S and Yuri Pattison. Photo: Ros Kavanagh.

How we develop visual arts

Our key priority is to develop visual arts and enable it to reach its full potential, ensuring its sustainability and vibrancy into the future.

To do this, we offer a range of supports for visual artists and arts practitioners to develop their practice and create work. We invest in organisations that lead, sustain and develop the arts in Ireland. We support opportunities for the public to access high-quality visual arts activity throughout the country.

Learn more about how we develop visual arts
‘Spin, Spin Scheherezade’ by Orla Barry at WoWmen Festival in Kaaitheatre, Brussels. Photo: Steven Decroos

Partnerships and schemes

Ireland at Venice

Through our partnership with Culture Ireland, we support Ireland’s national representation at the International Art Exhibition, The Venice Biennale.

Read more about Ireland at Venice

Arts Council Collection

The Arts Council has been acquiring contemporary artwork since 1962. Our collection, which now comprises over 1,400 artworks, tells the story of modern and contemporary Irish visual art.

Read more about the Arts Council Collection

Visual Artists Workspace Scheme

The Visual Artists Workspace Scheme aims to support artists’ workspaces throughout the country to provide the best possible working environment for visual artists.

Read more about the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme

Visual Artists in Prisons Scheme

The Visual Artists in Prisons Scheme provides selected visual artists and writers the opportunity to work with students in the prison schools and their art teachers

Publications

View the latest research and reports.

Visual Arts Policy and Strategy 2019

Download

Visual Arts Production Capacity Report 2022

Download

Visual Artist’ Workspaces in Ireland

Download

Latest funding opportunities for visual arts

More funding opportunities

Spotlights

Visual artists we have supported share how their funding has made a difference to their artistic careers.

Headshot of artists Amanda Rice

Amanda Rice

Amanda Rice works with moving image, photography, and installation. We talk to Amanda about the impact the Next Generation Award has had on her practice.

Garrett Phelan

Garrett Phelan is a visual artist who develops ambitious, site-specific projects. We talk to Garrett about the impact the Visual Arts Bursary support has had on his practice.

Matt Packer

Matt Packer is the Director of EVA International. We talk to Matt about the impact the Visual Arts Bursary support has had on his practice.

Niamh McCann

Niamh McCann was awarded a Visual Arts Bursary in 2018. We talk to Niamh about the impact the Visual Arts Bursary support has had on her practice.

Jennie Guy

Jennie Guy is an artist, curator and educator based in Dublin. We talk to Jennie about the impact the Project Award support has had on her practice.

Andy Fitz

Andy Fitz is a visual artist from Dublin. We talk to Andy about the impact the Next Generation 2018 support has had on their practice.

Alan James Burns

We talk to Alan about the impact the Arts Council funding has had on his practice.

Sarah Browne

Sarah Browne is an artist whose practice is concerned with non-verbal, bodily experiences of knowledge and justice. We talk to Sarah about the impact the Project Award support has had…

Padraig Robinson

Padraig Robinson is an artist making books and films. We talk to Padraig about the impact the Project Award support has had on his practice.

Leah Corbett

Leah Corbett is an artist and curator. We talk to Leah about the impact the Visual Arts Bursary support has had on her practice.

Ciara Roche

Ciara Roche is a painter based in County Wexford. We talk to Ciara about the impact the Visual Arts Bursary support has had on her practice.

Our visual arts team

Claire Power

Head of Visual Arts

Sabina Mac Mahon

Visual Arts Support Manager

Seán O’Sullivan

Visual Arts Adviser

Maeve O’Flaherty

Visual Arts Support Manager

Rita Hynes

Visual Arts Officer

Valerie Connor

Visual Arts Adviser

Éilis Lavelle

Visual Arts Support Manager

Justine Harrington

Visual Arts Assistant

Get in touch

Contact our team with your questions about visual arts

visualarts@artscouncil.ie
+353 1 6180220