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VAI News
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Guest Curator Dr Selina Guinness outlines programme highlights for Dublin Art Book Fair in December.
Check it out now by clicking here!
Image: Dublin Art Book Fair 2024, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, featuring Ella Bertilsson, THE MOLE FLIPPED THE SUNSHINE SWITCH, 2024, wall-based artwork; photograph by Evanna Devine, courtesy of TBG+S.
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The Visual Artists’ News Sheet is guaranteed the most affordable and cost effective platform for publicising art events, exhibitions, arts services, artists’ materials & equipment, notices of commissions & other opportunities for artists. We print and distribute 6000 copies per issue of this 40 page newspaper throughout Ireland six times a year, ensuring that your advertising is read as timely and relevant.
All advertising queries should be directed to:
Thomas Pool
News Provision
T: 01 672 9488
E: ne...@visualartists.ie
The deadline is fast approaching and if you have yet to reserve ad space please do so as soon as possible. We only have Inside Pages space left available.
As part of VAI’s push to become a more green organisation we now use biodegradable packaging for individual subscribers of the VAN.
Alongside the print advertising that we continue to offer in The Visual Artists’ News Sheet – VAI’s bi-monthly publication – we also offer digital banner adverts within VAI’s twice weekly eBulletin as well as promotional posts across VAI’s extensive social media platforms.
When placing an advertisement in the VAN, you can now maximise your audience with this new bundle (comprising an ad in the eBulletin, with the additional option of a targeted promotional post across VAI’s social media platforms) for an additional fee of €155.
We have recently simplified the process for our Facebook advertisements, and have optimised the pricing to produce over 10,000 views per post. If your target audience is smaller this can be adequately adjusted upon request.
As a result of this highly successful programme, we are excited to offer you a the VAN, eBulletin and Social Media Advertising Bundle, which comprises three strands:
- Print Advertisement (The VAN) – A well respected and durational advertising option, best suited to the promotion of forthcoming or seasonal programmes, events and opportunities.
- Digital Banner Advertisement (VAI eBulletin) – A responsive advertising option within our eBulletin (twice per week). This option is best suited to the promotion of immediate or short-term programmes, events and opportunities.
- Social Media Advertising (VAI Facebook Page) – A targeted advertising option to run in conjunction with Digital Banner Advertisements, best suited to the promotion of immediate or short-term programmes, events and opportunities.
Advertisers now have the option to promote different programmes or opportunities in print and online. These bundles are flexible with the needs of our advertisers in mind, to ensure that your ad is seen by the maximum amount of VAI readers and subscribers.
Who Are We?
- Visual Artists Ireland is a trusted space and respected information resource.
- VAI is in a unique position of having contact with artists, arts professionals and arts organisations on a weekly basis, through the various services we provide.
- Recent VAI figures show that we directly engage with more than 80% of visual artists in Ireland.
VAI Reach & Engagement:
- VAN Readership = 5,600
- eBulletin Mailing List = 12,000 subscribers (with a click rate of 46%)
- Facebook = 31,000 followers
- Instagram = 13,400 followers
- Twitter = 16,200 followers
Returns for Advertisers:
- Access to a concentrated visual arts audience across Ireland, Northern Ireland and beyond, who regularly engage with our services across multiple platforms.
- Access to over 44,000 social media followers, located nationwide and internationally.
Additional Perks for VAI Member Organisations
- VAI Member Organisations can now enjoy a 10% discount on all advertisements placed in the VAN as well as in the eBulletin.
You can refer to our updated 2025 Advertising Rate Card for a list of competitive prices, as well as technical specifications for your advertisements.
Please do get in touch to discuss these options or to book an advertising slot across one or more of these platforms. Since demand is already high and space is limited, advertisements will be placed on a first-come-first-serve basis.
To reserve advertising space contact Thomas at ne...@visualartists.ie
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Job Vacancies
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The ideal candidate will be a confident, collaborative leader and an experienced manager. You will thrive working in a busy environment and comfortably balance operational oversight with external stakeholder engagement. Commercially minded and emotionally intelligent, you are deeply committed to operational excellence, artistic ambition, and a positive organisational culture.
Click here for more information and to apply
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Sligo County Council’s Arts Service is seeking quotations for a Public Art Project Manager to oversee the delivery of three upcoming public art commissions in Sligo. This is a contract for services (18–24 months, fixed fee €35,000 incl. VAT).
Click here for more information and to apply
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Bookville is a festival for families and children between the ages of 0 – 12 years managed by Kilkenny County Council Library Service and the Arts Office. This multi-disciplinary festival which has a strong emphasis on books, literature and writing takes place between October 1st-8th and is looking for a Creative Director and Festival Coordinator for 2026. Deadline for applications 12th December.
Click here for more information and to apply
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Opportunities Ireland
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PhotoIreland launches the 9th FUTURES Talent Call for artists, opening the opportunity all Ireland and UK practitioners.
The submission to this opportunity is organised by PhotoIreland as the Irish member of the FUTURES Photography Platform. The call is for artists working in photography and its expanded practice at any level, who feel their practice is at a suitable stage to avail of this opportunity.
Click here for more information and to apply
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Outset Gallery announces its 3rd annual Open Call for recent graduates (2023–2025) from or based in Ireland.
Selected artists will join a group show in Feb 2026 in Galway, curated by an emerging curator and supported by talks and networking events.
Participants receive an artist fee, production support, and professional development.
Apply with up to 5 works or a PDF via Google Form. Work must be exhibition-ready.
Deadline: Dec 7, 2025. Free to apply.
Click here for more information and to apply
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Opportunities International
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Scheduled from 20th June to 27th September 2026, the twentieth Horizons “Arts-Nature” en Sancy contemporary art event is to feature highly original plastic artworks of an ephemeral nature, created specifically for the Massif du Sancy.
The call for projects launched by the Sancy Tourist Office is for the creation of 10 artworks to be installed across the towns and villages of the Massif du Sancy local council community.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 30 november 2025.
Click here for more information and to apply
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IN SITU PLATFORM is a four-year programme supporting emerging artists developing artistic projects in public space and non-conventional places at the European level.
Through this new call, we will select around 60 artists to offer:
– exclusive online content to learn about artistic production related to art in public space
– an in-person immersive lab with learning and networking opportunities somewhere in Europe
Click here for more information and to apply
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Residencies
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Artist Residencies 2026 Open Call
Artlink’s 2026 residency program invites professional visual artists in any discipline to spend four weeks between April and September developing new work inspired by the site and engaging with the community. Three residencies are available—one international (€7,500), one for an Iceland-based artist (€7,500), and one for an Ireland-based artist (€6,000). Application deadline: January 5th 2026.
Click here for more information and to apply
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Richmond Road Studios announces two Graduate Awards for 2025 art graduates in Dublin.
Residencies run Jan–Jun 2026 (incl. Phizzfest group show) and Jul–Dec 2026 (incl. Culture Night show). Each offers 6 months free studio space, €500 production support, €500 fee, curatorial help, and a solo show opportunity.
Applicants must commute regularly and note the 2.5m x 2.5m space limits and non-accessible facilities. Questions: richmondr...@gmail.com. Deadline: Dec 8, 2025, 5pm.
For more information and to apply please contact: richmondr...@gmail.com
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Commissions
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Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is seeking an experienced and suitably qualified artist to produce a high-quality permanent, figurative sculpture (Bust) of Queen Elizabeth II to be placed in the Palace Chapel.
The bust would be in the medium of the artist’s choice and placed on top of a plinth to include a plaque (text to be agreed with Council) which may be incorporated into the plinth.
The commission fee is £70,000 Sterling
Click here for more information
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Funding / Awards
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Clare Arts Office are now inviting applications under two strands of the Creative Bursaries Scheme 2026.
There are two strands to this Bursary:
- Creative Bursaries for Arts Practitioners (those generating an income from their artistic endeavours)
- Creative Bursaries for Non-professional artists (those who are looking to upskill in areas of the creative Arts)
Deadline for applications is Monday December 8th, 2025 at 12am.
Click here for more information and to apply
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Mayo County Council Arts Service is pleased to announce the deadline for their annual Grants and Bursaries for 2026.
The following Awards are now open for application:
- Mayo Artist Bursary
- Arts Act Grants
- Tyrone Guthrie Bursary
- Upstart Awards
- Drama League Ireland Summer School Bursary
Click here for more information and to apply
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Workshops
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Let’s design your future together! Whether you’re a student exploring your options, a professional considering a change, or simply curious about creative careers, this information day offers direct access to people working in the creative sector.
Spend the day speaking with creative professionals from design, media, arts, entertainment and other sectors, all happy to share their career journeys — how they got started, the decisions they made along the way, and what their work actually involves.
Click here for more information and to book
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The fundamentals of ceramic hand-building at your fingertips. Over the course of 6 weeks, you’ll learn all the essential hand-building techniques, including pinching, coiling, and slab construction. These foundational skills will give you the base to create both functional and sculptural work. Let an idea inspire you, then shape it into reality with your own hands. Each class is designed to be flexible, with a pace that adapts to the needs and progress of the group, allowing you to gradually build your skills week by week. Includes 15 hrs of teaching, clay, tools and all glaze/firing costs.
Nov 11th – Dec 16th 6:30pm – 9pm
Click here for more information and to book
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Coming into the cold winter months, why not spend a Saturday learning how to paint a beautiful urban snow scene? Watercolour lends itself to this type of painting, utilising its transparent nature to create a sense of light within the blue shadows of the scene.
The workshop will be based on a three-part demonstration where Kasper will show his technique, and after each part, he will assist the students along the way.
Click here for more information and to book
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Join artist Martina McDonald for a morning of festive cheer at The ACRE Project. With a choice of craft workshops in Wreath Making (€25) and Festive Origami Stars (€15), participants can choose from two available dates – Saturday the 6th & 13th of December. Full details for both workshops at www.martinamcdonald.com
All materials supplied by the artist.
Click here for more information and to book
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NEW PROGRAM OF COURSES 2026 BY ARTFORM IS NOW AVAILABLE ON ARTFORM.IE.
Artform School of Art offers residential artist-led seaside art courses in the beautiful coastal village of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford for all skill levels in a variety of styles and media, hosted by some of Irish leading artists, and taking place in Artform light-filled seaside studio with 24hr access for each artist. We hold open call competitions, exhibitions, art events and artist residencies. To find out more, get in touch or visit us in Dunmore East.
Click here for more information and to book
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Learn about materials, basic brushstrokes and techniques used for painting grasses, flowers, trees and more (live online).
Registration for our Japanese Black Ink Painting Beginners Online Program CLOSES FRIDAY 28th Nov. Includes monthly workshops and more.
Tutor: Karen Colbert MFA, VAI Member
Click here for more information and to book
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This five-day intensive painting workshop at the Conor Walton Summer School in Arklow (Ireland).
Canvas, easels, paint (basic palette), solvents are included. (No brushes provided)
There are 8 places plus two residential scholarships aimed at students in 2nd or 3rd level education. Application is by portfolio.
Click here for more information and to book
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This intensive three day workshop will give participants an overview of some of these fundamentals, namely linework, tone (value), and perspective. It will provide a framework to develop a mode of drawing that is accurate and stylish, and will enable participants to be more focused and productive with drawing practice that is undertaken in their own time.
Click here for more information and to book
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Studios
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The Dock is seeking applications from Leitrim-local professional artists working in any art form for two fully subsidised studios over 12 months. In addition, we will offer a seed fund of €1000 to each successful applicant along with in-kind support customised to individual needs.
The studios are private working spaces and not open to the general public. They can be accessed Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm except on bank holidays. Each studio is equipped with desk, chair, electrical points, heating, natural and artificial lighting, sink and storage.
Click here for more information and to apply
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For Sale / Wanted / Other
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This publication has been produced on the occasion of the 23rd edition of TULCA Festival of Visual Arts, Strange lands still bear common ground curated by Beulah Ezeugo. The publication complements and extends the festival programme, offering essays, artworks, and contributions from Caroline Mac Cathmhaoil, Francis Jones, Jericho Mars, Hussein Mitha, Enya Moore & Kate O’Shea, PATHOS, and Durre Shahwar.
Click here for more information
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We recommend that you check all eligibility criteria carefully. As the All Ireland representative body we aim to advertise opportunities available to all artists. But with new restrictions, some opportunities may only be available to artists in the Republic of Ireland, the EU or specifically in Northern Ireland or the UK.
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International Memberships
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GDPR Compliance
You are receiving this email because you subscribed to VAI's eBulletin service which provides information on VAI, Visual Arts News, Jobs, Opportunities, Exhibitions, and Events. The eBulletin is a double opt-in service, which means that you confirmed to us that you wished to receive these updates. The date on which you confirmed your subscription is on file and can be provided to you upon request. If you wish to update your subscription or stop receiving these emails from us, please use the following links
Visual Artists Ireland's Privacy Policy provides a full understanding of how we manage your data as part of our service delivery to you.
Visual Artists Ireland - Ealaíontóirí Radharcacha Éire
Head Office
First Floor, 2 Curved Street
Dublin 2, D02 PC43
Tel: +353 (0)1 672 9488
Fax: +353 (0)1 672 9482
Email: in...@visualartists.ie
Northern Ireland Office
109 - 113 Royal Avenue,
Belfast, BT1 1FF
Email: in...@visualartists-ni.org
Registered Charity No. CHY 9629
Patron: Michael D. Higgins
PRESIDENT OF IRELAND
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