Kilkenny County Council is embarking on a new phase in its public art programme and will be accepting submissions for five commissions in 2024. The focus of these commissions will be on collaborations with communities in County Kilkenny. We are seeking up to five artist-led projects which should seek to challenge, engage and innovate, through meaningful dialogue, research and engagement with communities. Kilkenny County Council will be accepting proposals from any recognised art form, from individuals or teams, who seek to devise and complete new work, developed in a collaborative setting. We are seeking compelling, ambitious proposals from artists; which meet, challenge and expand our ideas of public art.
Objectives
- To provide artists across all disciplines with meaningful opportunities to develop new work that reflect their ambition and ideas.
- To facilitate meaningful encounters, dialogue and connections between artists and communities in Kilkenny.
- To place ambition and innovation in public art practice at the forefront of these commissions.
- To listen and provide legacy opportunities for the communities involved in the public art commissions.
- To investigate, probe and consider community experiences through public art opportunities.
The Commissions
It is envisaged that the commissions will be commence in late 2024 and can be completed over a one to two-year period. This is the outer time limit. Projects can be completed in a shorter timeframe.
The actual duration, timeline and project schedules will be discussed and agreed between the artist, the Public Arts Project Manager and the Arts Office prior to commencement of any projects, and will form part of the artist’s contract.
The commissions will be awarded on the basis of an open, two-stage competition. Guidelines for making an application are listed below:
- The public art opportunities are open to individual artists or collaborative teams in any recognised artform.
- The artist must undertake to make new work, but it does not have to result in a permanent artwork. The commission can be for a once-off event, a publication, an intervention, a residency. We are open to receiving your ideas.
- We are seeking ambitious proposals, both in the artwork and in the proposed engagement with the community.
- In making a Stage 1 proposal we ask that you DO NOT contact community groups.
- Shortlisted artists will be paid to research and develop a detailed Stage 2 proposal, which will involve identifying community groups/representatives at that point.
- Artists do not have to be from or resident in Kilkenny but the commissioners would like to see a commitment to spending significant time in the county working with communities.
Who can apply for the commissions?
- Irish, EU, UK and non EU artists.
Budget Allocations for Commissions
There are a total of five commissions available under the programme.
- Two commissions of up to €115,000 each.
- Two commissions of up to €75,000 each.
- One commission of up to €40,000
Download the application form and guidelines here
Application Deadline: Thursday 5th September 2024 at 4pm
Please send your completed proposal to: elaine.oneill@kilkennycoco.ie
with PUBLIC ARTS PROPOSAL IN THE SUBJECT LINE
No late proposals will be accepted
