Kilkenny Arts Office develops, co-ordinates, motivates, inspires and empower artistic activity throughout the city and county. It promotes the arts as a worthwhile activity for all and work to further strengthen Kilkenny’s position as a centre of excellence for the arts and ensure a successful and prosperous arts environment within the region. At the core of our work is the practitioner as we fully believe that their development and progression is fundamental to the quality and richness of the arts in the county.
In July 2024 the Arts Office in collaboration with Curator Rachel Botha commenced the Tea Houses Programme, activating the two Tea Houses situated by the river Nore. The plan for the spaces is to use them as curatorial research and production spaces, as a gallery, residency and project space.
The Tea House Programme: Strategic Objectives
The Tea House programme was established with the objective of supporting the development, creation, and presentation of a new programme of activities, thereby enriching Kilkenny’s cultural landscape for both local and national artists and audiences. The Tea Houses are envisioned as a prominent venue for contemporary art – actively connecting with existing artist communities, networks, and cultural audiences across Kilkenny City and County. Collaboration with the Kilkenny Arts Office in curating and programming the space ensures alignment with Kilkenny County Council’s strategic arts priorities and fosters a vibrant, artist-led environment. The programming to date has fully met if not exceeded the above. Rachel has worked collaboratively with the Arts Office to deliver a hugely successful programme, including exhibitions, residencies, artists support events, and community projects.
The Tea Houses have already established themselves as a vital aspect of support for artists and the arts community in Kilkenny. Our programme aligns with local and national aims and objectives, advancing key strategic priorities through its artist-centered, inclusive and community-driven approach, as outlined below:
- Support for Artists
The programme actively fosters ambition and innovation by supporting high-quality creative output. Including:
- Providing curatorial support to artists
- Commissioning new work
- Collaborating with both local and national artists
- Launching The Nore Review — Kilkenny’s inaugural artists’ journal
- Artist-Centered Development
- Our approach prioritises artists, ensuring they remain central to all developmental initiatives. We provide:
- Tailored residency programmes
- Support and advice to artists
- Informal engagement platforms such as artist cafés and funding clubs
- Facilitating Professional and Career Development
- We are committed to enabling career progression by promoting:
- Skill-sharing opportunities
- Networking events
- Targeted professional development sessions, including:
- Funding clinics
- Collaborative workshops
- Peer-led exchanges
- Broadening Public Engagement
- We expand access to contemporary art through inclusive, dynamic programming such as:
- Exhibitions featuring both professional and emerging artists
- Diverse and accessible workshops and events
- Promoting Inclusion and Participation
- Initiatives reflect a strong focus on diversity and openness, including:
- Showcasing work by artists from a wide range of backgrounds
- Creating a Supportive Artistic Ecosystem
- The Tea Houses provides a physical space where local and national artists can:
- Exhibit work
- Build relationships
- Foster collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas
- Strengthening Local Capacity
- The programme is enhancing the existing arts infrastructure and empowering artists and the wider community through collaboration and shared creativity.
Crucially it is providing spaces for artists local and national to congregate, exhibit, produce new work, experiment, network and build alliances.
Essentially, the Tea Houses provide artists – both local and national – with dedicated spaces to produce new work, experiment, exhibit, connect with peers and develop their practices. These activities foster artistic growth, professional development, and a sense of belonging within a supportive community.
THE PROGRAMME – The first 12 months
2024
- In 2024 – first exhibition – Everything Flowing was with artist and KCAT member Sinéad Fahey, we welcomed over 500 people into the space over the ten
- Workshop inspired by Sinead’s unique style facilitated by artist Saidhbhín Gibson, taking place outside alongside the River Nore.
- This was followed by Culture Night and the opening of Toil and Moil, an exhibition by recent graduate Emma Swan examining processes of labour and industry, including a showcase of posters from the international project ‘Celebrate People’s History’ and an online talk with New York based organiser Josh McPhee.
- Inspired by grassroots action and activism we facilitated a linocut printmaking workshop with Michelle McMahon thinking about our personal struggles and local causes.
- Artist lunch outside on the patio and welcomed Elinor O’Donovon, the secretary of Praxis Artists’ Trade Union and discussed the importance of trade unions for creative practitioners
- First Artists Sharing Sessions with Kilkenny based painter Sinéad Lucey, an informal, artist-led workshop aimed at creating space for artists to gather, connect, and explore practice in a supportive and shared
- We hosted a Talk & Walk with artist Gareth Kennedy as part of his Rhizome residency, exploring potentials for novel green spaces and citizen based ecological practice and climate action in This took place in Butler Gallery, the Tea Houses, and along the River Nore and Abbey Quarter.
- We had a festive launch of the first issue of the annual art journal The Nore Review; it included invited contributions from Brown Mountain Diamond and Kasia Kaminska, commissioned texts from Emily Cooper in response to the work of Sinéad Lucey and Sorcha McNamara in response to Robert Dunne’s studio practice.
- RESIDENCIES – The studio spaces were used by local artist Carrie Lynam and artist / writer Alice Carrie concluded her residency with a special in-conversation event featuring artist, curator and arts educator Claire Halpin, focusing on research processes, as well as modes of production and creation.
Artist Carrie Lynam in conversation with Claire Halpin
The 2025 programme, to date has included:
- In 2025 integral steps have been made in the future-proofing of the Tea Houses; and providing various opportunities for the arts community to connect and strengthen.
- Planning and production has involved:
- Applying for funding, such as the Creative Ireland (successful), Kilkenny Public Art Award (unsuccessful), Poetry Ireland Bright Ideas Bursary (successful), Culture Night (successful), Visual Arts Bursary, Curator Strand, Arts Council (pending).
- Strengthening partnerships with Butler Gallery, Father McGrath Resource Centre, Mayfair Library, KCAT artists’ studios, and Rothe
- Rachel has held meetings with local and national artists, as well as conducting studio visits. This has entailed providing curatorial support for exhibiting artists in applying for further funding to cover materials, remuneration and additional costs; writing letters of support; developing a public programme; creating a marketing plan; and overall project research.
- Scheduling of events, exhibitions, residencies, and the public programme for the rest of 2025.
- Future-proofing has involved:
- Consultation with prominent figures in the arts industry, such as curator Kate Strain who is the director of Kunstverein Aughrim.
- Working with the designer Emmet Brown to develop the Tea Houses’ visual identity ie. logo, signage, stationery and window vinyl.
- Developing policies such as a programme policy including the strategic aims of the organisation.
Activities and Events
- Four Funding Clubs for local artists. This is an opportunity for artists to work on their applications collectively, as well as receive advice and support in applying for local authority and Arts Council funding. We have received news that many of the artists who participated were successful in their This is also an opportunity to give organisational support to artists with the possibility of using the Tea Houses for rehearsals, meetings, photographing work etc.
- Sharing Session with artist Mark Buckeridge, an informal, artist-led workshop aimed at creating space for artists to gather, connect, and explore practice in a supportive and shared setting.
- To mark the end of Edwina Bracken’s 3-month artist residency in the studio we hosted an in-conversation event with curator Eamonn Maxwell.
- Hosted an artist lunch with 20 attendees, a casual gathering for local artists to catch up, share food and conversation.
- Artist and Curator Residencies and Workspace Use:
- Artist Edwina Bracken used the studio Tea House, January to beginning
- Curator Rachel Botha is using the project space Tea House
- Artist Carrie Lynam used the project space Tea House, 2 weeks in
- Kieran Kehoe is using the basement space for a sound art
- Róisín Sheehy is using the studio Tea House, May to
Exhibitions
- Recently we had Saidhbhín Gibson’s solo exhibition With Inclined Ear, Saturday 10 May until Saturday 14 This exhibition looked at sheep’s wool and its value, highlighting the immense disconnect between humans and natural fibres. It included an extensive public programme.
- Saturday 10 May: Opening and curator – artist conversation, Rachel Botha and Saidhbhín Gibson discussed artistic process and ideas around wool in terms of valuing the textile, the sheep and the farmer.
Artist Saidhbhin Gibson in conversation with Curator Rachel Botha
- Saturday 17 May [National Drawing Day]: travelled by minibus to a farm outside Thomastown and a group spent the day drawing in a field with sheep.
- Saturday 24 May: Wool Demonstration, about the farm to the fibre process of wool in Rothe House, home of John Rothe, a prominent wool merchant and owner of a mill on the River Nore.
- Followed by a HUDDLE session, an art writing and discussion group devised by Saidhbhín Gibson to facilitate those interested in contemporary art to come together.
- In June we had the opening of the 10-day exhibition by the AfterWords Collective, a selection of prints, paintings and sculptures beautifully curated by Caroline Schofield, inspired by France Moore’s We had over 130 people attending the opening on Saturday 21 June.
‘Afterwords’ exhibition launch – the artists
- Rachel is currently working with artist Kate Fahey towards her solo exhibition for the Kilkenny Arts Festival, looking at Lady Desart’s prevalent involvement in the Arts & Crafts revival movement and specifically with Talbot’s Inch model village. We are conducting archival research at Rothe House and doing site visits to Talbot’s Inch. The research and development will result in a series of sonic-sculptures including field recordings of the River Nore and a live performance.
Quantitative insights
Events- 36
Engagement – 2,086
Number of Artists – 20
Others i.e. photographers, designers, facilitators -14
Qualitative insights – Feedback & testimonials
The Tea Houses address this gap by offering a space for professional development, artistic production, and community-building. Through initiatives such as the Funding Clubs and general curatorial support, I have seen local artists successfully secure funding from both the Arts Council and local authority, as well exhibition opportunities and commissions. I am committed to helping artists develop and realise ambitious, experimental work that resonates with both local and national audiences.
The Tea Houses are gaining a growing national reputation as a valuable artist-led space that supports artistic practice and delivers a responsive, dynamic programme rooted in the specific context of Kilkenny.
Located within a well-used public area – surrounded by benches, a bus stop, the river walk, and a route to the skate park – the Tea Houses are embedded in the everyday life of the city. They provide unexpected encounters with contemporary art and are increasingly recognised as part of Kilkenny’s cultural trail, connecting sites such as Butler Gallery, An Chéad Tine, Rothe House, Watergate Theatre, the Mayfair Library, and St. Canice’s Cathedral.
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The studio space was not only a physical space for research and art making but a meeting point to connect with other artists, curator Rachel Botha, third level students and the general public. This meeting point allowed for conversations to be had about themes I was exploring in the work.
As an artist I usually work in isolation, so conversations with the wider community is immensely important, the Tea House afforded me this valuable opportunity to be a part of a community of practice.
The Teahouse platformed my work through their social media channels, this seems like a small aspect but in fact it was very important as the Tea House has a strong reputation on the Irish art scene, meaning my work was exposed to new audiences. This exposure cannot be underestimated in terms of the opportunities it could afford me.
The time and space to research and execute a new large work was important for my career. I completed an artwork which has allowed me to apply for national exhibitions and grant opportunities. Thank you very much for this opportunity
‘Making a Scene’, by Carrie Lynam (2025), Embroidered and appliquéd textile drawing
An experience of rare calm and clarity.
The setting was very different from my usual working space of the small and cluttered kitchen table I usually work at. I found this space well suited to painting and making. The occasional curious visitor climbed the stairs to ask a little about the history and rebirth of the Tea Houses in Kilkenny and I welcomed these encounters, it made me feel as if I was an important part of the City and its busy-ness. The visitors themselves were impressed to see the space being used and commented favourably on the initiative, telling me they were glad to know that artists were being supported in Kilkenny, and that ‘dead’ spaces were being restored in the City.
Both spaces offered me valuable physical room but much more importantly, provided me with mental and creative space too. Being granted this time, space, and support in such a calm setting, proved invaluable to my ongoing practise as writer and artist. Knowing the benefits, I began to seek out more opportunities for the same calm and clarity I experienced there and my work has definitely benefited.
I’m deeply grateful to the Arts Office for offering this opportunity to work in such a perfectly conducive creative environment.
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The Tea Houses have been a wonderful addition to the visual arts in Kilkenny. The curator Rachel Botha is open, highly knowledgeable and visionary. She produces a dynamic contemporary programme which introduces progressive, ambitious artists who are immersed in important contemporary issues, producing engaging, exciting and challenging work.
Rachels series of bringing artists as teachers and facilitators together in an informal group/class format looking at contemporary art through drawing, music, conversation and artist lunches are a game changer for artists and audiences in Kilkenny, allowing for knowledge sharing and new learning, leading to more expansive thinking and modes of artmaking……and the Tea Houses buildings themselves with their high ceilings and large windows looking directly on to the River Nore lend a beautiful, calming and grounded environment conducive to all forms of creativity. I look forward to my next visit.
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The entire experience was a complete game changer for my practice. In terms of physical space, I was able to work, in a very bright, airy studio with ample natural light and high ceilings. This not only enabled me to increase the scale of the work I could produce, but it also allowed me to hang all the paintings on the wall. As works in progress, I was able to live with them and consider them as individual pieces and as part of groupings. This is a crucial aspect of the development and editing process of a body of work. This space was a beautiful and peaceful place to work. Furthermore, I had 24-hour access, 7 days a week. The impact of this on my output was huge. My rate of production was significantly increased by having a beautiful, clean, bright, warm, dedicated studio space to work in.
The other aspect which I really appreciated was being ‘in the city’. I felt less isolated and much more part of the community during my time on the residency.
The support I have received from the Kilkenny Arts Office has been instrumental in developing and pushing my artistic career forward. Providing spaces for artists to make work, develop professional networks and enabling them to be more visible in the community is one of the most profound things a local authority can do, to grow and foster a thriving arts and cultural community.
