Organizer Information
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) Arts Office, in partnership with dlr Libraries, is a leading public cultural body in Ireland dedicated to fostering artistic innovation, community engagement, and access to the arts. Through its Public Arts Programme, The Story We Tell Tomorrow, dlr supports artists in creating work that responds to social, technological, and environmental change. Funded through the Per Cent for Art Scheme, this initiative reflects Ireland’s long-standing commitment to integrating art into public life.
The new Stillorgan Library, set to open in 2026 in South County Dublin, represents a significant cultural investment. Designed as a modern civic space, it aims to serve as a hub for learning, creativity, and community interaction. This digital arts commission is part of a broader strategy to position libraries as active cultural laboratories where artists and communities collaborate to explore new forms of storytelling and digital expression.
Title & Description
dlr Public Arts Digital Arts Commission 2026–2027 (Stillorgan Library, Ireland)
The dlr Public Arts Digital Arts Commission 2026–2027 is a major digital art commission offering a 12-month engagement for an artist (or collective) to develop a community-focused project at the new Stillorgan Library in Dublin, Ireland. With a total budget of €40,000, this opportunity invites artists to explore the creative potential of digital technologies through public interaction, research, and artistic production.
The selected artist will work closely with library users and the local community to design and deliver a series of participatory activities—such as workshops, drop-in sessions, and collaborative experiments—centered around emerging technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), animation, and creative coding.
A key outcome of the commission will be the creation of new digital artworks that reflect collective narratives and address the central theme of the programme: “The Story We Tell Tomorrow.” Artists are encouraged to investigate how technology, memory, and community shape future cultural identities.
The project emphasizes accessibility, inclusivity, and intergenerational engagement, with a particular focus on involving young people aged 12–18. The artist will deliver a minimum of 10 public activities and produce work that can be shared and disseminated with the support of dlr Arts Office and Libraries.
Categories
- Digital Art
- New Media
- Multimedia
- Visual Arts
- Installation
- Community-Based Art
- Interdisciplinary Practices
Eligibility
- Professional artists with experience in digital or emerging media practices
- Artists working across disciplines (including hybrid and interdisciplinary approaches)
- Artists with proven experience in community engagement and participatory projects
- Individuals or collectives eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland
- Artists capable of committing to a 12-month project and regular on-site engagement
Applicants do not need to be based in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown but must be able to travel regularly to Stillorgan Library. The program encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Total commission budget of €40,000 (inclusive of VAT)
- Artist fees covering project development, delivery, and production
- Budget for public engagement activities (materials, accessibility, printing)
- Technical and production support for digital artworks
- Coverage of local transport/travel costs (excluding international travel)
- Free access to library spaces (event areas, exhibition space, meeting rooms)
- Access to digital tools (VR headsets, 3D printers, tablets, computers)
- Curatorial and institutional support from dlr Arts Office and Libraries
- Access to library archives and collections
- Community networking and promotional support
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Artist CV
- Letter of recommendation
- Portfolio (minimum three examples of relevant work)
- Project proposal (max. 1000 words) OR a short video (max. 5 minutes)
- Statement of relevant experience (max. 700 words)
- Proposed timeline for the 12-month project
- Detailed budget breakdown
All materials must be uploaded via the official application platform.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 12 May 2026
- Selection Panel Review: Week of May 25, 2026
- Notification of Results: By June 12, 2026
- Project Start Date: October 2026 (approximate)
- Duration: 12 months
Location
Stillorgan Library, Dublin, Ireland
Additional Details
- Only one project will be selected through this open competition.
- The evaluation process is based on artistic quality (40%), experience (30%), and feasibility (30%).
- Artists must deliver at least 10 public engagement activities during the commission.
- Public Liability Insurance is required (up to €6.5 million coverage).
- Garda Vetting is mandatory for artists working with children or vulnerable groups.
- Projects must comply with health, safety, and GDPR regulations.
- Artists are encouraged to consider environmental sustainability in their proposals.
This commission represents a significant opportunity for artists interested in public engagement, digital innovation, and socially driven art practices, offering both financial support and a platform for meaningful community impact.