Organizer Information
This open call is issued by Offaly County Council in partnership with Tullamore Tidy Towns and supported through the Creative Ireland Programme. Offaly County Council is the local authority responsible for governance, planning, cultural development, and public realm initiatives across County Offaly, Ireland. Through its Arts Office and Creative Communities programme, the Council actively commissions public art projects, supports professional artists, and integrates culture into urban regeneration and community development strategies.
Tullamore Tidy Towns is a long-established volunteer organization dedicated to improving the environmental quality, biodiversity, and civic pride of Tullamore. The group works on ongoing beautification projects, pollinator initiatives, and sustainability efforts, and has achieved repeated national recognition in Ireland’s SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards.
Together, these organizations aim to enhance public space, strengthen local identity, and support long-term cultural and environmental engagement through high-quality public art interventions.
Title & Description
Tullamore Murals 2026 – 2030 – Artist Panel for Large-Scale Public Murals
This open call establishes a five-year Artist Panel (2026–2030) to deliver up to eight large-scale exterior mural commissions across Tullamore, County Offaly. The initiative seeks to activate public space through contemporary mural practice, transforming key urban and peripheral locations into a connected, self-guided mural trail.
Selected artists will be invited to develop original site-specific mural proposals that respond to Tullamore’s identity, including its cultural heritage, industrial history, ecological landscapes, and evolving civic life. Commissioned works may be assigned through direct invitation or competitive proposals within the panel.
Murals are intended to contribute to urban regeneration, tourism engagement, and community pride while reflecting meaningful interaction with local stories and environments. The programme emphasises long-term artistic presence in the town, with opportunities for recurring commissions across the panel duration.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Public Art
- Mural Art / Street Art
- Site-Specific Installation
- Community Arts
- Large-Scale Painting
- Urban Art / Public Realm Projects
Eligibility
- Professional visual artists with proven experience in large-scale exterior mural production
- Open to international and national applicants
- Applicants must be 18 years or older
- Must be able to obtain Public Liability Insurance (up to €6.5 million if commissioned)
- Must comply with health & safety regulations required by Offaly County Council
- Must be able to provide a Tax Clearance Certificate if commissioned
- Ability to manage complex outdoor production environments (scaffolding, MEWP, site coordination) is essential
Program Benefits & Awards
- Inclusion in a 5-year curated Artist Panel (2026–2030)
- Opportunity for multiple mural commissions across the programme period
- Commission fees ranging from €5,000 – €15,000 per mural (all-inclusive budget covering artist fee, materials, travel, insurance, VAT, and production costs)
- Potential for repeat commissions and long-term visibility in public space
- Integration into a town-wide mural trail and cultural regeneration initiative
- Professional development through public art production and community engagement activities
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a single PDF file including:
- Artist statement and relevant experience (max 300 words), including public engagement work
- Methodology statement (max 300 words) covering:
- Site working approach
- Health & safety procedures
- Risk assessment
- Traffic management
- Working at height/scaffolding / MEWP experience
- Materials used in outdoor mural production
- Up to 6 images of previous large-scale works (embedded JPEGs)
- CV and two professional references
- Proof of public liability insurance or confirmation of ability to obtain it
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 May 2026
- Panel Duration: 2026 – 2030 (with possible extension up to 2 years)
- First Commission Production Window: August – September 2026
Location
Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland
Additional Details
- Selected artists will receive full site briefs, including measurements, photographic documentation, and health & safety induction.
- Artists are responsible for site coordination, including scaffolding, MEWP, exclusion zones, and potentially traffic management planning.
- Each commissioned project must include a community engagement component such as a workshop, talk, or school visit.
- Permissions for sites will be handled by Offaly County Council and Tullamore Tidy Towns.
- Inclusion in the panel does not guarantee a commission.
- The Council reserves the right not to appoint artists or to discontinue the panel.
- Projects aim to produce durable, accessible public artworks that reflect local identity and heritage.