Organizer Information:

VISUAL and Carlow Arts Office. VISUAL is a large, multipurpose arts venue in Ireland with four distinct gallery spaces. The Carlow Arts Office supports artistic and cultural development across the region.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the VISUAL Carlow Open Call 2027.

This major collaboration invites exhibition proposals to realize an ambitious new project at VISUAL in September 2027. The winning applicant will benefit from comprehensive curatorial, production, technical, and marketing support to develop their project for any or all of VISUAL’s four gallery spaces (Main, Link, Studio, and Digital).

Category:

Visual Arts (Open to all media).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Open to professional visual artists of all career stages, working in any media locally, in Ireland, or internationally.
  • New Work Only: This open call is strictly for the commission of a newly conceived or unrealised project only. Submissions of existing, finished work will NOT be accepted.
  • Groups & Duos: Submissions from duos and groups are welcome, but the fee and budget will remain unchanged and must be divided among members.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Exhibition: Realization of an ambitious exhibition at VISUAL in September 2027.
  • Funding: The successful applicant will receive a generous artist fee and a significant production budget (allocations to be agreed upon prior to work beginning).
  • Institutional Support: Artists will have access to curatorial and production staff who can act as liaisons with specialist fabricators, art transporters, and learning/engagement programmers.
  • Shortlist Fee: Shortlisted artists may be paid a fee (where applicable) to expand their proposals for the second round of consideration.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: Free to apply.

Application Requirements:

  • Submission Format: Submissions can be made in writing, video, or audio format via email.
  • File Sharing Rules: If using WeTransfer or Dropbox, download links MUST remain valid for a minimum of 3 days after submitting, and hosting links MUST remain valid through June 2026.
  • Required Contents:
    1. Examples of Work: Up to 10 images, texts, audio, or moving image samples.
    2. Proposal Outline: Max 500 words (or 3 minutes if audio/video). You may also include up to 10 sketches, renderings, or supplementary images.
    3. Artist Information: CV, biography, and/or website link, plus up-to-date contact details.

How to Apply?

Email your complete submission package directly to opencall@visualcarlow.ie.

Key Dates:

  • Submission Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM GMT.
  • Shortlist Notification: By the end of June 2026.
  • Expanded Proposals Due (Shortlist Only): By the end of August 2026.
  • Winner Announced: September 2026.
  • Exhibition Date: September 2027.

Location:

VISUAL, Carlow, Ireland.

Contact Information:

Submissions & Inquiries Email: opencall@visualcarlow.ie