Opportunity for Schools & Visual Artists: Living Arts Project 2025-26

Wexford County Council Arts Department and Wexford Arts Centre
Closing Date: 8 May 2025

Wexford County Council Arts Department in partnership with Wexford Arts Centre and the Arts Council, is seeking applications from primary schools and visual artists to participate in the Living Arts Project commencing in September/October 2025.

The aim of the Living Arts Project is to provide children with an understanding and appreciation of contemporary visual art. Selected primary schools have the opportunity to host an artist in residence during the school year.

Eight Wexford-based artists will be selected and partnered with schools to create a body of work over the academic year. The residencies prioritise the development of the artists practice within the project and encourage engaging work from the pupils. The project also offers teachers an opportunity to observe and learn creative practices for use in the classroom.

The residencies will culminate in an exhibition of work from participating schools at Wexford Arts Centre in April 2026. Pupils participating in the project have the benefit of detailed guidance from the artist over the period of the residency and the opportunity to see their work exhibited in a gallery for their family and friends to view.

A total of four paid assistant artist positions are also available. Two mentoring sessions will be scheduled during each residency for assistant artists to provide advice on their own practice.

We are now receiving applications from interested primary schools and visual artists for lead and assistant roles. Joint applications for artists seeking to fulfil lead and assistant roles are welcome.

To note, schools taking part in Creative Schools (Creative Ireland Programme) are eligible to apply to the Living Arts Project.

Established in 2013, the Living Arts Project is a long-term visual arts educational scheme which consolidates the existing partnership between the Arts Department of Wexford County Council (WCC) and Wexford Arts Centre. It makes engagement with the fundamentals of contemporary visual art accessible for young audiences.

For further information on the Living Arts Project including a full brief and application form please click here or email catherine@wexfordartscentre.ie.

The Living Art Project is funded by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council, The Arts Council and participating schools. The project is managed by Wexford Arts Centre.

Deadline for expressions of interest is 4pm on Thursday 8th May, 2025.