The Arts Council proudly announces the acquisition of 29 new artworks by 24 artists, enriching the Arts Council Collection and reaffirming its commitment to developing excellence in the arts. These acquisitions underscore the Arts Council's dedication to supporting artists and ensuring their contributions to the arts are valued and compensated.

The Arts Council has been buying art from working artists since 1962 and the Collection now comprises almost 1,400 works of art. The artworks being added to the Collection each year are by artists who live and work in communities both across Ireland and internationally and reflects the immense quality of visual arts practice today.

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, said:

"We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of 29 new works, further enhancing the richness and diversity of the Arts Council Collection. Through these acquisitions, we continue to uphold our values of excellence, inclusivity, and integrity, ensuring that great art is made available and celebrated by all. We’re happy that we can facilitate the loans of these and other works to other public bodies, galleries and arts centres across the country, fostering greater engagement with new art works."

Eoin Dara, Head of Collection at the Arts Council, said:

"Being able to add this array of artworks by these incredible artists to our collection is a deep privilege. In acquiring work across such an eclectic range of media – from painting, photography and sculpture to film, performance and socially engaged practice – we can further develop and champion an expansive and ambitious definition of contemporary Irish art in 2024."

The artists with works newly added to the Collection are Cecilia Bullo, Serena Caulfield, Amanda Coogan, Vanessa Daws, David Eager Maher, Clare Gallagher, Fiona Hallinan, Michelle Malone, Siobhan McGibbon, Mary McIntyre, Seán Molloy, Amanda Rice, Daragh Soden, Brian Teeling, Corban Walker, Ruby Wallis and Sarah Wren Wilson. Collaborative works have also been acquired by The Domestic Godless (Stephen Brandes, Mick O’Shea and Irene Murphy), and Fiona Whelan in collaboration with Gary Keegan, Feidlim Cannon and Housing Action Now.

Works are acquired following a rigorous process of research and engagement led by the Collection Team with further input from the Collection Acquisitions Committee, who are responsible for final purchasing decisions. Members of the Arts Council’s outgoing Collection Acquisitions Committee: Aideen Barry – Artist, Caroline Cowley – Public Art Coordinator: Fingal Arts, Dónall Curtin (Chair) – former Arts Council member, Róise Goan – Arts Council Member, Dragana Jurišić – Artist, Mark O’Kelly – Artist/ former Arts Council member and Atoosa Pour Hosseini – Artist. A new committee will be formed later this year to oversee further acquisitions for the collection in 2024.

Details of the new works added to the collection can be found on our online Collection platform eMuseum.

Further information on the Arts Council Collection can be found on our website.

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