The RDS Student Art Awards has an annual prize fund in excess of €16,000. Encompassing the RDS Taylor Art Award which has been awarded since 1860, the Awards are the most prestigious art awards open to registered art students of all award-bearing courses in Ireland.

The Awards continue the long tradition of the Society’s developmental role in supporting and nurturing the creative arts in Ireland. Until 1877, Ireland's first 'Drawing School' was managed by the Society after which it was transferred to the Government to become the Metropolitan School of Art and Design and later the National College of Art and Design.

The RDS Student Art Awards are significant in the recognition of excellence and best practice in the work of students registered in full and part-time award bearing art courses. They also provide a platform for exhibiting works that students might not have the opportunity to do otherwise. Previous winners of the RDS Student Art Awards include Walter Osborne, William Orpen, Mainie Jellett, Melanie Le Brocquy, Arthur Gibney, Dorothy Cross, Eamon O’Kane and James Hanley.

The Awards are judged by an expert panel of judges nominated by the Royal Hibernian Academy and the National Gallery of Ireland. The panel is chaired by an independent judge nominated by the RDS. Entries for this year's awards are encouraged in a diverse range of formats including multimedia, fine art photography, painting, drawing, print-making and installation work.

An exhibition of winners and a selection of works of excellence chosen by the judges is shown at the RDS National Crafts Competition & Student Art Awards Exhibition during the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show in the RDS Concert Hall. Each year the winning and commended entries from the RDS National Crafts Competition and the RDS Student Art Awards tour to venues both north and south of the country. The exhibitions help promote Ireland’s most promising and talented artists and designers to a wider audience. Works by by previous winners can be viewed in the photo gallery.   

See the list of 2011 RDS Student Art Awards Prize-winners. 

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