Arts
In Ireland we are proud of our artists. Their contribution to Irish society is invaluable. The RDS is particularly proud to support artists at a crucially early stage in their professional career. We do this across visual art, music and craft, and help future generations reach their potential.
The RDS has a proud history of supporting the arts and was central to the establishment of several of our national cultural institutions. The RDS Arts Programme today provides significant financial support, as well as performance, studio, residency and exhibition opportunities to artists starting out in their professional careers.
Call for Expressions of Interest
RDS Foundation Arts Stand
Dublin Horse Show 2026
The RDS Foundation Arts Programme warmly invites expressions of interest from artists and craft makers to participate in a curated Arts Stand at the Dublin Horse Show 2026.
This is a unique opportunity to showcase your work within one of Ireland’s most high-profile public events, engaging a large and diverse audience. We are particularly interested in hearing from practitioners across visual art and craft whose work reflects strong material practice, innovation, and a connection to tradition and making.
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The 2026 RDS Dublin Horse Show will take place from 5–9 August 2026. This year, the event will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Aga Khan Trophy, featuring the finest international horse and rider combinations. The show is known for its vibrant social calendar, including Ladies’ Day, alongside a variety of entertainment options for families and equestrian enthusiasts alike. Tickets are available now, and the event promises a day filled with equestrian competitions, exhibitions, and family-friendly activities.
https://www.dublinhorseshow.com/We are seeking:
• Artists and makers interested in exhibiting their work
• Practitioners open to engaging audiences through live demonstration or making
• Interactive or participatory activity proposals
• Work suited to a dynamic, high-footfall, public-facing environmentActivities may include:
• Live making or demonstrations
• Interactive workshops (where feasible)
• Exhibition of finished work
• Sharing processes, materials, or techniques with audiences -
Please submit:
• A short cover letter (max. 1 page) introducing your practice and outlining your interest, including any ideas for audience engagement
• A link to your website or social mediaThis is an initial expression of interest no additional materials are required at this stage.
This opportunity is offered on a non-fee basis; however, we are pleased to support participating artists by covering reasonable travel expenses and providing access to the Dublin Horse Show. Artists will also have the opportunity to sell work, with a standard commission applied to all sales.
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Deadline: 8 June
Submit to: arts@rds.ieWhen submitting, please ensure your email is titled 'RDS Foundation Arts Stand, Dublin Horse Show 2026'
RDS Finding Common Ground Festival
Art for climate justice. Creativity for change. RDS Foundation Arts is proud to support artists leading the conversation. Following the recent artist Open Call for the RDS Finding Common Ground, our finalists have a variety of events taking place across the festival. We encourage you to discover them through the links below.
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Spoken word poet Cormac Mac Gearailt presents a selection of his award-winning work. Delivered in both the English and Irish languages, Cormac will explore heritage and tradition, as well as ecological and language loss, the threats to nature and the world, and what must be done to tackle them.
Beginning with the seed that takes root, Cormac’s work will move through tradition, loss and crisis, and end on a note of hope and the need for collective action, all delivered in his trademark engaging, embodied style.
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Join some of Ireland's favourite comedians while they navigate the Climate Crisis through the renewable power of Comedy! Hitting on hilarious topics such as Climate Justice, Ecology & Sustainability no comedy stone will be left unturned! Serious times call for humorous measures so we can laugh, learn and connect together while firing into action!
Featuring award winning Colm O'Regan (author of Climate Worrier), Diane O'Connor ( The Accidental Activist), Aine Gallagher (aka "Queen of the Off Beat") and Joe Rooney (Father Ted) . Collectively they have played every top club and festival in Ireland and together we will laugh our way to a better future, probably...
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“Navigating the Forest” is a sculptural installation of nine partially carved branches from an oak tree grown in Ireland from an acorn brought back from the Somme after World War I. Drawing on the archetype of the World Tree, the artist engraves map‑like patterns into the branches to explore how humans understand, use, and damage natural resources and ecosystems. Arranged as a ritual grove, the work invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with land and ecology, while a central uncarved branch invites them to mark places of personal meaning, creating a collective map of all who engage with the piece.
Join the artist Murrough O'Donovan on a tour of his sculptural installation.
