The Taylor Art Trust
Steeped in a rich history of Irish art, the RDS Taylor Art Prize (€10,000) is the premier award of the RDS Visual Art Awards. Previous winners (1878 - 2022) include Walter Osborne, Sir William Orpen, Seán Keating, Nora McGuinness and Louis le Brocquy alongside contemporary artists such as Eamon O'Kane, Dorothy Cross and James Hanley.
The Taylor Art Trust was formed in 1878 in response to the will of Captain George Archibald Taylor who died in 1854 leaving £2,000 for the “the promotion of art and industry in Ireland”. The executors of his will asked the RDS to manage the Trust, and the Taylor Art Awards were established in 1860 with the Trust finally formalised 18 years later.
The Taylor Art Award is given annually to a graduate of an Irish art college or an Irish art student graduating from an art college abroad to assist them with the development of their career as a visual artist. The Judging panel of the RDS Visual Art Awards decide upon the winner.
The Taylor Art Trust consists of four trustees who meet formally twice a year. Two are self-appointed as “descendants” of the original executors of the will of Captain Taylor. Two are recommended by the Council of the RDS. Decisions are made by all four trustees. The Trust is managed by the Trustees and the RDS provides administrative support. The accounts are independently audited annually.
The Taylor Art Trustees are Lucy Durack (Chair), David Horkan, Angus McDonnell, Gaby Smyth and Jennifer Caldwell.
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"Being part of the RDS Visual Art Awards has literally changed my life and progressed my career forward as an artist, beyond what I could ever have imagined." Elaine Hoey, Taylor Art Award Winner 2016
“Winning the Award was a great privilege for me, it was like a neon sign showing me I was on the right path, encouraging me to follow it further and do my Masters. Since completing my Masters in Fine Art I’m continuing to build my career. I think the Award gives my work credibility, a statement that my work is of high standard. It also validated the Pop Surrealism genre of Art that I make, which in the past had been described to me as outsider art, it has given me a confidence to make the art I love and develop it further.” Harriet Myfanwy Nia Tahany, Taylor Art Award 2007
“Winning the Taylor Art Award gave me confidence at that daunting stage when one just leaves college. It enabled me to purchase materials, to set up my own print studio independently and to continue working in my chosen medium.” Jennifer Cunningham, Taylor Art Award 2002
“Winning the Taylor Art Award in 1991 meant an enormous amount to me at an early stage in my career. There was no family history of art with me, I had already been to university before Art College and the economic situation in Ireland at the time was dire. To win this prestigious prize, with its meaningful historical links and its generous financial help, meant that my debts were cleared, my confidence was boosted and I felt that I was really on my way. Heartfelt gratitude to the RDS.” James Hanley, Taylor Art Award 1991
“The Taylor Art Award was a great boost for me. It helped me to get my first film ‘The Silver Bow’ screened all over the world, from Australia to the U.S. to the Middle East. It can cost quite a bit of money to enter some festivals. The award has given me the opportunity to develop a 35mm print of the film.” Robert Manson, Taylor Art Award 2008
“I was awarded the RDS Taylor Award in 1999. The recognition and opportunity to be part of a national travelling exhibition was tremendous. This prestigious award at the start of my artistic career continues to be a significant achievement and validation.” Isobel Egan, Taylor Art Award 1999
“The RDS Taylor Art Award gave me the motivation and financial freedom necessary to mount a solo exhibition, but more importantly, at a time when I required it most it gave me the confidence to continue pursuing a career as an artist.” Peter Murray Year of Award: 2009 “I was a 19 year old student of fine art in 1982 when I won the RDS Taylor Award for Painting. It was a wonderful experience as it afforded me the further studies I undertook in Florence with the renowned Professor and Portrait painter Pietro Annigoni. Painting is, and always has been my life. I am and have since 1985 at the age of 22 been a lecturer in drawing and painting at the National College of Art and Design.” Kenneth Donfield, Taylor Art Award 1982
“This award has been vital in establishing my practice. Its accolade and financial support has enabled me to realize ever more ambitious projects and bridge the gap from graduate to artist.” Maria McKinney, Taylor Art Award 2005
“I used the Award to buy a bunch of materials, which was terrifically useful; but more important than the money, especially at that tender stage of my practice, was the confidence it engendered - the sense that what I did was of some value to someone other than myself. That feeling should not be under-estimated, especially at the beginning of a career.” Ronnie Hughes, Taylor Art Award 1989
