We are very lucky in Ireland, that we have so many arts centres spread out all over the country! These Arts Centres, for many, are a gateway into the Creative Arts in their community. It is a place where the arts are produced, shown, exhibited and consumed by the public. It is a place where you can become consumed by the arts either through Theatre, Music, Cinema, Dance or even visual art. In many cases, the Theatre has been the focal point for many of these Arts Centres. The programming mainly focuses on Theatre events such as plays, musicals, concerts, dance performances, and film. The stage is probably one of the most well-used resources of the Arts Centre. I am a big fan and have worked in Theatre for a number of years but I have noticed sometimes the Art Galleries in these Centres can get neglected because of the focus on Theatre events.

In some cases, the gallery is just a foyer that audiences walkthrough, that is barely even noticed. The artwork merely resembles wallpaper. It is a shame because they have so much potential, if only they were used properly. In saying that, there are also excellent galleries that deliver exhibitions that are exceptional, their curators go above and beyond! There needs to be more like these!

I am also a massive fan of Irish visual art and have worked in it for over 10 years. I am always delighted when a read a programme and come across both a visually and intellectually stimulating exhibition. Exhibitions in Arts Centers can be tricky to organize, as their audiences are quite vast and they are catering to many tastes. Exhibitions involve not only catering to audiences tastes but they should also exhibit a certain standard of work, should incorporate the environment and should have written content that can be understood by all members if its audience. Arts Centres can be the hearts of the community and every aspect of programming should reflect that community. Some Art Centres in Ireland also have the best Exhibition spaces in the country and when they are used effectively can create exhibitions that really can inspire their visitors. This makes it more enjoyable to engage, even if visual art feels like a mystery!

Here is a list of the some Art Centres in Ireland who have truly great Galleries (in no particular order!)

Temple Bar, Dublin

Gallery; Current, progressive and contemporary

The Project Arts Centre is a seriously cool spot! It’s got great Theatre and brilliant Visual Arts! In their own words;

“We’re Ireland’s leading centre for the development and presentation of contemporary art, across all forms of the performing and visual arts” – Project Arts Centre 2017

Bray, Co. Wicklow

Gallery; Engaging, community-led and traditional

I was very lucky to have worked at the Mermaid for a short time in 2012. While I was there, I got to see the best exhibition I’ve ever seen about Bray! It was very well received and shows how an art exhibition in an Arts Centre should be done! The exhibition was called from ‘From Bray with Love’. Here’s a little more info:

The exhibition also included an important collection of postcards sent from Bray by holiday-makers, featuring for example sightseers walking the promenade, the cable car built in the 1950s which brought visitors halfway up Bray Head, and an array of prominent hotels and boarding houses. – Mermaid Arts Centre 2012

Tallaght, Co. Dublin

Gallery; Interactive, digital and contemporary

Rua Red is a contemporary art space! In my opinion, it has one of the best art Galleries in Ireland! It has the perfect amount of natural lighting, the gallery is large (to accommodate any sized artwork or projections), they have not one but two galleries and always has very interesting programming! In their own words:

“Rua Red exhibit the work of established Irish and International artists who are committed to producing work within a socio political framework” Rua Red, 2018

Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Gallery; Contemporary, Educational and vibrant

They have a very current art programme, along with exhibition art, they also hold events that encourage dialogue about art. In their own words:

“The Dock provides support for artists to develop their practice and show new work through our residency programmes. Where possible we curate, commission and develop new work and support projects at a local, national and international level..The Dock is part of the fabric of the wider arts and enterprise community of Carrick on Shannon and the North West region supporting local arts initiatives and local enterprise including the many superb festival events taking place in the area…The Dock provides space for local arts groups and practitioners to meet, create and develop ideas and partnerships” The Dock, 2018

Cobh, Co. Cork

Gallery: Interdisciplinary, contemporary and collaborative

The Sirius Arts Centre always have great opportunities for artists to exhibit their work. They have a brilliant space and you can see how much they respect artists by the way they exhibit their work! Their mission is:

Sirius Arts Centre is interested in working with contemporary artists, both emerging and established, Irish and international. Sirius has a long history of presenting a wide range of interdisciplinary contemporary art and is currently especially interested in working with artists through a highly collaborative process and in the dialogue between artists, curators, communities and audiences

Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin

Gallery: Community-led, traditional and engaging

Draíocht is a multi-purpose arts & entertainment centre in the heart of Dublin’s Blanchardstown. It has two art galleries in which they show community led exhibitions of a traditional nature (painting, photography, etc).

Newbridge, Co. Kildare

Gallery: Traditional, collaborative and community-led

The aim of the Riverbank Arts Centre’s Visual Arts Programme is ‘to put the arts at the heart of Kildare life and people at the heart of the arts’. They wholeheartedly driven by the community. In their own words:

“The Visual Arts programme works with professional artists in a range of art forms from the established media of painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking to moving image, new media, live art, design and architecture…Exhibitions, projects, and events are selected and curated in-house by invitation and through an open selection process. Open Call’s for artists are published online, and through our various social media channels” Riverbank Arts Centre’s, 2018

Naul, Fingal, Co. Dublin

Gallery: Traditional arts, collaborative and community-led

The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre (formerly The Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre) is a non profit centre that “aims to promote and develop the Arts on a local and regional basis, and to this end, we organize and host performances, cultural events, exhibitions, sessions, workshops and classes weekly” Séamus Ennis Arts Centre 2018.

I would seriously encourage you to try and find out where your nearest Art Centre is, check out the programme, take a visit and go see something! The people who work there are most likely very nice and there are so many things to see; Art, Theatre, Film or Dance. The prices are also quite accessible which also helps!