Call for Artists: Nature and Place 2026/2027 (Ireland)

Deadline: 05-Aug-2026

The Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown River and Coast Arts Commission 2026–2027 invites professional artists to create temporary, public-facing artworks responding to the Shanganagh River and Shankill coastal environment in Ireland. The programme focuses on climate change, flooding, biodiversity loss, and coastal resilience through collaborative, research-informed, and community-engaged artistic practice. It offers a €20,000 budget to support projects using audio, film, field recordings, and public engagement activities between November 2026 and September 2027.

Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Arts River & Coast Commission — Overview

The Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown River and Coast Arts Commission 2026–2027 is a public art initiative led by the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council Arts Office.

It supports professional artists in developing temporary, site-responsive works that engage directly with environmental change along rivers and coastal landscapes in the Shanganagh and Shankill area.

Purpose of the Commission

The programme aims to connect art, science, and community engagement to address environmental challenges.

Key objectives:

• Explore climate change impacts on river and coastal systems
• Increase public awareness of flooding, erosion, and sea-level rise
• Support biodiversity restoration and nature recovery
• Strengthen community engagement with local environments
• Encourage collaboration between artists and environmental experts
• Translate scientific knowledge into accessible public experiences

Project Location and Context

The commission focuses on a specific ecological and community landscape.

Primary sites:

• Lower Shanganagh River
• Shanganagh River floodplain
• Shankill shoreline and coastal zone
• Shanganagh Park area

Environmental context:

• River–sea–land interaction zone
• Area affected by flooding and erosion
• Biodiversity and habitat transition space
• High relevance to climate adaptation challenges

Themes and Focus Areas

Artists are expected to respond to major environmental and social themes:

Climate and environmental change:

• Sea level rise
• Flooding and extreme weather
• Coastal erosion
• Water quality changes

Ecology and biodiversity:

• Habitat loss and restoration
• Nature recovery initiatives
• Biodiversity protection and reconnection

Human and community interaction:

• Community relationship to landscape
• Environmental awareness and responsibility
• Citizen engagement and participation

Systems and resilience:

• Nature-based solutions
• Climate adaptation strategies
• River–coastal system dynamics

Artistic Approach and Formats

The commission supports temporary, non-permanent public artworks.

Preferred formats:

• Audio-based works
  • Sound walks
  • Field recordings
  • Podcasts
• Lens-based media
  • Film
  • Video
  • Documentary approaches
• Observational site-based work
  • Environmental documentation
  • Place-based research outputs

Approach requirements:

• Work must be non-performative or non-scripted narrative
• Emphasis on listening, observation, and real environments
• Strong site responsiveness
• Temporary and low-impact installation

Collaboration and Research Requirements

Artists are expected to integrate scientific and community knowledge.

Collaboration may include:

• Ecologists and biodiversity experts
• Water quality specialists
• Coastal and climate scientists
• Environmental and conservation groups

Engagement expectations:

• Translate scientific concepts into public-facing experiences
• Facilitate dialogue on environmental change
• Work with local residents and environmental volunteers

Public Engagement Requirements

Sustained community engagement is central to the project.

Required or encouraged activities:

• Guided walks along river and coast
• Outdoor workshops and listening events
• Community talks and discussions
• Public screenings or informal presentations

Target participants:

• Local residents
• Walkers and swimmers
• Environmental volunteers
• Community groups

Goal:

• Build long-term relationships between people and place
• Encourage ongoing environmental awareness

Budget and Funding

Total funding available:

• €20,000 (including VAT where applicable)

Budget covers:

• Artist fee
• Collaboration and partner payments
• Production of public outputs
• Documentation (audio, video, writing, images)
• Insurance and administrative costs
• Modest travel and equipment costs

Restrictions:

• No international travel funding
• Focus on local, low-impact delivery
• Emphasis on frequent site engagement

Eligibility and Working Conditions

Artists must:

• Be professional practitioners
• Be able to work on-site regularly
• Visit Shanganagh and Shankill area frequently
• Commit to sustained engagement across project period

Delivery expectations:

• Collaboration with Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council
• Coordination with landowners and partners
• Compliance with access and environmental permissions

Timeline

Project period:

• November 2026 to September 2027

Phases:

• Research and site engagement
• Collaboration with experts and community groups
• Development of public-facing works
• Delivery of events and activities
• Documentation and public dissemination

Expected Outcomes

The commission aims to produce:

• Temporary public artworks in coastal and river environments
• Audio and visual documentation of place
• Community participation events
• Environmental awareness experiences
• Long-term digital or accessible outputs extending project impact

Why It Matters

The Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown River and Coast Arts Commission 2026–2027 integrates contemporary art with urgent environmental issues.

It:

• Enhances public understanding of climate change impacts
• Connects communities with local ecosystems
• Supports interdisciplinary collaboration between art and science
• Encourages environmental stewardship and awareness
• Strengthens cultural responses to ecological change

How It Works

1. Artist selection and proposal development
   • Define concept responding to site and themes
2. Research and site engagement
   • Visit Shanganagh and Shankill regularly
3. Collaboration phase
   • Work with environmental and scientific experts
4. Community engagement
   • Organise walks, workshops, and public events
5. Production of artworks
   • Develop audio, film, or site-based outputs
6. Public presentation
   • Share work in outdoor or local contexts
7. Documentation and legacy
   • Produce accessible materials for long-term use

Common Mistakes

• Designing permanent or large physical installations
• Lack of engagement with environmental science
• Insufficient community participation planning
• Over-reliance on studio-based rather than site-based work
• Ignoring climate or ecological relevance
• Weak planning for ongoing public engagement

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Embed climate and ecological research in concept
• Collaborate early with scientists or environmental groups
• Prioritise site-specific, observational methods
• Design accessible public engagement activities
• Keep work temporary, flexible, and low-impact
• Plan for documentation and digital legacy outputs
• Ensure frequent presence in the landscape

FAQ

What is the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Arts Commission?

• It is a public art programme by the Arts Office.
  • Focus:
    • Environmental and climate-themed artistic projects
    • Temporary, site-specific works in river and coastal areas

Where is the project located?

• Key locations include:
  • Lower Shanganagh River
  • Shanganagh floodplain
  • Shankill shoreline
  • Shanganagh Park coastal zone

Who can apply?

• Professional artists who:
  • Can work on-site in Ireland
  • Have experience in public or site-responsive art
  • Can engage with communities and environments

What is the funding amount?

• Total budget:
  • €20,000 (including VAT)
• Covers:
  • Artist fees
  • Production and documentation
  • Collaboration costs
  • Limited travel and equipment

What types of work are supported?

• Supported formats include:
  • Audio works (sound walks, podcasts)
  • Film and video
  • Field recordings
  • Documentary or observational work

What is not supported?

• Not supported:
  • International travel costs
  • Permanent installations
  • Highly scripted narrative film
  • High-impact or non-localised interventions

What is the main requirement?

• Sustained public engagement:
  • Workshops
  • Walks
  • Talks and screenings
• Ongoing interaction with community and landscape

Why is collaboration important?

• Collaboration ensures:
  • Scientific accuracy
  • Environmental relevance
  • Stronger public understanding
  • Integration of art and ecology

Conclusion

The Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown River and Coast Arts Commission 2026–2027 supports artists in creating temporary, research-informed public works that respond to climate change and coastal transformation. By combining artistic practice, scientific collaboration, and community engagement, it fosters deeper awareness of environmental change in the Shanganagh and Shankill landscape.

For more information, visit Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts.