Collection Acquisitions Open Submission Scheme
Sorry, this programme is closed. If you need help please contact us
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland invites submissions under this scheme for artworks to consider for purchase for the Collection.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s specific objectives with respect to acquisitions are to:
- support individual artists
- contribute to the development of visual arts practice in Northern Ireland
- develop a culture in which visual art is respected and appreciated
- foster knowledge and research
- ensure that contemporary visual arts are showcased
- stimulate the art market in Northern Ireland
Priority is given to artists whose work is both challenging and innovative. Priority is also given to work from emerging artists, and from those whose work is not currently represented in the collection. However, only those artists who have had an artwork purchased or commissioned for the collection in the past 12 months will be ineligible to apply. Only works up to a maximum purchase price of £5,000 will be considered. Works in all media will be considered including painting, sculpture, craft, print, photography, and digital and video work. All works must have been completed in the last 3 years and should be the original work of the artist. The number of prints or copies in an edition should be clearly stated.
Who can apply?
Artists of all disciplines and in all types of working practice, who have made a contribution to artistic activities in Northern Ireland for a minimum period of one year within the last five years.
Artists from Northern Ireland who are living elsewhere will also be considered. In exceptional circumstances, artists who are not from Northern Ireland but who have made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Northern Ireland may be considered.
Who Cannot Apply?
Applicants who have had an artwork purchased or commissioned by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland within the previous 12 months.
Applicants who have broken the conditions of previous grant awards within the previous 4 years (taken from the date of the letter of offer).
How to apply?
The submission process will consist of an email submission where artists will be invited to submit an application form, an image or a digital video clip sample of the work to be considered, an Artist Statement and History of Artistic Practice. No original artworks should be submitted at the application stage.
All submissions are to be sent to collection@artscouncil-ni.org before the programme closing date. No applications will be accepted by post.
Applicants should identify in the email subject line that the application relates to the ACNI Collection Open Submission Scheme.
Only one artwork from each artist will be considered for acquisition for the Collection, and artists should only submit details of one artwork.