RFPs: Digital Artist in Residence at University of Limerick (Ireland)

Deadline: 11-Sep-2026

The Arts Council Digital Artist in Residence at the University of Limerick offers a six-month residency for mid-career and established digital artists living in Ireland. The selected artist will receive a €18,000 fee, access to University of Limerick facilities through the Digital Media and Arts Research Centre (DMARC), and opportunities to develop their creative practice while engaging with students, academics, and the wider Mid-West community. What Is the Digital Artist in Residence Programme? The Digital Artist in Residence programme at the University of Limerick is a collaboration between the Arts Council of Ireland and the university’s Digital Media and Arts Research Centre (DMARC). Now in its second year, the programme provides an environment where an established or mid-career digital artist can dedicate time to developing their artistic practice. The artist’s primary focus remains their own creative practice. Why Does the Residency Matter? Digital artists often require specialized technology, creative spaces, research environments, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration to develop new work. The residency provides these resources while connecting the artist with the academic and creative environment of the University of Limerick. The programme also strengthens links between digital arts, higher education, research, technology, and the wider community. For the selected artist, the residency can provide time and space to: What Is the Digital Media and Arts Research Centre? The Digital Media and Arts Research Centre (DMARC) at the University of Limerick provides a research and creative environment supporting digital media, arts, technology, and interdisciplinary practice. The residency connects the selected artist with this environment, allowing them to make use of relevant university resources and engage with people across the institution. Residency Duration The programme provides a six-month residency. During this period, the artist is expected to focus primarily on their own digital arts practice while contributing limited time to university and community engagement activities. The artist may dedicate up to four hours per week to activities such as: Workshops Mentoring Student engagement Public events Knowledge-sharing sessions Outreach activities These activities are intended to benefit students, staff, artists, and the wider community. The residency does not require the artist to provide core curriculum teaching or assessed academic instruction. How Much Does the Artist Receive? The selected Digital Artist in Residence will receive a total fee of: €18,000

The funding is provided through:

€13,000 from the Arts Council €5,000 from the University of Limerick The fee is paid directly to the selected artist in two instalments, subject to the programme’s payment conditions, including completion of the residency and submission of the required final report. Who Is Eligible? The programme is intended for mid-career and established digital artists.

Applicants must:

Be residents of the Republic of Ireland. Be a mid-career or established artist. Have a demonstrated track record in digital arts. Work in digital arts or a practice substantially connected to digital technologies, media, or creative digital practices. Be able to develop their proposed artistic practice during the six-month residency. Be able to participate in the required outreach and knowledge-sharing activities. Not have received public funding for the same activities proposed for the residency. The Arts Council encourages applications from artists who reflect the diversity of Irish society. What Is a Mid-Career or Established Digital Artist? The opportunity is not primarily aimed at artists who are just beginning their careers. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an established professional practice through evidence such as: Applicants should demonstrate how their particular practice fits within the residency’s digital arts focus. What Can the Artist Do During the Residency? The residency is intended primarily to support the artist’s own creative development.

Potential activities may include:

Developing a new digital artwork Experimenting with emerging technologies Conducting creative research Testing new artistic approaches Developing an existing body of work Exploring interdisciplinary collaborations Creating prototypes Developing digital installations Researching new forms of audience engagement The proposed activity should make meaningful use of the time, facilities, and creative environment available through the University of Limerick. Community and Student Engagement Although independent artistic practice is the main focus, the selected artist will also contribute to the university’s creative ecosystem. Up to four hours per week may be dedicated to: Student workshops Mentoring Artist talks Public events Demonstrations Creative discussions Knowledge-sharing sessions Outreach activities These activities should be designed to encourage meaningful interaction rather than function as formal university teaching. How the Digital Artist in Residence Programme Works The residency can be understood through five main stages.

Stage 1: Application

The artist submits an application demonstrating their professional digital arts practice and explaining what they want to develop during the residency.

Stage 2: Assessment

The application is assessed against the programme’s requirements and artistic suitability. The applicant’s track record and proposed creative development are important considerations.

Stage 3: Residency Planning

Following selection, the artist works with the University of Limerick and relevant programme representatives to establish the practical arrangements for the residency. This can include access to appropriate facilities and planning engagement activities.

Stage 4: Creative Development

The artist spends the majority of the six-month period developing their own digital arts p