Visual Artists Ireland Visual Artists Ireland (VAI) has been championing the interests of visual artists across Ireland since its founding in 1980; it has grown into the country’s national membership organisation dedicated to painters, sculptors, photographers, curators, educators, and all other visual art forms. Over four decades, VAI has shaped policy, campaigned for fair pay and working conditions, and built an enduring network that amplifies artists’ voices in both cultural and civic spheres.
At its core, VAI delivers a dynamic mix of advocacy, professional development, legal guidance, and community-building. Through artist talks, online forums, and the ever-popular Visual Artists Café, VAI cultivates collaboration, mentorship, and peer support—ensuring no artist ever needs to navigate their career in isolation.
The VAI Get Together takes place annually and is a networking day for visual artists and includes guest speakers, panel discussions, speed curating etc. Sligo Arts Service now offers micro bursaries to full-time, professional Sligo based visual artists to attend the event.
Applications will open in Summer.
What the bursary covers
- Ticket to VAI Get Together
- Up to 3 clinics
- Return train ticket Sligo-Dublin
- Artist Honorium €50
Sligo Arts Service supported 2 performance artists/practitioners (full-time/professional) to attend this annual gathering of industry professionals, artists and funders.
What the busary covered
- Ticket to Performing Arts Forum includes all day sessions, two lunches, dinner, coffee breaks and the artistic programme
- Artist Honorarium of €150
- Accommodation and Travel Contribution of €150
Run in collaboration with academic partners, this triennial conference provides opportunities for festival-makers and stakeholders to exchange ideas, share skills and map developments in this vibrant sector. In May 2026 the conference took place in Sligo, Sligo Arts Service together with The Arts Council and Cairde Sligo Arts Festival offered micro-bursaries to artists to attend the conference.
Sligo Arts Service offered one artist the opportunity to participate in this new four-day training workshop designed to develop skills in spectacle-making and street performance among artists based in rural counties. The programme took place across two weekends in March – April in Longford Town and was delivered by Spraoi Waterford, a nationally recognised spectacle production company.
What the bursary covered
- Four day spectacle-making training
- Training honourium €35 per day
- Accommodation & evening meals
Sligo Arts Service supported 4 practitioners from its Arts + Health Artist Panel to attend the annual Arts + Health gathering in April.
What the bursary covered
- Ticket to the Check Up Day
- Return train ticket Sligo to Carrick on Shannon