Living Landscapes / Tírdhreacha Beo
Sligo’s Public Art Commissions Plan 2022 – 2028

Living Landscapes / Tírdhreacha Beo 2022 – 2028 is Sligo’s current Public Art Commissions Plan. It is intended to be a local, regional, national, and international public art programme open to artists from all contemporary art practices. Download Living Landscapes / Tírdhreacha Beo here

Strands

Living Landscapes / Tírdhreacha Beo is offered in 4 Strands:

  1. Public Art Commissions
  2. Co-Productions & Partnerships
  3. Commissions by Invitation
  4. Public Spaces, Places & Buildings Fund

Selection Process

Commissions will be awarded through a series of open and limited call competitions; all shortlisted artists will be remunerated a proposal fee. The Artist selection process will include a panel comprised of independent artists, curators, public representatives from the Sligo Public Participation Network (PPN), Sligo County Council members and staff.

The type of commission will determine the selectors on the assessment panel based on: experience, professional practice, creative discipline and artistic expertise.

At its heart, the plan aims to:

  • Create meaningful connections between artists, communities, and public spaces in Sligo
  • Support inclusive, innovative, and environmentally sensitive projects
  • Strengthen Sligo’s cultural identity locally, nationally, and internationally

All commissions will follow a transparent selection process, with independent artists, curators, community representatives, and Council staff involved in decision-making.

The Public Art Steering Group oversees the development of Sligo County Council’s public art policy and nominates and approves the members of the independent selection panel for artists. The steering group is comprised of artists, community representatives, public representatives and local authority officials.

The Assistant Arts Officer oversees all aspects of the Public Art programme, which is managed by the Public Art Manager(s).

Selection of Artists
In keeping with the National Guidelines on Public Art, Sligo County Council uses a range of selection processes (often referred to as procurement) including open competition, selective tendering and direct invitation, depending on the context.

The principal selection method is open competition through nationally advertised calls to artists. Calls are promoted through the Sligo Arts Service website and e-bulletin, the Visual Artists Ireland e-bulletin and newsletter, and other art sector publications and platforms including www.publicart.ie.

Community and Voluntary Commissions
Across County Sligo there are many examples of community and voluntary groups commissioning public artworks through fundraising, often for commemorative purposes.

The Assistant Arts Officer is available to offer advice and guidance to community and voluntary groups interested in commissioning public art.

This programme is supported through the Per Cent for Art Scheme and draws on capital projects delivered by the Housing, Planning and Roads Sections of Sligo County Council, with funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and the Department of Transport

keyboard_arrow_up