Acquisitions and Commissions

Artform News

5th March 2008
Featured Artist - Kerrie Ahern

11th February 2008
Arts Council exhibits Recent Acquisitions at the Ballymoney Town Hall
Exhibition runs to 23rd February


10th December 2007
Arts Sector rally to Save the Arts

Artform Definition

Under our Acquisitions Policy our aims are:

• To support the individual artist.
• To contribute to the development of visual arts practice in Northern Ireland.
• To develop a culture in which visual art is appreciated.
• To foster knowledge and research.
• To ensure that contemporary arts are showcased.
• To stimulate the art market in Northern Ireland.

Priority is given to artists whose work is both challenging and innovative. We look for the work of emerging as well as established artists.

Works in all media are considered, including painting, sculpture, crafts, print, photography and newer art forms such as digital and video work.

Works are considered against the criteria of:

• quality, innovation and the challenging nature of the piece,
• evidence of the artist’s achievements,
• the artist’s contribution to the arts in Northern Ireland,
• the relevance of the purchase to the furtherance of the artist’s career
• the relevance of the purchase to the Arts Council’s funding objectives.

The Council will consider accepting gifts to the collection although such work is assessed against the same criteria as works considered for purchase.

The Acquisitions panel has an annual budget of £50,000 to spend on new works, their documentation and transportation.

Publications and Information

Artform Policy Document (PDF)

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Collection online

Guide to MacNeice House (Published 2003)

Current initiatives

• We are actively seeking works for purchase from artists based in Northern Ireland or who are from Northern Ireland and qualify for consideration under the terms of the Acquisitions policy. New works are brought to the attention of the Acquisitions panel in a number of ways including visits to galleries and to artists in their studios.

• The Arts Council invites applications to its Open Submission Scheme under the Support for the Individual Artist Programme. Artists may submit one work for consideration for purchase for the Collection.

• A programme of touring exhibitions for the local, national and international market was launched in early 2006. This will run throughout Northern Ireland and further afield over the course of the coming years. For more information click here
  
  
  

Contact Us

Further information on any of the Council’s funding programmes and Acquisitions may be obtained from:

Suzanne Lyle
Arts Development Officer (Visual Art and Collections)
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
MacNeice House
77 Malone Road
Belfast. BT9 6AQ
Tel: 028 9038 5249
Email: slyle@artscouncil-ni.org

Relevant Links

National Museums Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Museums Council

Visual Artists Ireland

The Artists Information Company

BBC 'The Power of Art'

Arts Council useful links (Visual Arts)