Support for the Individual Artist Programme

ACNI Collection Acquisitions

Guidelines

From 1945 to 1995, the Arts Council actively purchased contemporary art from (primarily) artists from Northern Ireland. In 1999 it undertook a fundamental review of its collecting policy and decided due to increasing costs, conservation and storage issues, to gift the majority of the collection (some 900 works) to registered museums in Northern Ireland. Although the Arts Council cannot continue to maintain a large public collection, it recognises the importance of purchasing contemporary work as a vital support mechanism for artists.

The Arts Council’s specific objectives with respect to acquisitions are to:

• assist 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

Eligibility

Visual artists who:

(a) have made a contribution to artistic activities in Northern Ireland for a minimum period of one year; and

(b) are domiciled in Northern Ireland. Broadly speaking, you are domiciled in the country where you have your permanent home. Domicile is distinct from nationality or residence. You can only have one domicile at any given time. For a fuller definition of Domicile, please consult the Inland Revenue website (www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk).

Note : Works by artists from Northern Ireland but not currently domiciled in Northern Ireland may be considered in exceptional cases. The Arts Council will also consider accepting gifts to the collection. Prior to accepting a gift, the work will be assessed against the same criteria as for purchase.

Artists who submitted work in 2004, whether successful or unsuccessful, are not eligible to submit again in this round.

Special priority will be given to artists whose work is challenging and innovative. Both established and emerging artists will be considered.

Works in all media will be considered including painting, sculpture, crafts, prints, photography and new forms of art, for example video.

Whilst the Arts Council of Northern Ireland will make every effort to protect work submitted, insurance is the responsibility of the artist.

Acquisitions Committee

This committee will be made up as follows: Two members of the board of the Arts Council; the Arts Development Director with responsibility for visual arts; the Visual Arts and Crafts Officer; and two external advisors drawn from the Arts Council’s central listing of advisors. The external advisors members of the board of the Arts Council will change every two years to ensure fresh input and views.

Criteria

Work will be assessed against the following criteria prior to purchase:
• Quality, innovation and challenging nature of the work
• Evidence of artistic achievement
• Contribution to visual arts in Northern Ireland
• Relevance of purchase to furtherance of career
• Furtherance of specific acquisition objectives as stated above

Gifting of works

The Arts Council through its acquisition policy is not intending to develop a comprehensive collection of art from Northern Ireland. It does not have the capacity or resources to maintain works on a long-term basis. Therefore, it intends to gift works after a 3-5 year period to relevant institutions in Northern Ireland, through an open application procedure. Artists will be informed of the outcome of the gifting of their work.

The Arts Council’s acquisitions will be fully documented on its website, the artwork will be displayed in its offices, and in the offices of DCAL, and a small touring show of new acquisitions organised on an annual basis. Other measures to promote and showcase acquisitions will be explored.

Guidance Notes ( Rich Text or PDF )
Application Form ( Rich Text or PDF )