RDS Visual Art Awards Our investment in Ireland's cultural future

Our support for early-career artists reflects our long-term commitment to the country’s wider development, and the communities shaping Ireland’s future.

The RDS Visual Art Awards is one of Ireland's leading platforms for visual art graduates. Our sponsorship of the RDS Mason Hayes & Curran LLP Centre Culturel Irlandais Residency Award offers an emerging artist the opportunity to undertake a residency at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris.

The award includes accommodation, studio space and a cash prize, providing opportunity for the winner to develop their practice and build connections within the international arts community.

Read about our approach to CSR

Celebrating the 2026 shortlisted artists

We would like to congratulate the twelve exceptional artists shortlisted for this year’s awards:

• Aoife Dunne, Limerick School of Art & Design
• Ava Bowden, IADT
• Beth Gaule, Crawford College of Art & Design
• Caoimhe Kelly, NCAD
• Hannah Forde, ATU Sligo
• Harrison Connally, Crawford College of Art & Design
• Jennifer O’Brien, NCAD
• Jools Reilly, TU Dublin
• Kodjo (Isac) Kossivi, Limerick School of Art & Design
• Nikol Ochichenko, IADT
• Róisin Ní Chonaill, TU Sherkin
• Sarah VanDermeer, Burren College of Art

Discover last year's winners

Their work will feature in Gallery at RDS, a new two-storey exhibition space on Simmonscourt Road, Dublin. The exhibition opens on 6 November and will run until 15 January 2027.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 19 November 2026.

Read more about our support of visual arts or find out more about the shortlisted artists.