Opportunities for artists with Saolta Arts – HSE West & North West Hospitals

Saolta Arts invites professional practicing visual artists to apply for opportunities in the following hospitals of HSE West and North West in 2025 – 2026: University Hospital Galway, Merlin Park University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital Ballinasloe, Mayo University Hospital and Roscommon University Hospital.

Artists with a commitment to participatory/collaborative practice and public engagement will be considered. Only artists whose practice focuses on artistic outcomes that enhance health and wellbeing (arts and health), rather than therapeutic or clinical outcomes (art therapy), will be considered.

Participatory Visual Artist Panel 2025-2026
Artists selected for the Participatory Artist Panel will engage in workshop facilitation and public engagement opportunities at the hospitals.

Artists must demonstrate a commitment to using participatory/collaborative methodologies and be available to work in hospital sites in Galway City, Ballinasloe, Castlebar or Roscommon; as well as other community settings within the HSE West and North West.

Only visual artists will be considered at this time. The panel will be in place for opportunities that arise during the period 2025– 2026, including the Mending HeArts Project. Artists selected will complete Garda Clearance, Child Protection, and hand hygiene training. Inclusion on the panel does not guarantee work.

How to apply
Applications should include:

• A current CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Contact details for two current referees
• Documentation of practice: 6-10 fully captioned images and/or up to three examples of texts, audio or links to film documentation. Please include relevant examples of participatory/collaborative practice if available.
• A one-page proposal outlining:
  – how you might engage with patients and/or staff
  – why you are interested in working in the hospital context and other community settings.
  – which hospital/s you are interested in working at
  – your availability and any preferences during the period March 2025 – December 2026.

Submission Process 
Applications should be submitted to Margaret Flannery, Arts Director, Saolta Arts, University Hospital Galway, Newcastle, Galway, H91 YR71 or emailed to saoltaarts@hse.ie

E-mail applications should not exceed 15MB in size.

Deadline for applications 
Friday 21 February 2025 at 5:00pm.

Processing and assessment of applications
Artists will be selected through a process of open competition. The criteria for selection is:

• Quality of the artist’s participatory/collaborative practice.
• Level of relevant experience demonstrated through the CV and other supporting materials.
• The suitability and responsiveness of the artists’ practice for the hospital environment.
• The ambition, originality, and competency demonstrated by the artist.
• The proposed arts activity as outlined in the proposal.
• The availability of the artist.

Applications will be shortlisted then selected by a panel comprising representatives from Saolta Arts, an external professional artist / arts programme manager and staff from HSE West and North West.

Artists will be notified of shortlisting by Friday 7 March 2025.

For further information contact 091 544 979 or email saoltaarts@hse.ie

View the full Open Call here.