Open Call for Exhibition Proposals at Tallaght University Hospital

The Arts and Health Department at Tallaght University Hospital is seeking artists to exhibit their work in their welcoming and dynamic hospital environment. Visual art has a powerful role to play in healing and wellbeing, creating a more positive experience for patients, staff and visitors. Submissions are sought from both national and local artists/collectives and are open to a variety of creative mediums.

About Arts and Health at TUH
The TUH Arts and Health programme was established in 2003 and has gone from strength to strength. The Arts and Health Team strive to integrate the arts into all aspects of hospital life, with receptive events through exhibitions and live music performances, and participative activities which include the long-established Art at the Bedside and Soothing Sounds programmes, as well as presentations, workshops and training opportunities.

Exhibitor Guidelines
This open call invites artists/collectives to submit proposals for work to be displayed along Hospital Street, the longest and busiest route through the hospital. A non-traditional gallery space, the exhibition will be hung on a series of 16 mounted art boards along Hospital Street.

Board’s measurements are 170cm wide x 90cm high. Framed artwork sizes: Max height: 85cm / Max width: 150cm. Depth of frames should be no bigger than 10cms.

All artworks must be framed, with either glass or acrylic. Please note framed artworks will need to have approved secure fixings attached for the exhibition. Fixings will be removed at the end of the exhibition run.

The Arts and Health Team are looking for artworks that are:

• Inspiring and uplifting: Pieces that evoke positive emotions, offer a sense of hope and encourage reflection and conversation.
• Engaging and accessible: Artworks which can connect with our diverse audiences of patients, staff and visitors.
• Exploring themes connected with the field of Arts & Health.
• Awareness of suitability: Consideration should be given to the sensitive nature of a hospital environment. Please avoid submitting imagery promoting political or religious views, nudity, company branding, and imagery that is visually offensive or could be distressing to patients.

Artist Fee
A maximum fee of €400 is paid to the exhibiting artist or collective for the loan of artworks during the exhibition term.

Benefits of Exhibiting in TUH

• Assistance is provided with curation and installation of the exhibition.
• Artists may partake in the installation process at the discretion of the TUH Arts & Health Manager.
• No commission is taken for artworks that may sell, all enquiries will be directed to the artist / collective.
• Artworks are covered by insurance while on display within the hospital.
• The exhibition will be promoted and advertised both internally and externally.
• The exhibition will be on public show for a minimum of three to four months depending on availability of exhibition space.

Deadline for Submissions 
Sunday, 30 March at 5pm

Submission Guidelines
Please submit the following materials electronically to artsandhealth@tuh.ie by 5pm on Sunday, 30 March:

• Artist Statement: A brief statement (max. 250 words) about your artistic practice, the work you are submitting, and how it aligns with the goals of this open call.
• Artwork Images: A minimum of five-six high-resolution images of the artworks or body of work you propose for exhibition. Image files sizes should be between 2-5MB per image. Please include the title, medium, dimensions, and year of creation for each piece. (Preferably share your images via a WeTransfer link). Please do not send in printed copies of your artworks as we are unable to return them.
• CV/Resume: A current one-page CV or resume outlining your artistic experience.
• Optional: You may include a link to your website or online portfolio.

An email acknowledgement will be sent out to all who make an appropriate submission by the closing date.

Selection Process
A selected committee of representatives will review all submissions. Artists will be selected based on the quality, originality, and suitability of their artwork for the hospital environment.

For any questions regarding this call out, please email either sharon.murphy@tuh.ie or Alison.Baker@tuh.ie