Open call – LGBTQ+ Visual Arts Residency 2026 (Ballina)
The NCF cultural co-operative, in partnership with Ballina Fringe Festival, invites applications from visual artists based in Ireland or Europe for an artist residency in Ballina, County Mayo. This residency is funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and supports an LGBTQ+–related visual arts residency.
The residency offers an opportunity for a visual artist to spend time in Ballina developing new work or research that engages with LGBTQ+ themes, lived experience, histories, or futures. Artists are encouraged to approach this openly and critically, and proposals may be personal, political, social, or experimental in nature.
The residency is process-focused and supports research, experimentation, and creative development rather than the production of a finished artwork. Artists may work in any visual arts medium, including painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, photography, moving image, digital or socially engaged visual arts practices.
The residency will take place in Ballina, County Mayo, with the selected artist hosted by the NCF and Ballina Fringe Festival. The artist will be encouraged to engage with the local community and, where appropriate, with LGBTQ+ communities or audiences connected to the festival.
Applications are open to individual visual artists based in Ireland, UK and EU/EEA at any career stage.
Residency details
- Period: 2 weeks, Saturday 26th September – Friday 9th October 2026
- Artist fee: €500
- Accommodation: Provided in Ballina
- Support: Curatorial and logistical support, access to local networks
- Public-facing activity: The artist will be invited to take part in an informal activity (e.g. open studio, talk, or exhibition), to be agreed in advance
This residency is designed to create lasting connections between the visiting artist and the Ballina community, with the possibility for future collaborations.
Accessibility note: The residency is currently not fully accessible (studios are in an upstairs location). We are committed to improving accessibility for future residencies.
How to apply
Submit a single PDF containing:
- A short artist statement and bio (1 page max)
- A proposal outlining your residency idea, including an aspect of possible community engagement (max 1000 words)
- Up to 5 samples of previous work (images, links, or audio/video files)
- A CV (2 pages max)
Application deadline: Tuesday 31st March 2026
To apply or for further information:
Email residency@thencf.art with subject line:
TheNCF Cultural Co-op & Ballina Fringe Festival Residency
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to receiving your application.