A call has gone out for Galway participants for a programme specifically designed to support neurodivergent artists and those with intellectual disabilities who can otherwise face barriers in accessing traditional art education and resources.

Connections Arts Centre, a social enterprise supporting the disability community in Ireland, is hosting an open call for its Connecting Artists 2025 Programme, inviting applications from adult artists in Galway and across Ireland who identify as neurodivergent or are living with an intellectual disability.

This national programme is designed to support these artists, helping them advance their creative practice, exhibit, and sell their work.

The Connecting Artists Programme selects ten artists from across the island of Ireland each year to participate in a transformative ten-week online course.

The programme provides a nurturing, professional, and inclusive environment, culminating in a prestigious exhibition at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

Galway has seen past participants in the programme, including Amy Clarke from Mountbellew, and Richard Hickey from Galway city, who took part in the 2022 and 2024 programmes, respectively.

Participants will receive mentorship, attend online workshops, engage in demonstrations, and collaborate in peer discussions—all tailored to boost their artistic skills and professional confidence.

The programme is focused on artists working in 2D mediums such as painting, drawing, and collage.

Miriam Spollen, founder of Connections Arts Centre and creator of the programme, said that the mission is ‘to support adult artists who face challenges in accessing formal and informal art education’.

“Since its inception three years ago, the programme has supported 30 artists with paid opportunities, including workshops, talks, and sales of their artwork. Individual art sales have reached a value of €14,130 a testament to the programme’s impact and reach,” she said.

Interested artists are encouraged to visit www.connectionsartscentre.ie to review the application guidelines and eligibility criteria. The programme is open to artists from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The deadline is Friday, January 31, and the programme will start on a date to be confirmed in March.

Pictured: Richard Hickey from Galway City, who took part in this year’s Connecting Artists Programme, attending the exhibition at the RCSI.