Louth County Council is inviting artists to apply for nine new public art commissions as part of the Louth Public Art Programme.
The programme will see the delivery of six sculptural works and three community based artist residencies across the county over the next two years. The sculptural commissions will be located within new council social housing developments at Bakery View, Boice Court and Greenhills Grange in Drogheda, An Mullach in Louth Village, Fullacht Fia in Dundalk and Ravel Drive in Dunleer.
Alongside the sculptural projects, three Community Engagement Artist Residencies will be appointed, with one residency in each municipal district. These residencies will focus on collaboration and creativity, with artists working closely with local communities to develop new work in any recognised art form. Artists are encouraged to apply as individuals or as part of a team, with proposals that demonstrate innovation, strong community engagement and artistic quality.
Commenting on the programme, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Seán Kelly, said public art has the power to transform spaces and connect people. He said the projects will create landmarks that inspire pride, spark conversation and bring communities together, adding that the programme will help make creativity visible and accessible to everyone in Louth.
The launch of the Public Art Programme coincides with the publication of Louth County Council’s new Public Art Policy. The policy sets out a framework for the delivery of public art initiatives in the coming years and includes the establishment of a dedicated working group within the council, along with an advisory committee made up of stakeholders and elected representatives.
Director of Services for Housing and Cultural Services, Ger Murphy, said the policy represents a major step forward for public art in Louth and reflects the council’s commitment to creating vibrant and inclusive communities. He said that by integrating art into public spaces and housing developments, the council is enriching the cultural life of communities while supporting its vision of Louth as a great place to live, work and play.
The programme is coordinated by the council’s Arts Office. Arts Officer Moya Hodgers said it is an exciting time for the arts in Louth, noting that the national Per Cent for Art scheme and the scale of housing development across the county present a unique opportunity to invest in public art. She said the Arts Office and Public Art Facilitator are looking forward to seeing the creative ideas submitted by artists.
Funding for the commissions is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Local Heritage under the Per Cent for Art initiative, which allocates one per cent of the cost of publicly funded capital projects to the commissioning of public art.
The closing date for Stage 1 submissions for the sculpture projects is 12 noon on Thursday, 5 February 2026.
The closing date for Artist in Residence submissions is 12 noon on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
Full details and application guidelines are available at www.createlouth.ie.
