Open Call to Artists | The Sir William Orpen Prize

The theme for 2024 is “This is Imagination!”. This is wonder, creativity and boundless possibility. We are inviting you to let your imagination take the lead to create amazing works of art!

‘This is Art!’ 2024 is open for entries from young people aged 18 and under

Artists: Maser, Leah Hewson & Aideen Barry join IMMA’s Sheena Barrett & Glucksman’s Tadhg Crowley to choose this year’s most imaginative entries

This year some of Ireland’s most exciting galleries, artists and creatives jumped at the chance to celebrate the incredible talent of young people across the island of Ireland.

Judges include some of Ireland’s leading artists: graffiti and street artist Maser, contemporary abstract artist Leah Hewson and groundbreaking visual artist Aideen Barry.

These exciting names in Irish art will team up with stalwarts in the art community; Tagdh Crowley, Senior Curator in The Glucksman Cork and Sheena Barrett, Head of Research and Learning, at IMMA – the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The five judges will be immersed in the creativity of young people from all over Ireland and have the opportunity to award some of the most imaginative artworks. Last year over 3,000 entries were made.

This is Art! is much more than an art competition, it’s a celebration of the artistic expression of young people. Its purpose is to actively foster creativity in the next generation and to showcase their work in an online gallery. The theme for this year’s competition is; This is Imagination! It offers a blank canvas for budding creatives and young artists of all abilities to create whatever they can imagine. This year’s theme encourages entrants to have fun exploring the limitless realms of their creativity, allowing their imagination to take the lead. Young creators will be empowered to express themselves through whatever medium of art they prefer.

TAKING PART

RTÉ’s ‘This is Art!’ competition supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island Initiative, opens today.

Young people aged 18 and under are eligible to enter and let their imaginations go wild exploring a world of creativity.

This all-island competition is open across five categories and to all abilities (Age 7 and under, Age 8 to 11, Age 12 to 15, Age 16 to 18 and the Group category).

A PRIZE FUND

A prize fund of €10,000 will provide awards and bursaries for winners across the five categories.

For 2024, Maser has been commissioned to design and create this year’s category winner trophies, making a bespoke piece of art for winners to treasure forever.

The bursaries will empower young artists to develop their talent with additional education and training.

Beyond the prizes, more than one hundred shortlisted entries will receive personal commendations and feedback from the judges on their work.

TYPE OF WORK TO BE SUBMITTED

‘This is Art!’ accepts submissions in any and all forms, from paintings, drawings and sculptures to photography, digital art or even creating something using found or upcycled materials. Entries must be photographed and submitted digitally.

Create, snap and upload on rte.ie/thisisart by midnight Sunday, November 3rd.

Entries are free and further information on how to enter is available on rte.ie/thisisart.