Sustaining Futures Artist’s Commission
The Irish Photo Network 2025
€5,000 Commission Opportunity
The Irish Photo Network Sustaining Futures Artist’s Commission offers a €5,000 award to support the development of a new publication from a project already in progress. Open to artists working across the island of Ireland, the commission foregrounds the urgent themes of sustainability, climate action, and diversity.
This opportunity is designed to strengthen photography practice on an all-island basis, supporting ambitious work that responds to today’s most pressing issues.
Artist's Commission Includes
€5,000 artist fee to support award to support the development of a new publication from a project already in progress
Artist Development Residency at Photo Museum Ireland, including:
- Curatorial mentoring from across the Network’s partners
- Free access to artists’ digital facilities, including new professional scanning equipment
Accessibility support, with a dedicated budget for artists from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds
Who We’re Looking For
We particularly encourage applications from:
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Artists from underrepresented groups or regions
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Projects that involve collaboration or cross-border dialogue
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Work that builds connections between communities and organisations across Ireland
How to Apply
Applications can be made by completing the online application form below
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Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 14 September 2025
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Eligibility: Open to artists resident on the island of Ireland, working in photography or lens-based media only
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Late applications will not be considered
Why This Work Matters
Photography has the power to document change, amplify underrepresented voices, and reimagine how communities connect across borders. At a time when climate crisis and social inequalities are reshaping our world, this commission invests in artists whose practices take on these urgent challenges with thought, innovation, and impact.
Through this commission, the Irish Photo Network affirms its commitment to:
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Nurturing artistic voices that challenge perspectives and spark dialogue
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Supporting work that strengthens cross-border and community connections
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Building a more sustainable and inclusive future for photography across Ireland
The Irish Photo Network is a collaborative cross-border initiative of Photo Museum Ireland, Belfast Exposed, Belfast Photo Festival, and Source Magazine.
Photo Museum Ireland
Photo Museum Ireland is the national centre for contemporary photography. With over 40 years of showcasing the best of Irish and international photography, it has over 20 years experience of working on North/South, cross-border, and cross-community projects. It is committed to engaging wide-ranging audiences through the curation and commissioning of artist-in-the-community projects and programmes which combine artists’ work with vernacular photography. Recent projects include a 5-year Reframing the Border programme, and Shared Histories Creative Ireland cross-border project.
Belfast Photo Festival
Belfast Photo Festival presents the UK and Ireland’s largest annual festival of photography and the Visual Arts Festival of Northern Ireland. Launched in 2011, this now annual photographic event has been described as one of the “best photography festivals in the world” (Capture Magazine) and attracts upwards of 100 thousand visitors a year, celebrating some of the finest National and International contemporary photography across 30 museums, galleries and public spaces. The programme consistently addresses the political, social and cultural climate of Belfast, raising global issues and animating them through high-calibre international photography. The 2024 Festival consists of exhibitions, talks, symposiums, workshops, screenings, masterclasses, and portfolio reviews to address the issue of AI.www.belfastphotofestival.com
Source Magazine
Source Magazine is a quarterly photography magazine, available in print and as a digital edition, published in Belfast since 1992. It has been funded by the Arts Council of Ireland since 1998 and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland since 1992 and has a solid track record for the production of a quarterly publication and the management of its Euro189k budget. Its editors Richard West and John Duncan have 52 years experience producing and strategically developing Source across its outputs. Source has a track record of contributing to photographers’ professional development through the critical thinking and analysis that is at the core of the writing that Source commissions and publishes. It offers feedback and advice to photographers through its portfolio review days.www.source.ie
Belfast Exposed
Belfast Exposed is Northern Ireland’s leading photography organisation. For over 40 years it has challenged, shaped and brought meaning to culture and society. Their innovation has led to numerous awards. Disruptively pushing back frontiers, they are growing and supporting new talent through facilitating learning and showcasing exhibitions, whilst helping to champion their community. Through identifying meaningful and lasting partnership opportunities they create genuine, enduring value for artist progression, mental health, businesses and the legacy of our people. Recent projects include the Healing through Photography conference and Chad Alexander’s Entries exhibition. www.belfastexposed.org
The Irish Photo Network is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications & Sport.
Irish Photo Network 2025
