Art commission announced for stretch of Kildare motorway
Could it be the next Naas Ball?
KILDARE County Council Arts Service has announced three public art commissions across County Kildare. While artists have been shortlisted for one commission, two are still open to new applicants.
The first of these projects, marking Naas’s achievement as overall winner of the Irish Business Against Litter; ‘Ireland’s Best Kept Town’ award for three consecutive years, is currently progressing in Naas town centre. This project, with a fund of €33,000 is now at Stage 2 of development, with a shortlist of artists developing proposals for a permanent, site-specific artwork in the town centre.
Applications are now open for two further commissions in Newbridge town centre and the M7 Naas-Sallins Bypass.
The Newbridge Town Centre Public Art Award invites proposals from professional artists to develop collaborative, community centred artwork, with a particular focus on George’s Street and Eyre Street. Supported through Local Property Tax funding, the €6,500 award aims to promote community engagement, celebrate local identity and enhance the visual character of the town centre. The closing date for applications is Thursday, 18 June at 12pm.
The M7 Per Cent for Art Commission is a large-scale public art opportunity linked to the M7 Naas–Sallins Bypass upgrade, with a budget of €80,000. This two-stage open competition seeks proposals for a landmark, permanent artwork at the new Junction 9a roundabout at Osberstown, responding to the area’s transport infrastructure, landscape and heritage. Stage 1 applications close on Thursday, 18 June at 12pm.
Speaking about the announcements, Éilis Lavelle, Arts Officer, Kildare County Council, said: “These public art projects reflect Kildare County Council’s ongoing investment in culture as a key part of sustainable development. By supporting artists and integrating creativity into our public spaces, we are enhancing the character of our towns, infrastructure and communities for the long term.” Public art plays a vital role in shaping how shared spaces are experienced. These commissions demonstrate Kildare County Council’s commitment to creating meaningful, high-quality artworks that respond to place, community and context across the county.
Full details of the live commissions and application guidelines are available on Kildare County Council Arts Service’s online application platform at: https://kildarecocoarts.submit.com/
