Visual Art (Sherkin Island)Amharcealaín (Inis Arcáin)

This four-year modular honours degree course fully accredited, managed and delivered by TU Dublin, offers a dynamic and creative education in the Visual Arts. The course will have a particular focus on the investigation of the meaning of place, how it can be generated and regenerated through art-making and the exchange between the artmaker and her/his place and its people.

On completing the course graduates will be able to demonstrate an advanced comprehension of the nature, role and potential of Art in the context of their community and in a wider international context, a critical comprehension of historical and contemporary developments in Art; and a thorough mastery of the materials, techniques and skills appropriate to their own artistic interests. Additionally they will develop professional artistic skills necessary for the visual expression of significant ideas and concepts and an ability to present their work in a professional manner.

Learning Outcomes: What will I Study?

The first two years are highly structured and are designed to give the participants basic technical skills in drawing, sculpture, painting, photography and digital media (both word-processing and image manipulation), and a good understanding of the critical concerns and context of modern and contemporary art practice.

The final two years are increasingly self-directed allowing participants to develop their particular focus in terms of medium and content. This builds upon research methods and skills developed in stages one and two, which allows participants to develop a similar self-directed approach in Critical Theory.

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio from 20th March 2026 until 15th May 2026.

The portfolio should include, notebooks or sketch books with example of drawing research as well as larger drawings and mixed media work that demonstrates artistic work, experiments and materials. We are looking for students who are motivated and curious about art and environment with a commitment to build an artistic work experiments and materials. We are looking for students who are motivated and curious about art and environment with a commitment to build an artistic practice through skills development and conceptualisation.

Applicants can submit their portfolio online or in person. We suggest using portfolio online platforms such as Padlet where possible, otherwise a pdf with selected images is also acceptable. We will also hold a portfolio day in Uilinn Arts Centre, Skibbereen if you prefer to drop a physical portfolio of works, in mid-March where applicants can submit their portfolio in person.

Following an assessment of portfolio’s, suitable applicants will be invited for interview. These interviews will be held online with faculty.

You will be informed of your place on the course if successful by May 2026. Semester 1 starts at the end September 2026 on Sherkin island. 

For further information or if you have any questions contact course coordinator Jesse.Jones@tudublin.ie.

Graduates establish themselves as professional artists and can also find employment in the cultural and community sectors as gallery and studio assistants, arts officers in County Council Offices as curators and as arts administrators. There are also opportunities for employment in the teaching profession and to pursue graduate studies up to PhD level.

Please note, there is no advanced entry to this course.

Graduates who achieve the appropriate honours standard have access to a range of taught Masters, MPhil and PhD degrees by research in TU Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland and abroad.