NCAD Alumni success stories: George Moore Scholars share their experiences abroad
Emily Miller and Catherine Ward: How George Moore Scholars transformed our artistic journeys abroad
The George Moore Scholars programme offers a unique opportunity to pursue postgraduate study abroad in any discipline. This prestigious programme of The Ireland Funds supports academically talented students from across the island of Ireland to pursue a Master's degree in the US, Canada, the UK, or Europe.
Hear what past NCAD recipients have to say:
Emily Miller - MFA in Painting and Drawing, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
"The George Moore scholarship made my dream of pursuing an MFA in Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago not only a reality but a wonderful learning experience.
Some recent highlights of my time here at SAIC include being selected to exhibit my graduate work in Master Class at the Secrist Beach Gallery in Chicago (running from April 19 – August 2), exhibiting at EXPO Chicago (the city's premier international art fair which draws tens of thousands of visitors each year), and participating in a three-person show at SAIC's Incubator Gallery.
My time in the Painting Materials Lab was a particularly exciting way of aligning my materials with my commitment to sustainability. The lab is a facility that is unique to the School of the Art Institute, and I've heard of nothing of its calibre in Ireland or the UK. The time I spent there allowed me to fully develop my material processes and plan towards my graduate exhibition, A Sunlit Absence, which featured 24 hand-carved ostrich eggshells, painted using ostrich egg tempera, all sourced from Salgers Ostrich Farm in Southern Illinois.
I had the opportunity to learn from Art World legends such as Michelle Grabner, Lisa Wainwright, Arnold Kemp, Gaylen Gerber, and Anne Wilson. Additionally, I took an Art Administration class that has helped prepare me for a potential career in advising museum directors and collectors for collecting and deaccessioning work, establishing an art gallery, starting a business and being a professional in such a competitive field.
In addition, the School provided me a multitude of professional roles and it was the support of the George Moore Scholarship that allowed me to fully exploit these opportunities including: curating numerous group exhibitions, being a Teaching Assistant for renowned artists and educators, representing my cohort as the Class Representative Student Senator and Visiting Artist Coordinator and developing a more in-depth understanding of Art History through completing four Art History Courses and Auditing an additional five. I was awarded the J&R Field scholarship to travel to the Venice Biennale in June of 2024 to complete an Art History research project, and I was also awarded the Graduate Student Leadership Award in recognition of my contributions to the SAIC community.
This has been a formative two years, and I am extremely grateful for every aspect of the experience. I encourage all potential applicants to check the George Moore Scholarship website for more details in September to ensure they are up-to-date on the 2025-2026 application process.¨
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Catherine Ward - MA in Painting, Royal College of Art, London
"It was always my dream to study at the Royal College of Art and pursue a postgraduate degree in Fine Art. The George Moore Scholarship allowed me to pursue this lifelong ambition, providing invaluable support in enabling me to focus on my studies.
My practice has grown this year from strength to strength since joining the programme. I have been developing my work at the RCA, testing new ideas and experiments. As part of the course, we attended lectures, workshops and one-to-one tutorials. This experience has enriched my work and provided professional opportunities to further my career.
It is a life-changing opportunity, and I highly recommend people to apply."
Catherine Ward (b. 2000) is an Irish artist from Dublin working with painting, photography and drawing. She is currently based in London and is studying for an MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art.
Recent solo exhibitions include What Remains, Farmleigh House & Estate, Dublin (2025). Selected group exhibitions include Connections, Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin; Luan Gallery, Athlone; Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick; Braid Mid-Antrim Centre, Ballymena (2025), the ladder is always there with Shell/ter collective, Draiocht Gallery, Dublin (2024) and Collective Residue, Pallas Projects/Studios, Dublin (2023). She has received awards such as the George Moore Scholarship (2024), Arts Council of Ireland Agility Award (2023), the Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust Award (2023) and her work is held in the OPW Irish State Art Collection.
Applications for the 2025-2026 George Moore Scholars programme will open in October. Check the website for the latest application details and deadlines.
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Emily Miller on Instagram: @emjmarts
Catherine Ward on Instagram: @catherinewardart. Website: www.catherineward.ie
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