NCAD and UCD Announce New Collaboration: The UCD Art Collection Award
The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and University College Dublin (UCD) are delighted to announce a new partnership in the form of the UCD Art Collection Award.
This award provides an exciting opportunity for NCAD’s final-year students to have their work acquired as part of the prestigious UCD Art Collection.
Open to all final-year graduating NCAD students—including those completing undergraduate, postgraduate, and higher diploma programs—the award reflects UCD’s commitment to supporting emerging artistic talent while expanding its diverse and dynamic art collection.
The UCD Art Collection serves as a vital cultural and educational resource, embedding art into shared spaces to inspire creativity, encourage critical thinking, and spark meaningful dialogue. This new award reinforces UCD’s dedication to fostering engagement with contemporary art while providing NCAD students with a valuable platform to showcase their work within an esteemed institutional collection.
To be considered, student projects must align with the UCD Art Collection’s mission of curiosity, dialogue, and engagement. Selected works will become part of UCD’s permanent collection, enriching the university environment and offering students a significant professional milestone early in their careers.
Speaking about the new initiative, Professor Colin Scott, Registrar, Deputy President and Vice President for Academic Affairs at UCD, said:
"We are thrilled to collaborate with NCAD on this award. Supporting emerging artists and integrating contemporary works into UCD’s spaces ensures that art remains an active and engaging part of university life. We look forward to seeing the inspiring works that will come from this partnership."
Similarly, Professor Sarah Glennie, Director at NCAD, stated:
"This award is an incredible opportunity for our students, not only providing financial support but also giving their work a lasting presence in one of Ireland’s leading academic institutions. We are excited to see the creative outcomes of this collaboration."
Applications for the UCD Art Collection Award will be open to eligible NCAD students, with selection taking place following the end-of-year exhibitions. Further details will be shared with students in the coming weeks.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Fernando Sánchez-Migallón Cano (he/him)
UCD Art Collection Curator
Belfield | Dublin 4 | Ireland
E: fernando.sanchez@ucd.ie
Image: NCAD WORKS opening in June 2024. Photograph by Simon Peare.
