We are inviting proposals from individual artists or artist groups for sound-based art projects in Ballyogan, connected to the new Ballyogan Library at the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus. There are two commission opportunities available with a budget of €11,000 each. The projects will create temporary sound artworks that explore the story of Ballyogan. As the fastest growing area in the County, with a young and culturally diverse population, this is an exciting opportunity to connect with the area and its communities.

The deadline for applications is Monday 13 October, 2025 at 2pm.

The Story We Tell Tomorrow is the new Public Arts Programme of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (dlr) under the Per Cent for Arts Scheme. We will have a series of public art projects between 2025 and 2027. Projects will explore the histories, uses and imagined futures of the County across a range of artforms.

Dlr’s Public Arts Programme supports the objectives of the County’s Arts Development Plan 2024-2030 to impact, animate and connect with local communities and to provide accessible art experiences within a ten-minute neighbourhood. A ten-minute neighbourhood means everything you need for daily life - like schools, shops, parks and jobs - is within a ten-minute walk, cycle or a quick trip on public transport. The idea is to make life easier, reduce car use, and create more connected communities.

We are looking for proposals from individual artists or artist groups to develop a sound-based project exploring the story of Ballyogan, its people, places and environment.

There are two project opportunities available, which should focus on one of the following target audience groups and themes:

Artists should be open to talking to people in these groups to help shape the sound artworks.

Artworks could be soundscapes, field recordings, podcast conversations, audio documentaries or other audio experiments which can be broadcast, streamed or exhibited for public enjoyment. There are no specific requirements for how long or what format the artwork should be.

You don’t need to be living in or be from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, but if you are selected, you will need to visit Ballyogan and the Library regularly during the project.

The timeline for these projects is January to March 2026.

We encourage applicants to consider the environmental impact of their practice as part of their proposals, in support of the Council’s Climate Action objectives. The Creative Climate Tools from Julie’s Bicycle may be a useful resource.

If you are selected, you will be supported by dlr Arts Office and dlr Libraries to connect with local people and groups. The Library’s facilities, including the music studio and creative/meeting room, will be available to the artist(s) at no cost. Bookable spaces (i.e. studio and meeting spaces) will need to be arranged in advance with the Library team and will be subject to availability. The music studio has a small amount of recording equipment. Some podcasting/recording equipment can be borrowed from the Arts Office.

Each project has a budget of €11,000 (inclusive of VAT, if you are VAT registered).

Your proposed budget should cover:

Ballyogan / Baile Uí Ógáin lies in the west of the County, bounded by Carrickmines, Stepaside, Sandyford and Leopardstown. It sits close to the M50 motorway which is the busiest motorway in Ireland. Its rich history as a frontier is marked by the remains of a defensive ditch along the west of Ballyogan Road. This was the former border of The Pale which distinguished the area of Ireland directly under the control of England in the Middle Ages. Ballyogan is the fastest-growing area in the county with a young and culturally diverse population.

Ballyogan Library is a new state-of-the-art Library providing a welcoming and accessible space for the entire community to enjoy. The Library opened in March 2025 and spans 1,300 metres across two floors. It is the first library in the County with a dedicated sensory space, dedicated teen area, music studio and creative room. The library is adjacent to the community centre, offering shared services, with convenient access to public transport including the Luas.. The Library is key to the County’s Library Development Plan 2022-2026 to create reading, learning, creative and cultural opportunities for all and connect with communities.

From 2016 to 2020, a local arts partnership programme led by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Creative Lives (formally Voluntary Arts Ireland) worked with people and organisations based in the Ballyogan area. Exit 15 responded to the artistic aspirations of local people and organisations living and working in Ballyogan, focusing on developing projects, resources or services that were ambitious and tested new ground. Learning from the programme continues to inform the way local arts and cultural offerings are supported locally and across the county.

We will host a site visit at Ballyogan Library on Tuesday 16 September at 12:30pm for artists interested in applying for this opportunity to learn more about the Library and the local area. Please email arts@dlrcoco.ie with the subject line 'Ballyogan Library commission' to reserve your place.

1. Artistic quality and creativity of your application (35/100)

2. How your application connects to the theme and context (30/100)

3. Your process and how feasible your idea is (35/100)

You must comply with Health and Safety standards and activities and artworks will be subject to Health and Safety checks.

The Freedom of Information Act 2014 applies to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. This Act gives people the right to request information held by public authorities and the right to have personal information held about them corrected or updated where the information is incomplete, incorrect, or misleading. If you feel that any of the information you submit as part of your application is confidential or sensitive, you should let DLR Arts Office know. You must clearly state why you think the information is confidential or commercially sensitive, and why it should not be released as part of a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Data protection laws mean that your personal data should generally only be stored where there is a lawful basis, such as your consent, or where there is a legal obligation. Any information you provide for this application will be held for one year from the date you submit it and will only remain in the ownership of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office. We will only use the information you give in your application to administer and managing the process for these projects, including the selection process (this may include several external panel members who will read your application). You may withdraw your consent to the retention of the information relating to your application at any point by sending an email to arts@dlrcoco.ie

We must make sure that any external person or company working with us on a project has insurance cover in place. If you are selected for a commission, you will need to have Public Liability Insurance in place up to a limit of €6.5 million. Public Liability Insurance covers your legal liability to pay damages to members of the public for injury, loss, or damages which occur because of your activities. The insurance policy must indemnify Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

If you employ another person to work with you, you will also need Employers Liability Insurance to a limit of €13 million (this will only be needed if the person working with you does not have an insurance policy of their own). These are standard insurance policies and several companies in Ireland provide them for artistic activities.

It is a legal requirement that all persons working with children, young people and vulnerable people are subject to Garda Vetting. In accordance with national child protection policy, Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, those working with children must have a child protection policy, proper procedures and a child safeguarding statement in place.