Kildare County Council Arts Service is delighted to announce the VECTOR Digital Artist Residency 2026.
The VECTOR Digital Arts residency seeks to foster innovation and collaboration in the digital arts sector. Applications are welcome from professional artists from any background, who are engaging critically in the crossover between art and technology and who wish to push the boundaries of their own practice. This residency aims to support and resource a creative from or based in County Kildare to develop their professional practice and/or a new artistic project in 2026, plus engagement in the Internationally based SPACE Programme 2026.
The VECTOR Digital Artist Residency will provide:
· A flexible start date in 2026
· A Digital Artist Residency Bursary Award of €5,000
· Access to desk space at MERITS Innovation Thinkspace, Naas. (Access from 7am to 6.45pm, Monday to Friday) (value €1800+)
· Practical support for development, experimentation and reflection in the form of
· space and equipment*: 20+ hours content LAB use at MERITS (value €500+)
· Bespoke mentoring for developing work in digital space, with Jo Mangan, Artistic Director of The Performance Corporation (3 mentoring sessions)
· A place on the SPACE Programme in Paris in summer 2026 (value €5000 + BIK from Performance Corporation)
· Mentoring and support from Kildare Arts Service
· Access to MERITS Creative Cluster masterclasses and clinics including mentoring in areas of Ux/UI, marketing, digital marketing, branding, business planning, etc
· Space to exhibit artwork at MERITS throughout residency.
* MERITS (Mid-Eastern Regional Innovation Think Space) is a purpose-built co-working and incubation space located in Devoy Park, Naas. It’s designed to support tech entrepreneurs, startups, and scale-ups in the Mid-East Region. MERITS offers a mix of dedicated offices, co-working spaces, and hot desks, all equipped with electric sit-stand desks, lockable storage, and high-speed broadband. The modern environment is designed to foster collaboration and productivity. Equipment and facilities available to artist in residence include:
· Green screen studio
· HP Reverb headset x 1
· Metaquest 2s headsets x 2
· Hololens VR headset x 1
· VIVE headsets x 2
· VIVE Pro 2 headset x 1
· VIVE focus 3 headset x 1
· Studio light x 4
· Soft box light x 1
· 75 inch touch screen x 1
· iMac – (comes with basic video editing software, garage band etc)
· Rodecaster podcast unit + 4 x mics and headphones
· Canon E0S camera (blogging camera)
· Blackmagic mini + 4 x cameras
· Lapel & handheld mic
· Large speakers
· Privacy booths for calls and video chats
· Shared printing facilities
· Free tea/coffee and kitchen access
Access to 3D printing facilities at nearby Naas Library & Cultural Centre can also be arranged via Kildare Arts Service.
This Digital Arts residency aligns with the strategic priorities of
Kildare County Council’s Arts Strategy 2023 – 2027 towards support for artists, a reimagined space for art, and sustaining arts through strategic partnerships. Through the residency Kildare County Council Arts Service and MERITS aim to:
· Support a professional artist working in digital arts in the development of their practice.
· Support critical discourse and innovation in digital arts practice
· Build capacity and strengthen the ecosystem for artists and creative tech in County Kildare
· Create opportunities for knowledge sharing through the presentation of work or work-in-progress.
Application Requirements:
- CV (max 2 pages), highlighting recent relevant experience as a professional artist working in this area
- Examples of previous work
- Motivation for undertaking residency
- Concept/topic/theme/question you would like to explore or develop during this residency including what equipment or supports you would most like to avail of
- Desired outcome(s) of the residency
Application Deadline:
Applications will only be accepted via the online application form.
Applications must be submitted before the deadline at 12pm (midday), Thursday 8th of January 2026.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
We suggest that applicants try to submit their application form early in case of technical difficulties. Should they arise, please email arts@kildarecoco.ie and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Applications are welcome from:
- Professional artists practicing in any artform, whose current work engages art and technology.
- Artists / creatives who have technical proficiency and experience in AI, VR, AR, or other digital technologies.
- Artists currently based in or originally from County Kildare.
Steps to complete and submit your application form:
- Read the call out and eligibility notes
- Click Apply and Register
- Create a new Profile or review your existing details. Please include a valid email address with your application – this will be used for all future correspondence relating to your application.
- Check your email to confirm your registration
- Complete the online application form. This form can be saved in draft for you to review and edit at a later time.
- Upload Supporting Material
- Send application form
- Verify email address (check your email for a copy)
- Submit application
Assessment and Decision:
- Applications will be assessed by an assessment panel including representatives from Kildare Arts Service and MERITS, The Performance Corporation.
- Applications are assessed taking the published assessment criteria into consideration. Assessment Criteria: Relevant professional experience as presented on CV, and quality of supporting material; How the proposal meets the objective of the award; Feasibility of the proposal.
- Applications are assessed in a competitive context and with consideration of the application form and the supporting materials submitted.
- All applicants will be advised of the panel's decision by email.
- The Arts Service is not in a position to provide feedback on individual applications.
- Grant aid provided by Kildare County Council must be acknowledged in all publicity material associated with the project. Kildare County Council reserves the right to publicise the awarding of residencies.
- Kildare County Council Arts Service reserves the right not to award bursaries/grants at its discretion.
For More Information, Contact:
Kildare County Council Arts Service
Library HQ, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare
T: 045 980872 / E: arts@kildarecoco.ie
T: 0871898855 / E: PBarrett@kildarecoco.ie
Background Image by Liing Heaney VECTOR Digital Artist in Residence 2025