Kildare County Council Arts Service with MERITS is delighted to announce the VECTOR Digital Arts Residency 2026
Kildare County Council Arts Service, in partnership with MERITS Innovation Thinkspace, is thrilled to announce the launch of the VECTOR Digital Arts Residency 2026 – an extraordinary opportunity for a digital artist to innovate, experiment, and push the boundaries of art and technology.
In addition to local resources and mentoring, this residency includes an exclusive place on The Performance Corporation’s internationally renowned SPACE Programme during Summer/Autumn 2026 – an exciting chance to connect with global peers and expand your creative network.
Following the success of its pilot programme, VECTOR returns to support a professional artist from or based in County Kildare who is critically engaging with the crossover between art and technology. This residency is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and capacity-building in the digital arts sector, offering resources and mentorship to develop new work or advance professional practice.
What’s on offer?
- €5,000 Digital Artist Residency Bursary
- Desk space at MERITS Innovation Thinkspace, Naas (value €1,800+)
- 20+ hours in MERITS Content LAB for experimentation (value €500+)
- Bespoke mentoring with Jo Mangan, Artistic Director of The Performance Corporation
- A place on The Performance Corporation’s International SPACE Programme (Summer/Autumn 2026) (value €5,000+)
- Mentoring from Kildare Arts Service
- Access to MERITS Creative Cluster masterclasses and clinics in UX/UI, marketing, branding, and more
- Exhibition space at MERITS during the residency
This residency aligns with Kildare County Council’s Arts Strategy 2023–2027 and The Arts Council’s Digital Arts Policy 2023–2025, supporting innovation, critical discourse, and strengthening the creative tech ecosystem in County Kildare.
Who can apply?
Professional artists working in any artform whose practice engages with digital technologies such as AI, VR, AR, or other emerging tools. Applicants must be based in or originally from County Kildare.
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted online by 12pm (midday), Thursday 8 January 2026.
- For further information, contact: Kildare Arts Service | T: 045 980872 | E: arts@kildarecoco.ie
Join us in shaping the future of digital arts.
The VECTOR Digital Arts Residency is supported by MERITS and funded by Kildare Arts Service with grant aid from The Arts Council of Ireland.
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