Open call for Mayo artists to join Bolay programme at Linenhall arts centre
The Bolay Programme offers artists the opportunity to connect with leading curators
Mayo artists are invited to apply for the Bolay programme, a development initiative aimed at supporting visual artists by the Linenhall in Castlebar.
The programme is designed to help artists through mentoring, networking and exhibitions opportunities.
The programme begins with the Bolay Visual Artists Café, taking place at the Linenhall on Tuesday, 29 September. The Café is a day-long event where 24 selected visual artists will have the opportunity to meet professional curators in one-on-one meetings.
Mayo-based artists will then be invited to apply for an intensive five-month mentorship running from October 2026 to February 2027 with renowned art critic and curator Marianne O’Kane Boal.
Five artists will be selected to participate in the mentorship, culminating in a significant group exhibition at the Linenhall Gallery in summer 2027.
Applications to attend the Café are open from July until Monday, September 21.
Mayo artists who want to take part in the mentorship programme should submit their expression - including an artist's statement, a CV, a short biography, six to eight images of recent work and a brief statement on how the participation in the programme would benefit their practice - of interest to [email protected] by Friday, August 28.
Linenhall co-Director, Bernadette Greenan, said the Bolay programme aims at supporting and shining a light on local artists.
“The Bolay Programme is about investing in artists at a point where meaningful professional support can make a lasting difference,” she said. “We want to create opportunities that extend beyond a single exhibition, encouraging artists to build confidence and develop ambitious new work, ultimately strengthening our wider visual arts community in Mayo.”
The program stems directly from the Linenhall’s Bolay residency, which was established in 2020 in honour of visual artist and Linenhall Board of Trustees for thirteen years Veronica Bolay.
The residency originally supported one artist, but developed into a successful programme in 2024 when it expanded to create longer-term professional development opportunities for multiple artists in Mayo.
“One of the strengths of the Bolay Programme is that it continues to evolve. We’ve listened closely to artists, our partners and the wider sector to shape a programme that is responsive and sustainable,” said Bernadette Greenan.
The Bolay programme, which was developed in consultation with Visual Artists Ireland and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Mayo Arts Office, will be reviewed in 2028, at the end of its first cycle 2025-2028, to ensure that the programme still meets the evolving needs of artists and the wider visual arts sector.
Artists wishing to attend the Bolay Visual Artists Café on Tuesday, September 29 can apply through the Visual Artists Ireland application portal.
For Mayo artists who want to participate in the Bolay Programme mentorship from October to February, an email should be addressed to [email protected] before Friday, August 28.