Our Story
We believe in a world where everyone has the opportunity to think and live creatively
OUR VALUES…
We CARE about the future of VISUAL, our community and our planet. We are genuinely committed to having a positive influence and impact.
We seek to be RELEVANT within this changing world to the people and to the communities that we serve. We find creative ways to explore what matters to them.
We are READY TO BE RADICAL. We ask questions and think about art and the world in new ways. We support and enable others to do so too.
We are FOR EVERYONE. We work hard to make VISUAL an attractive, comfortable place where everyone is welcome and anyone can take part.
About us
VISUAL is a place where people, art and ideas meet to celebrate and think about the world that we share.
Established in 2009, VISUAL is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts centres. Situated in the heart of Carlow in an architecturally stunning and award-winning building,
We present a year-round programme of work in our 330-seat theatre, named after George Bernard Shaw and up 15 to exhibitions per year in our iconic exhibition spaces, which are of a scale unique in Ireland.
Alongside the work we produce or present, we also curate a learning and engagement programme, working closely with local schools, and within our local communities to provide free or affordable opportunities to access and participate in the arts.
Another key aspect of what we do is our developmental work with artists. We commission and support artists across all genres to create work of imagination and distinction, which is relevant locally and resonates nationally and internationally.
History
The initial €18 million investment in the building was a joint project of the Carlow Local Authorities, made possible through the allocation of funding by the Local Authorities and a grant of €3.17 million by the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism under the ACCESS Programme.
A site was generously donated by Carlow College and an international architectural competition was held by the RIAI, with the final award of contract to Terry Pawson, a British architect with vast experience in designing buildings for the arts and cultural sectors.