TULCA Visual Arts Festival

Since 2002, TULCA Festival of Visual Arts has captivated Galway city and county with an eclectic display of Contemporary Art. TULCA is a multi-venue, artist-centered festival of contemporary art that works with Irish curators to present innovative exhibitions that provoke and energise audiences into the world of the Visual Arts.¹

Every year TULCA takes place over three weeks in November and is the only festival in Ireland to specifically commission Irish curators who develop a theme unique to the event.
TULCA initiates an open call that invites national and international artists to submit a proposal based upon the chosen theme.

They challenge themselves and their visitors to think about art and its place in the world, covering a range of subjects. National and International collaboration and exchange have made TULCA a Festival for creative cross-fertilisation and a source of surprise, inspiration and imagination for visitors and participants.

Exhibitions take place in both gallery and non-gallery spaces, featuring projects and events across urban and regional contexts.

They create a visual arts trail through the streets of Galway, embracing the illustrious culture and ambience for which the city is renowned. They host guided tours, talks, seminars and workshops.

An art-through-education programme T.Ed invites schools throughout the city and county to participate in the arts and experience the festival. ²

Previous Curators:

• 2004 – Michael Dempsey

• 2005 – Cliodhna Shaffrey

• 2005 – Sarah Searson

• 2006 – Aine Phillips

• 2007 – Aideen Barry & Louise Manifold

• 2008 – George Bolster

• 2009 – Helen Carey

• 2010 – Michelle Browne

• 2011 – Megs Morley

• 2012 – Gregory McCartney

• 2013 – Valerie Connor

• 2014 – Aisling Prior

• 2015 – Mary Cremin

• 2016 – Daniel Jewesbury

• 2017 – Matt Packer

• 2018 – Linda Shevlin

• 2019 – Kerry Guinan

• 2020 – Sarah Browne

• 2021 –  Eoin Dara