Réalta, the national resource organisation dedicated to developing arts + health in Ireland, has issued an open call to artists of all arts disciplines to submit proposals for its Arts + Health Research + Development Residency 2026. The deadline for submission of applications is Thursday 27 August 2026. Further details, including how to apply, can be found here. The Réalta Arts + Health Research + Development Residency is funded by the Arts Council.
The residency will provide the successful applicant with the opportunity to research and develop their arts + health practice during a one-month period of exploration and development based at the Réalta Centre for Arts + Health, University Hospital Waterford (UHW). Throughout the residency, the artist will have space to test ideas, explore new approaches and begin shaping the early stages of a project in an acute hospital setting, working creatively in collaboration with the hospital community.
The artist will have access to a dedicated studio space, a larger multi-use studio and the Réalta Arts + Health Library. The Réalta team will also be available to offer support and mentoring throughout the residency, as needed. In addition, the artist will have the opportunity to shadow some of the Waterford Healing Arts programmes at UHW. A full list of these programmes can be found here. The fee for the residency is €3000.
About Réalta
Réalta is the national resource organisation dedicated to developing arts + health in Ireland. Through its national work, Réalta seeks to increase understanding and support for arts and health, and to embed the arts into healthcare provision in Ireland through training programmes; providing information, mentoring and advice; supporting networking, and engaging with the HSE and other policy makers. Réalta manages the Waterford Healing Arts programmes at University Hospital Waterford and other healthcare settings, and the national resource website artsandhealth.ie Réalta is core funded by the Arts Council and the HSE.
For further information:
Réalta’s national work: www.realta.ie
Waterford Healing Arts programmes: www.waterfordhealingarts.com
All about Arts + Health: www.artsandhealth.ie
Photo: Réalta Artist in Residence 2025 Siobhan Clancy. Photo by DGM Photographic.
