Wicklow Arts Officer Jenny Sherwin in conversation with Cllr. Peir Leonard of the Arklow '402 Art Collective' and Míde Ní Shuilléabháin of the 'Wicklow Hills Arts Collective' at Powerscourt House, February 2026. Photograph credit: Kamila Lizis.

Wicklow County Council Arts Office invites artists, arts stakeholders, arts groups, arts festivals and those interested in participating in the arts in County Wicklow to engage in public consultation in relation to the development of the new Arts Plan for County Wicklow from 2026 – 2030. 

Three public consultation meetings will be held:

• one specifically in relation to arts capital and infrastructure development in the Glenview Hotel on Thursday 4 June from 2 – 4pm. Register here.
• general consultation meeting on Thursday 19 June in Arklow Library from 11am – 12:30pm. Register here.
• general consultation meeting on Thursday 19 June in Blessington Library from 7 – 8.30pm. Register here.

Attendance is free, but registration is required via the above links.

The aim of the arts capital and infrastructure meeting in the Glenview Hotel on Thursday 4 June is to understand more clearly the needs for current and future development of arts spaces in the county.  This meeting is relevant for persons who are currently running arts spaces of any format, be they for audiences, artist studios, participation in the arts or collectives. Those planning further development of their existing spaces or who have identified a need in their community for arts infrastructure which is not currently available are also welcome. Attendance from all areas of arts practice and geographic location in the county is encouraged. 

The public consultation meetings on Thursday 19 June in Arklow and Blessington libraries will have a more general focus on artist development and public engagement in the arts. 

Alongside the public consultation meetings, the public, artists, stakeholders or interested parties can contribute to the Arts Plan by completing an online survey which is available on Wicklow County Council’s website.

To develop the new Arts Plan 2026 – 2030, the Arts Office will combine data from these workshops with internal stakeholder engagement within Wicklow County Council, input from key funders of the arts for the county and a review of the County Wicklow Arts Plan 2020 – 2025. The preparation of the new plan will also consider relevant local and national Government policy and plans. It is intended the final draft of the new Arts Plan 2026 – 2030 will be proposed for adoption by the Elected Members of Wicklow County Council by end of October 2026.