TULCA Education
Welcome to the TULCA Education Programme.
TULCA is an annual festival dedicated to contemporary visual art, held each November across Galway City and County. Each year, TULCA commissions an Irish curator to conceptualise the festival's theme. Through an open call and invitation process, the curator selects both national and international artists to respond to this theme. The result is a dynamic programme of multi-venue exhibitions and events, collectively presented as TULCA Festival of Visual Arts.
The Education Programme is designed to align with the themes explored in the festival, providing an opportunity for audiences of all ages to engage with and reflect on visual art. We invite participants to actively think about and discuss the works on display, encouraging curiosity and dialogue through both in-person and virtual interactions. The shared experience of viewing and discussing art sparks diverse conversations and fosters deeper engagement with the works.
TULCA’s Education Programme is unique in its focus on fostering a critical, reflective approach to visual art. It actively engages with schools and the wider community, fostering greater awareness and understanding of the visual arts. The programme promotes "slow looking"—a deliberate, thoughtful approach to art—encouraging reflection and response. The artists featured in TULCA often explore pressing social issues, and the Education Programme extends this exploration by offering a space for critical dialogue and learning. It draws on personal experience and acknowledges the diverse visual languages, value systems, and perspectives that each individual brings to their encounter with art.
Our educational offerings cater to all levels, from primary and secondary education to higher education and community engagement. The programme is developed in collaboration with multiple partners, including the Atlantic Technological University, University of Galway, Galway City Libraries, Galway Arts Centre, 126 Artist-Run Gallery, Outset Gallery, and Galway City Museum. TULCA is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, Galway City Council, and Galway County Council.
