DCU Art Collection

Dublin City University, despite its relatively young age, has cultivated a modest art collection over the past four decades. Since 2018, we've made a concerted effort to develop it further through thoughtful acquisitions, generous donations, and long-term loans from esteemed collections such as the Arts Council, AIB, and various private collectors and artists. Our goal is to enhance this collection to mirror the mission and values of our University—transforming it into a vital educational and cultural resource for our students, staff and the wider community.

Our vision extends beyond the conventional gallery or museum format. We envisage the entire university campus as an expansive, open-air gallery. Here, art is not confined to enclosed spaces but is integrated throughout the campus. This approach allows everyone who visits DCU to experience original art firsthand, thereby enriching their interaction with our space.

It is our ambition, that visual arts at DCU, will play a significant role in the learning, enjoyment, and wellbeing of our community. Artworks situated around our campus not only enhance our cultural and architectural environment but also provoke thought, foster discussions, and reflect societal changes. They act as windows to new perspectives and chronicle the various phases of our university's history. Like teaching and research, visual arts improve our 'ways of knowledge' and align seamlessly with DCU’s values.

As stewards of this modest yet growing collection, and as gatekeepers of invaluable loans from various bodies, we are committed to supporting artists and nurturing a vibrant Irish arts sector. Our ambition is clear: to develop a dynamic collection that not only decorates but also deeply resonates with all who visit Dublin City University.
 

DCU Art Collection Policy and Procedures

The purpose of the Policy is to define the process by which the University seeks to develop, care for and make accessible its art collection and to provide a cohesive approach to developing the DCU Art Collection, in line with the University’s vision, mission and values. The support documentation below should be read in tandem with the Policy.
Click here for Policy and Procedures.