New €40,000 Francis Bacon Awards for Irish Visual Arts announced as part of Dublin Gallery Weekend 2026
Château La Coste Partners with Dublin Gallery Weekend to Announce Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Art.
Château le Coste, one of Europe's leading destinations for contemporary art and architecture is delighted to announce the inaugural year five-year Francis Bacon Awards. This will represent the highest level of success for Irish contemporary visual artists
Beginning this year, A Lifetime Achievement Award will honour an Irish artist, or artist living in Ireland, whose sustained contribution to contemporary visual art has made a significant national and international impact and the recipient will receive €25,000.
The Mid-Career Artist Award will recognise exceptional achievement by an Irish artist, or artist living in Ireland, whose work has made an outstanding contribution to contemporary visual art the recipient will receive €15,000.
The partnership celebrates the connection between contemporary art, hospitality, and the natural landscape, providing an artist with the opportunity to develop their practice within the unique setting of Château Le Coste’s estate.
The initiative reflects Château Le Coste’s and Dublin Gallery Weekend’s ongoing commitment to supporting artists and creating meaningful connections between culture, place and community.
Both winners will also be invited to present solo exhibitions at Château La Coste.
Daniel Kennedy, Art Centre Director at Château La Coste. said:
“Château La Coste is delighted to support these new prizes for the visual arts. We are proud to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and outstanding commitment of the artists recognised, and we hope this award provides a focus on their practice and meaningful support for the future. More broadly, we believe the prize will shine a light on Ireland's vibrant artistic community, both at home and internationally, recognising the many artists who maintain a strong creative dialogue and enduring connection with Ireland.”
The Francis Bacon Awards winners will be selected by an outstanding international panel comprising of Emma Goltz, collector and Chair of Studio Voltaire, London; Barbara Dawson, Director of Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin; Brian Cass, Senior Curator, Hayward Touring, Hayward Gallery, London; Caoimhín Mac Giolla Léith, writer, critic and educator; and Mary McCarthy, Director of Crawford Art Gallery, Cork.
The winners will be announced on Monday October 19th
