Sculpture in Context CLG

Sculpture in Context – Company Limited by Guarantee

Founded in 1985, Sculpture in Context is a not‑for‑profit organisation that champions contemporary sculpture across Ireland. Each year the charity has curated a major open‑air exhibition in the National Botanic Gardens, presenting site‑responsive works that spark dialogue between art, nature and the public. The programme offers Irish and international sculptors – from established practitioners to emerging graduates – a high‑profile platform to showcase ambitious pieces, while inviting a broad audience that includes local residents, school and college groups, immigrant communities and visitors from abroad.

Over four decades the exhibition has attracted more than 100 000 visitors in a single season and received hundreds of artist submissions, underscoring its role as a key conduit for creative experimentation and public engagement. After a voluntary run by directors Jackie Ball and William Foley for 14 years, the 2026 edition has been paused due to funding and venue constraints. An advisory committee, set up in 2025, is now working to secure financing and relaunch the exhibition from 2027 onward, ensuring the continuation of this vital cultural legacy.