Mayo County Council’s Art Service announces award recipients
In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Thursday, December 3, 2026) Mayo County Council’s Arts Service is delighted to announce the recipients of the UPSTART 2026 Awards.
Mayo County Council’s Arts Service has made a considerable investment in Arts and Disability programming throughout the county over the last number of years.
These annual UPSTART Awards support quality arts and disability projects throughout the county. Following assessment by an external, expert panel, seven projects have been chosen to receive this year’s awards. The projects are based in Ballina, Ballinrobe, Belmullet, Castlebar, and Westport, and are as follows:
Inclusive Impressions
A series of ten workshops using mixed media techniques such as printmaking, drawing, painting and other such mediums facilitated by artist, Catherine Gannon with service users from the Hub, Ballina. The project will culminate in an exhibition at Ballina Arts Centre on December 3.
Food and Care: A Meitheal of our time
This is a collaborative art project involving the Bridge Day Service, Ballina and the Mary Robinson Centre. A series of visual arts workshops facilitated by artist, Emma Donoghue, with service users from the Bridge Day Service, Ballina. The workshops will culminate in an immersive installation to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday, December 3. The installation will also be presented at the Climate Action Conference in Ballina.
The Glass Story House
A series of six workshops in stained glass and storytelling facilitated by artist, Ruby Staunton, and a local writer’s group, with artists from the Luisne Art Group, Ballinrobe. The workshops will run from September to November and culminate in an exhibition in November this year.
Moulding Memories
Artist Henri Hedou will facilitate a series of pottery workshops for members of the Western Care Day Service, Belmullet; which will culminate in an open day for family members and the local community.
Makey Makey Micro Controllers
A series of arts workshops facilitated by artist, Jane Cassidy. Students at St. Angela’s School will learn to use microcontroller technology to design and prototype their own accessible musical instruments inspired by their personal ideas and creative interests.
YAMA Production featuring Song, Music and ISL
Artist Maya Bullard will create a video of songs accompanied by Irish Sign Language interpretation with invited guests in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Beginning in the summer, the project will culminate in a performance on December 3.
Over and Under
A collaborative 3D Textile Project with members of The Carrowbeg Artists Collective and guest artist, Mags Duffy. A series of workshops culminating in an exhibition at the Custom House Studios, Westport, in January 2027.
All projects / events in the UPSTART 2026 programme will come to fruition on or around December 3, 2026.
For further information on Mayo County Council's UPSTART initiative visit here.
You can also contact Damien O'Connor, Disability Arts Coordinator by emailing doconnor@mayococo.ie