About

Kildare Artists is a democratic, non-profit making organisation, formed by artists for artists working or living in County Kildare. The functions of Kildare Artists are to improve the creative and financial status of its members (see aims and objectives below). Central to this policy is the maintenance of high professional standards while ensuring greater accessibility of members work. Kildare Artists achieves accreditation by fulfilling the criteria of standards of the former Association of Artist in Ireland (AAI), now V.A.I. Members work in a variety of media, painting, drawing, sculpture, video, photography, installation and print.

History
AKA was established in 1995 and included sculptors such as Bríd Ní Rinn, Eileen McDonagh, Fifi Smith, the late James McKenna and painters such as James Flack,  June Brilly, Leslie Fennel, Patrick Cahill and Elizabeth Cope among its members. The association held its annual exhibition in a venue in County Kildare, the most recent being at Barberstown Castle and at the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge.  All funds accrued by AKA were re-directed into the development of resources and support for artists. AKA  published a catalogue of members work in 2000.

In 2008 it was decided by members to revamp the organisation by developing a website and inviting more Kildare artists to join the group. The idea is to form an umbrella organisation for all visual artists in Kildare. The name was changed to KILDARE ARTISTS.

Aims and Objectives:
o    to improve the creative and financial status of its members.
o    to increase the accessibility of member’s work.
o    to receive professional accreditation.
o    to create an atmosphere where progress and excellence are achieved by the exchange of ideas, values and concepts.
o    to challenge, encourage and nurture each other on a continual basis, to allow new skills and processes to emerge.
o    to exhibit members work locally, nationally and internationally at suitable venues.
o    to establish lasting relationships with relevant agencies through marketing and networking.
o    to maintain high professional standards.
o    to create an on-going catalogue of members and their work.
o    to provide a permanent exhibition venue for its members.
o    to provide workshop facilities for cross fertilisation of disciplines.
o    to appoint an appropriate agent or representative to broaden the market potential and pursue the interests of members.