Transition Year / Youth Work Experience Placements 2026/27

Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open.

The Gallery has been offering work experience to young people for over 20 years and is proud to continue this tradition. In the academic year 2026/27, we will run two work experience placements. The programme is kindly supported by SMBC Aviation Capital and offers an insight into working life in the arts and an opportunity to go behind the scenes at the National Gallery of Ireland. 

What will I do?

This placement is an exciting opportunity for you to experience working life at one of Ireland’s top cultural institutions and explore a range of careers across the arts sector. During your placement, you will meet with industry professionals from a variety of disciplines such as education, conservation, curation, cultural management, and art practice. You will also develop a range of creative skills through practical workshops and projects.  In previous placements, student projects have included planning events, creating tours and making collective art pieces.

Placement dates:

• Onsite Placement A: Monday 8 – Friday 12 February 2027
• Onsite Placement B: Monday 8 - Friday 12 March 2027

Is this placement for me? 

This placement is suitable for Transition Year students and anyone aged 15 - 17 years old from any education setting who is interested in exploring a career in arts and culture. The week involves hands-on activities and is suitable for students with different learning styles. We ask that you are open to trying something new, engage with the programme, and work as part of a team as you will be part of a group.

Further information

We strive to create a welcoming and vibrant TY/Youth programme reflective of the diverse society that we live in. As such, we actively encourage applications from all students across Ireland.

• Access and disability supports required will be provided to those offered a place.
• We cannot offer work placements outside of these dates and you must be available for the full five days of the placement.
• Please note that the TY/Youth work experience placements are extremely popular and places are limited. 

Contact us with questions

If you have any questions, or if you need this information in an alternative format, please contact us on 01 663 3579 /  0876436310 or [email protected]

Transition Year and Youth Work Experience programme sponsored by SMBC Aviation Capital, Schools Partner.