Art, Migration and the Politics of Belonging

Art, Migration, and the Politics of Belonging is a week-long, inclusive public programme taking place at the Gallery from Monday 14 September - Sunday 20 September. 

This September, the Education Department is proud to partner with Maynooth University and HIDDEN (History of Identity Documentation in European Nations), a major European research network, to host a week of events exploring the key themes of citizenship, identity, migration, language and representation. 

Funded through the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) programme, HIDDEN connects researchers from across Europe working in history, migration studies, sociology, law, linguistics, human rights and related disciplines. Together, they examine how passports, citizenship papers, and increasingly digital and biometric forms of identification influence mobility, access to rights and everyday life. Through this collaboration, the National Gallery of Ireland has used this research as a point of departure for a dynamic public programme, using art and the national collection to explore issues of identity, human rights and social justice through creative and civic engagement.

Responding to themes of citizenship, migration, identity, language and representation, the programme invites people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to engage with these urgent questions through artistic practice and shared experience. Featuring leading and emerging artists, writers, academics, educators and performers, it encompasses contemporary art installations, a major international symposium, film screenings, public tours, archival displays, professional development training, participatory events and inclusive sensory workshops.

At a time of profound social and political change, Art, Migration, and the Politics of Belonging demonstrates the vital role of cultural institutions as spaces for critical inquiry, dialogue and connection. By intersecting academic research, artistic practice and public participation, the programme encourages audiences to reflect on how histories of movement, identity and documentation continue to shape access, opportunity and belonging. In doing so, it highlights the power of art to foster empathy, challenge inequality and contribute to a more just and inclusive society.

Email [email protected] for more information.

Events are listed below, and on the What's On tab of our website.