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Welcome to Aosdána

The affiliation of creative artists in Ireland

Aosdána, founded in 1981, honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the creative arts in Ireland, and assists members in devoting their energies fully to their art practice.

Members

Members

Membership of Aosdána, which is by peer nomination and election, is limited to 250 living artists who have produced a distinguished body of work. Members must be resident in Ireland for at least five years, and must have produced a body of work that is original and creative.

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General Assembly

General Assembly

Each year, the membership of Aosdána meets for a General Assembly, to elect new members, to agree matters of policy and procedure, to undertake an analysis and review of the various activities of Aosdána, and to discuss issues relevant to the arts and artists in society.

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Saoi

Saoi

Members of Aosdána may receive the honour of Saoi. This is for singular and sustained distinction in the arts. The members of Aosdána nominate a candidate and elect a Saoi. The President of Ireland, patron of Aosdána, confers the symbol of the office of Saoi, the gold Torc.

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