Project Groundswell

Exhibition: 21 February – 12 April 2026

Photo Museum Ireland is proud to announce the Irish premiere of Project Groundswell, a major European visual arts initiative that asks a simple question: what does climate action actually look like? Opening in Dublin from 21 February 2026, the exhibition brings together work by 12 international artists whose work rejects simplified narratives of environmental change in favour of close, critical attention to what climate action actually looks like in practice.

Developed through an EU-wide open call that received over 500 submissions, the heart of the exhibition displays projects by four Project Groundswell Award Winners, who have been selected for extended residencies and curatorial mentorship with partner organisations across Europe. Alongside the exhibition four bespoke limited-edition photobooks launch, showcasing the winning works and allowing these series’ to be shared globally.

Alongside the gallery exhibition, eight Showcase Award Winners bring Meeting House Square, in the heart of Dublin City, to life through a large-scale outdoor projection.

Project Groundswell is defined by its refusal of easy narratives. The artists’ works are selected for their critical intelligence and analytical depth, engaging directly with the realities of climate response as it is lived and negotiated. The exhibition counters apathy by making visible the choices and tensions shaping our present.

About Project Groundswell

Project Groundswell is a collaboration between Photo Museum Ireland (Ireland), Imago Lisboa (Portugal), Cortona On The Move (Italy) and FOTOHOF (Austria). It is supported by the European Union and designed to champion environmentally conscious artistic practice while opening up meaningful public engagement with climate action. The project combines artistic commissioning, international exhibition-making, digital dissemination, and capacity-building for artists and cultural workers. Through co-produced exhibitions, publications, workshops and online platforms, it brings new perspectives on climate action to audiences across Europe and beyond.

About Photo Museum Ireland

Photo Museum Ireland is the national centre for contemporary photography. We lead the way in showcasing the very best of photography for all audiences, encouraging debate and new thinking about the role of the photographic image in society. In 2025 we presented seven exhibitions, which enlightened, challenged, and inspired over 60,000 visitors to our award-winning building. Founded in 1978 as the Gallery of Photography, it was Ireland’s first public gallery dedicated to photography. In 2022, we established Ireland’s first photo museum. Our dedicated photography collection defines, preserves and promotes the canon of photography in Ireland. Our dynamic engagement programmes foster greater awareness of photography and deepen understanding of photography and visual culture. By creating innovative and inclusive opportunities for people to engage with our events, we build connections and promote meaningful exchanges between artists and the public. Supported by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council.

Acknowledgement of EU Support

Project Groundswell is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.