Artist-run space Pallas Projects /Studios marks three decades with a new anniversary programme beginning on June 25th, featuring exhibitions, performances, and collaborative projects.
For three decades, one organisation has refused to let the artistic flame die out. Pallas Projects/Studios, a not-for-profit artist-run space, marks its 30th year in 2026 with a wide- reaching programme that proves how self-determination and consistency lead towards growth.
Founded in a run-down former knitwear factory on Foley Street in May 1996, Pallas was established to fulfil the lack of space for artists. Fresh out of college, co-founders Mark Cullen and Brian Duggan looked at the empty culture landscape and decided to create the one.
“Brian Duggan and I left college around the same time,” recalls Mark Cullen. We were driven by do-it-yourself culture- the idea of going out and creating the kind of culture you wanted to see in the world.” Thirty years later, the same spirit has grown into something far more community-driven. The anniversary programme, titled Do it Together, is a riff on that original punkish autonomy. The space that is built around collaboration.
Over the years, Pallas has transformed temporary spaces into a space for art, staging hundreds of exhibitions and projects, and providing studio spaces for artists. It has supported generations of emerging, early-career, and established artists. This evolving, site-responsive practice eventually found a more stable foundation in 2012, when the organisation settled into its long-term home in the Coombe in Dublin Liberties.
When Pallas moved to the Coombe, the area was still filled with artist studios that had seen little major development. By 2021, its research showed a sharp decline, with 27 studio buildings closing across Dublin since 2012. These included spaces such as Broadstone studios, Block T Smithfield, Moxie studios, The Market Studios, New Art Studios, and Steambox.
“It’s changed an awful lot since we first set up in the 90s,” Marks explains, “the city was expanding rapidly in the Celtic Tiger era. There was warehouse space available, but they were being taken off the map.” Gavin Murphy, co-artistic director, highlights the precarious reality of being an artist today: “Artists don’t practice in a non-commercial way of approaching life, culture, and society without relying on other people’s goodwill and forging creative partnerships.” Despite the temporary locations, Pallas has survived through pure tenacity. “You just need a lot of dedication, Murphy admits with a laugh. “Only the art of keeping going was needed.”
They added: “After the 2008 crash, new kinds of spaces opened across the city, and for the first time, we were able to secure a long-term base rather than constantly moving between short leases.”
“Before that, we were always on the edge, constantly shifting between monthly leases, but now we are on a long-term lease that has changed our presence in the area. That long-term has allowed a deeper connection with the local community.” To celebrate three decades of survival and creativity, Pallas has put together a special programme of events, exhibitions, and collaborations. It runs from June to October 2026.
Celebrating 30th Anniversary programme with an opening event featuring AA Bronson and Paul O’Neill
The anniversary programme kicks off on June 25 with a major talk event at IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art): AA Bronson in conversation with Paul O’Neil (director of PUBLICS, Helsinki. This is not merely a simple programme; it is a lineage call-back. AA Bronson, a pioneer of collaborative practice since the 1970s (co-founder of General Idea Art Metropole in Toronto), represents the continuum of self-organized art that Pallas champions. Back in 2016, Pallas published the landmark research project Artist-Run Europe.
“We felt that the history of our practice in Ireland or around Europe hadn’t really been written,” says Gavin Murphy. “Without that discourse, a whole sphere of artistic endeavour can be overlooked and dismissed.” Bronson contributed a seminal text to that volume. Now he finally comes to Dublin to celebrate the survival and evolution of that spirit.”
“We want audiences to experience a sense of what artist-run spaces are about- the freedom, experimentation, and the community that shaped why we started in the first place. Over the past 10-20 years, many artist-run spaces in the city have disappeared or become more centralised or have increasingly commercial conditions.” “So for us, the anniversary programme is also about remembering that original impulse- why we built these spaces, and what it means to keep that spirit alive,” he added
August-22, A party in the yard
In collaboration with Dublin Modular, Pallas is hosting a music event called “In Electric Dreams” featuring Rising Damp, DJ Faggot, Jinx Lennon, Foxgluv, Liliane Puthod and BAHDO. This outdoor event transforms its Coombe yard into a celebration of shared social space dedicated to underground sound and artist-led culture.
Alongside the talks, Pallas will bring together live performances and DJ sets from a range of experimental and underground artists. The programme extends the anniversary celebrations beyond the gallery space.
Do it Together: A major event that represents Pallas’ 30-year history
The exhibition will be running from 3rd September to 24th October, curated by Gavin Murphy and Mark Cullen. The exhibition is split into two phases, featuring international partners such as PUBLICS (Helsinki), Kunsthal Gent (an artist-run space in Belgium), and Muine Bheag Arts (Carlow). It also includes a special partnership with the estate of Gordon Matta-Clark.
The second phase of the exhibition will show a mix of Irish and International artists who have been important to Pallas’ history- from early contributors like Katie Holten, Jesse Jones, Brian Duggan, Venus Patel and E.S.P.TV. A newly built structure by the artist group Forerunner will serve as the exhibition’s centrepiece, alongside a film programme of works by famous artist Hito Steyerl.
“Do it Together celebrates collaboration and the idea of creating a platform where people can express themselves, experiment and try new things,” they said. “There is a strong sense of support in the artist-run model. The space where the public can encounter new forms of practice and work from emerging artists.” Perhaps the most exciting news on the 30th anniversary programme is the launch of a new space POP (Pallas Open Project) in New Market Yards.
POP: Next step towards a new artist-run space
“We are opening a new space in Dublin 8 at Newmarket Yards called Pallas Open Projects,” Mark said. “Unlike our main space, which is curated and programmed by us, this venue is intended to be more open and community-focused-a place where other organisations and collectives can make use of the space for screenings, music events, short-run exhibitions, workshops, and other projects.”
This new multipurpose space (gallery, small cinema, and workshop room) aims to create a more collaborative and community-focused environment, with year-round events programmed by Dublin-Modular. According to the founder, the new venue will create greater opportunities for collaboration and community engagement.
Continuing Legacy in 2026
“What began as a small artist-run studio for a few artists has grown into an organisation supporting visual artists nationally and internationally”, Mark said. “From initially providing space for around 15 artists, Pallas now supports approximately 50 artists across multiple premises.”
“Having a space for artists to experiment and create culture is essential, because we see the arts as playing an evolutionary role within civic society- pushing boundaries, bringing society forward, and helping us engage with difficult issues across the board,” he added
For Mark Cullen, the artist-run space in 2026 is deep. He said, “It is the ground zero of creative culture- a space where experimentation happens, where it is encouraged and where collaborations can be discussed and developed.” “It’s a place where art can operate freely and self-determine what it needs to be, and that idea of self-determination for both the artist and work is very important to us,” Mark and Gavin said.
The programme continues to evolve each year, with a changing roster of artists bringing new perspectives into space. “Each year, we have different areas explored by artists, so it is never the same,” Mark said. “It is always great to see what artists can bring to the table, because their focus is very deep and authentic. It is bringing forward those genuine voices and allowing them to express themselves.”
Pallas supports artists at different stages of their careers through a range of studio provision and programmes. They said, “Our exhibition programme allows artists to apply to present work with us, and we provide curatorial support, technical assistance, installation, as well as marketing, photography, and video documentation. The shows are promoted through our website and social media channels, giving artists a wider platform and reach.”
Words: Iqra Siddiqui
For more info on Pallas Projects visit pallasprojects.org
Pallas Projects/Studios’ 30th Anniversary programme highlights include:
June 25: AA Bronson in conversation with Paul O’ Neill at IMMA.
August 22: In Electric Dreams Yard Party with Dublin Modular
September-October: Do it together exhibition
Opening of POP: Pallas Open Project at Newmarket Yards. Pallas would like to thank Dublin City Council and Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for funding the POP space, as well as the Arts Council for supporting the 30th anniversary programme.
