Project Arts Centre’s Annual Open Day returns for its fifth year on Sat 20th June from 11am – 5pm, cementing its place on the cultural roster of free accessible art in Dublin’s city centre
The 2026 Open Day programme will present a full day of FREE performances, workshops, talks, gallery tours, food, music and community vibes, with no booking required. No faff, no fuss.
Full information and programme available here: https://projectartscentre.ie/events/open-day-2026/
Never experienced the buzz of an arts venue or community space before? Sick of the mundanity of everyday life? Cost of living crisis getting you down? Block off Saturday, 20th June in your calendar from 11am – 5pm and join Project Arts Centre in the heart of Temple Bar for their free annual Open Day. The Open Day is one day a year where Project swings open the doors of the building to give the public a taste of what they do. Imagine free delicious food experiences from the best local vendors, tunes from Dublin’s diverse DJ scene, performances from some of the best up-and-coming theatre collectives, and workshops to get your body moving and your creative juices flowing.
Speaking on the 2026 programme, creative producer of the Open Day Adrian Colwell says:
“We’re elated to present the fifth iteration of Project Arts Centre’s annual Open Day on Saturday, 20th June. What began as an exploration into expanding hospitality has evolved into a serious commitment to equipping the building to grow as an important space for engaging new audiences and public curiosity. Project’s Annual Open Day is for anyone who’s never been to Project, for artists who have never presented their work in Project, and for any community who has not yet seen their stories on our stages or in our spaces. We hope that these artists inspire you to engage with Project in the future, or to access a creative life yourself, however that looks for you.”
Wander through Project’s iconic building on Essex Street, where behind every door and nestled into every nook of the space, you’ll find something different. Experience visual arts, with gallery tours of Eating The Sun by Polish queer artist Liliana Zeic, or swap the cinema for a selection of film screenings in The Cube of The Floor Is Yours by dance artist Jessie Thompson or Let it Go, the directorial debut by Louise Bruton, previously screened at the Disrupt Disability Arts Festival. Cushy, intimate and with no booking or cost, the film programme for the day has something for everyone.
The iconic Sarah-Jane O’ Regan returns with her ISL Disco, known for her electric performances interpreting for the likes of Oasis, Taylor Swift and the Smirnoff Stage at Electric Picnic. Sarah will bring your favourite tunes to life through ISL and good vibes. D’Girlo’s Theatre, two working-class theatre makers, will also present a condensed performance of their award-winning play That’s Sooo Povo.
Across both performance spaces, there will also be dance and voice workshops by artists Alessandra Azeviche and Tierra Porter. BLACK TONES make their Project debut – providing a community space for black & brown storytellers. Neurogamers Ireland will be set up in the lower foyer for neurodiverse people to meet and play games with new and old friends. And prepare yourself for the return of Smilin’ Kanker (Ciaran O Keefe, Alternative Miss Ireland 2009), who will be performing across the public spaces of the building throughout the entirety of the day.
Full information and programme available here:
https://projectartscentre.ie/events/open-day-2026/
About Project Arts Centre
For over 50 years, Project Arts Centre has been a home, hub and hive for adventurous artists and audiences. What began in 1966 as a small artist-led collective has now evolved into Ireland’s leading centre for the contemporary arts. Influenced, inspired and shaped by its location in the heart of Dublin’s city and the people living here, Project is committed to putting audiences at the heart of its artistic planning by supporting diverse artists to make and present work that speaks to the complexities of contemporary life in Ireland. Each year, Project welcomes almost 60,000 people to over 600 events, from performances, exhibitions, talks, workshops, community projects and schools’ residencies and presents extraordinary work that inspires and provokes.
