The partnership will support the development of digital art in Ireland through a programme of national initiatives designed to foster innovation, provide platforms for artists, and engage audiences across the country.

Through this collaboration, Matheson will support:

• The 3rd Symposium on Digital Art in Ireland, delivered in partnership with University College Cork’s Department of Digital Humanities, bringing together artists, academics and practitioners to explore developments in digital creativity. The 2026 symposium welcomed 18 speakers across 12 presentations and attracted an audience of 160 attendees from Ireland and the UK.
• ‘House of Memory’, a solo exhibition by artist Basil Al-Rawi, hosted at the Sample-Studios Gallery: Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, which welcomed over 1,300 visitors during its 2026 run.
• A new digital art bursary, to be launched in September 2026, supporting an emerging artist to develop and present new work, including a solo exhibition in 2027.

Darren Maher, managing partner, Matheson, said: “Sample-Studios does important work in supporting artists and strengthening Ireland’s creative community. Through this partnership, we’ll support a range of initiatives that create opportunities for digital artists to develop and exhibit their work. The symposium, exhibition programme and bursary each make an important contribution to the development of digital art in Ireland, and we’re pleased to support that work through our Impactful Business Programme.”

Dr Matthew Whyte, development manager, Sample-Studios, added: “As one of Ireland’s largest artist studio organisations, Sample-Studios are dedicated to creating opportunities to support artists of all disciplines and to enrich the arts sector locally and nationally. This partnership with Matheson enables us to expand our national programme and introduce a new digital art bursary to facilitate the creation of new digital artwork and deliver impactful initiatives to support artists in this rapidly growing field.”