TULCA 2026: plan a Galway art afternoon this November

Galway’s galleries become a place to discover new art, hear live electronic music and join a conversation in Japanese and English this November. TULCA Festival of Visual Arts returns from 6 to 22 November 2026 with Veruca Salt, curated by Sinéad Keogh: a city-wide invitation to encounter artists working across film, sculpture, photography, sound and performance.

The festival’s 24th edition draws on punk’s DIY spirit and the possibilities of collective action. You do not need to tackle the whole programme in one visit. Pick an exhibition that interests you, add a performance or guided conversation, and make an afternoon of exploring Galway’s cultural spaces.

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Start with an opening-weekend encounter

The festival launch takes place at An Post Gallery, 18 William Street, on Friday 6 November from 7pm to 9pm. Alongside the publication launch, the evening includes a reading by Sara R Phillips: a chance to experience the festival in company rather than simply walk through an exhibition.

Return on Saturday 7 November for Vivienne, Russell Hart’s live electronic performance, from 3.30pm to 3.50pm. It draws on records associated with the jukebox at Vivienne Westwood’s SEX boutique. This short performance is free, with no booking required, making it an easy starting point for a first TULCA visit.

Build an art afternoon around two venues

At Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street Lower, the exhibition brings together film, photography, painting, sculpture and installation. Artists include Rachel Garfield, Guggi, Shota Kotake and Del LaGrace Volcano. That variety makes the venue a useful choice if you want to discover several different approaches to contemporary art in one stop.

The exhibition runs from 7 to 22 November. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–5pm, with Thursday evenings extended until 9pm, and Sunday, noon–5pm. The late Thursday opening offers an option for a visit after work.

Galway City Museum in May 2022, an archive venue photograph, not a view of the 2026 exhibition. Photo: 瑞丽江的河水 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped.

At Galway City Museum, the programme pairs a traditional beady pocket by Nora Mongan and Galway Traveller Movement with a commissioned graphite portrait by Indian-born, Ireland-based artist Madhuri Singh. Together, they offer a more intimate encounter with craft, identity and the people whose stories become part of an exhibition. Visit Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4.45pm; the museum’s final festival opening day is Saturday 21 November.

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Join a conversation in Japanese and English

For newcomers looking for a shared cultural experience, the Japanese community gallery tour is a particularly welcoming way in. On Saturday 21 November, from 3pm to 4pm, education coordinator Aoife Natsumi Frehan and artist Seiko Hayase lead a discussion in Japanese and English at An Post Gallery.

Beginning with Hayase’s large installation Egg – Collection of Emotions, the conversation explores emotions and other works in the exhibition. It is aimed primarily at Galway’s Japanese community, but everyone is welcome. Participation is free, with advance booking recommended.

Choose your starting point in the official TULCA programme, where individual listings provide booking links and venue information, and put a Galway art afternoon in your November diary.

Featured photograph: Galway Arts Centre in 2014, an archive venue photograph. Photo: Johannes Ghee / Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Cropped.