Séamus Kealy has been appointed as the new director of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (RHA) in Dublin, returning to Ireland after more than a decade abroad. Kealy previously served as executive director of Oakville Galleries in Ontario and directed the Salzburger Kunstverein in Austria. In an interview, he discusses the challenges facing Irish artists, including a lack of studio space and housing strain, while praising Ireland's Basic Income Scheme for Artists as an inspiring model. He also notes institutional shifts such as Annie Fletcher's leadership at IMMA and the Crawford Gallery's redevelopment.
Kealy's appointment matters because he brings a unique perspective shaped by leading artist-centered institutions internationally, and he aims to honor the RHA's 200-year history while pushing it toward a more international and inclusive future. His return signals a potential shift in how the RHA engages with contemporary art and supports artists in Ireland, especially amid ongoing debates about arts funding and infrastructure. The interview also highlights broader trends in Irish institutional governance and the evolving role of historic academies in the 21st century.