The Model Arts and Niland Gallery, Sligo is is one of the leading contemporary arts centres in Ireland.  Built in 1862 as a Model School, the present building was completely refurbished, extended and reopened to wide acclaim in 2000. The award winning building is home to the impressive Niland Art Collection, featuring works by John and Jack B. Yeats, Estella Solomons, Paul Henry and Louis Le Broquy among others.

The acclaimed contemporary exhibition programme features several major exhibitions annually drawn from noted national and international contemporary artists. Previous artists have included Patrick Hall, Sean McSweeny, Mark Orange, Runa Islam, John Shinnors, Camille Souter William Kentridge, Jaki Irvine and Barrie Cooke among others.

The centre has an award winning gourmet cafe; The Atrium, and a vibrant performance programme which includes an eclectic mix of contemporary and classical music and comedy. We screen cultural cinema each week in association with the Sligo Film Society and our youth film club Twisted Reels, and play host to two key music festivals each year; The Sligo New Music Festival in Spring and The Sligo Festival of Baroque Music, in October.

Integral to the programme is an extensive offering of educational opportunities for children and adults.

The Model is about to enter it’s second exciting phase of redevelopment and will close in December 2007 following a major Andy Warhol Exhibition and related film and music season, reopening in spring 2009.