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Endangered Conceptual Worlds

Just a few days before the start of Ireland's EU presidency, the 2026 International Forum on Artistic Research will open on this year’s Oíche Shin Seáin. It sets out to explore the intersection between diverse forms of artistic research and the social, cultural and political contexts in which it operates. This year’s forum is focused on how artistic research engages with endangered conceptual worlds and minoritised languages — while also inviting engagement beyond language alone. 

As the largest conference on practice-based research within and through the arts, the 17th International SAR Conference brings together leading practitioners, scholars and policymakers from the entire range of arts-based disciplines. The event showcases artistic research projects and facilitates the exchange of experiences across institutional boundaries, focusing on critical debates on key issues.

Addressing the challenges of cultural diversity

The International Forum on Artistic Research 2026 will explore how the visual, aural and material cultures of minoritised languages and endangered worlds constitute complex systems of conceptualisation and re-contextualisation. The pressing issue of linguistic diversity worldwide resonates deeply with the ethos and aims of the Artistic Research movement. This has become particularly urgent as Large Language Models (LLMs) threaten minoritised languages and generative models of Artificial Intelligence challenge the very concept of creative practice. The Forum in Galway 2026 will bring together a wide range of perspectives on the most urgent issues for cultural diversity. It will respond to these issues through four days of peer-reviewed presentations, performances, keynote speeches, policy labs and breakout sessions, while also offering dedicated slots to SAR's Special Interest Groups (SIG).

Practice-based research through the arts poses a fundamental challenge to both reductionist and conventional modes of thinking within academia and society. As a minoritarian mode of knowledge production, it eludes simplification and easy categorisation. By expanding formations of critical thinking, creative practice and social imagination in fundamental ways, it celebrates the complex and diverse modes of thought and action necessary to address today's societal challenges. Artistic research is uniquely placed to embrace and explore diverse systems of knowledge formation that exist underneath or next to established power structures. By moving beyond the limits of text, writing and the imperative practices of counting, mapping and dissecting, artistic research provides access to knowledges situated outside predominant or hegemonic cultures.

Out now: A call for contributions

A call for contributions for the International Forum on Artistic Research 2026 has been published. Keep an eye out for more details, such as early bird registration and subscribe to the SAR conference 2026 newsletter to stay updated.