Members of the public are invited to submit their suggestions on the subjects for the artwork. The series will celebrate trailblazing women who have contributed to the betterment of society. When completed, the new artworks will join the UCC Art Collection and will be permanently exhibited on the UCC campus.

Accenture’s Women on Walls is a campaign that seeks to make women leaders visible through a series of commissioned portraits that will create a lasting cultural legacy for Ireland. The campaign began in 2016 with the Royal Irish Academy, followed by a second campaign with RCSI in 2019, and a third with DCU in 2020.  This is the first time the campaign has commenced with a public call for subject suggestions.

Professor John O'Halloran, President of UCC, said: “I am delighted that UCC is partnering with Accenture and Business to Arts to bring the Women on Walls campaign to Cork. It is important the diverse talents and contributions of women are recognised and that their stories are visible and celebrated. This campaign aligns with our University’s longstanding commitment to promoting and advancing equality, diversity and inclusion and creating an environment where everyone feels they belong. We hope the trailblazing women we will spotlight as part of this campaign will inspire and encourage our students, staff, alumni, and the wider community to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential.”

Dr Michelle Cullen, Managing Director and Inclusion & Diversity Lead, Accenture in Ireland added: 
“We set out on the journey of Women on Walls with the ambition of making women leaders visible to inspire future generations. 25 extraordinary women have been recognised in commissioned portraits since Women on Walls began in 2016. It has been a privilege to shine a light on their stories and create a lasting cultural legacy on public display at the Royal Irish Academy, RCSI and Dublin City University. As we embark on this next chapter with UCC, we look forward to recognising the outstanding achievements of a new group of women leaders.”

Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts said: "Business to Arts is proud to work with Accenture on Women on Walls since its inception in 2016, and in each edition, it has been the epitome of a purposeful partnership. We are excited to work with UCC and to support the commissioning of trailblazing artists to honour the selected pioneering female subjects for this new portrait collection."

Members of the public are invited to submit nominations by visiting www.accenture.com/womenonwalls and completing the online form. 

Subjects may be living or deceased. This commission focuses on women subjects and nominations are encouraged from groups who are currently underrepresented. All applications will be considered on the merits, experience, and qualifications of the proposed subjects as these relate to the requirements and specifications of the commission.

The closing date is Tuesday 6 August 2024. It is anticipated that the selected subjects will be announced in October 2024. An open call for the commissioning process of artists will run later this year through Business to Arts.

UCC’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is set out in the UCC Strategic Plan 2023 – 2028. UCC holds a Bronze Institutional Athena SWAN award and is implementing a comprehensive five-year Gender Equality Action Plan. UCC is also a signatory of the Higher Education Authority’s Anti-Racism Principles for Irish Higher Education. The UCC Arts and Culture Plan commenced in 2022. 

Further information on Accenture’s Women on Walls is available at: www.accenture.com/womenonwalls

Featured image: pictured left to right are Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts; Dr Avril Hutch, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, UCC; Dr Michelle Cullen, Managing Director and Inclusion & Diversity Lead, Accenture in Ireland; and Professor John O'Halloran, President of UCC. 

Photo credit: Clare Keogh.