Leaving Cert Art: The working artist & career
How often The working artist & career comes up on the Art papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
HL Asked on 3 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker
OL Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker
Quick ones on The working artist & career.
- Retrospective
- Residency
- Private view
- Enterprise Ireland
- Fáilte Ireland
- The Arts Council
- The total size of the edition
- Its rank in quality in the edition
- The price of the print in euro
Show the answers
(a) Residency
(b) The Arts Council
(c) The total size of the edition
Higher Level
Asked on 3 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Q3 |
| 2024 | Q3 |
| 2023 | Q6 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More The working artist & career questions
The working artist & career, 2 marks
A commercial gallery that sells an artist's work usually earns?
- A fixed daily fee paid by the artist
- The copyright of every work it sells
- A percentage commission on each sale
Show the answer
A percentage commission on each sale
Commission is often a large share of the price and covers the gallery's space, promotion and sales work. The artist keeps the copyright.
The working artist & career, 2 marks
A grant that gives an artist money and time to develop their work is a?
- Invoice
- Bursary
- Royalty
Show the answer
Bursary
The Arts Council and local authorities offer bursaries. Unlike a commission, a bursary funds development rather than a finished piece for a client.
The working artist & career, 2 marks
A public invitation for artists to send proposals for a show or commission is an?
- Open call
- Private view
- Artist's proof
Show the answer
Open call
Arts councils, festivals and galleries post open calls with a brief and a deadline. A strong response fits the brief with images, a proposal and a CV.
Ordinary Level
Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Q6 |
| 2024 | Q2 |
| 2023 | Q2 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More The working artist & career questions
The working artist & career, 2 marks
Which body is Ireland's national agency for funding the arts?
- Fáilte Ireland
- Enterprise Ireland
- The Arts Council
Show the answer
The Arts Council
The Arts Council (An Chomhairle Ealaíon) gives grants, bursaries and awards to artists and arts groups. Local authority arts offices also support artists locally.
The working artist & career, 2 marks
What is an artist-in-residence programme?
- A gallery that shows the work of dead artists
- An artist is based in a place for a set time to work
- An artist sells their home studio to a gallery
Show the answer
An artist is based in a place for a set time to work
Residencies happen in schools, hospitals, galleries and even companies. The artist gets time, space and often pay; the host gets new work and contact with an artist.
The working artist & career, 2 marks
Besides selling artworks, how can a visual artist earn money?
- Teaching classes or workshops
- Paying galleries to show their work
- Buying other artists' work
Show the answer
Teaching classes or workshops
Artists also earn through commissions, grants, residencies, prints, public art and brand collaborations. Most combine several sources of income.
Other Art topics
- Art elements & design principles
- Fashion, costume & jewellery
- Galleries, museums & curation
- Graphic design & advertising
- Public art, murals & street art
- Visual Studies Framework
- Art & the environment
- Artists: processes & media
- Artists: theory & thinking
- Craft: textiles & ceramics
- Photography, film & animation
- Architecture & interior design
- Art as social commentary
- Product & vehicle design