Submissions Including Digital, Electronic, Time-Based, or Installation Elements

 

The Royal Ulster Academy accepts works in any medium, including works incorporating digital, electronic, time-based media, sound, or installation elements.

 

Works requiring electronic display or playback must be fully installable and operable within a gallery environment.

 

1. Eligible Works

 

Submissions may include:

  • video or moving image
  • digital artworks
  • sound works
  • screen-based works
  • interactive or electronic works
  • installations incorporating digital or electronic elements

 

2. Artist Responsibility for Equipment

 

Artists must provide all equipment required for the presentation of their work, including where relevant:

  • monitors or screens
  • projectors
  • media players or computers
  • headphones or speakers
  • mounting hardware or display supports
  • AV cables and power leads

 

All equipment must arrive ready for installation and operation.

 

3. Display and Installation Information

 

Artists must provide clear instructions describing how the work should be presented, including:

  • installed dimensions (height × width × depth)
  • display method (monitor, projection, screen, etc.)
  • running time or duration
  • looping requirements (continuous loop preferred)
  • audio requirements (headphones or speakers)
  • power requirements
  • any special installation instructions

 

4. Audio

 

Where works include sound:

  • Artists must specify how audio will be delivered.
  • Headphones are preferred to minimise sound bleed in the gallery.
  • Artists must supply all audio equipment required.

 

5. Technical Playback Requirements

 

Video or digital works must be supplied in a stable format suitable for continuous exhibition display.

 

Artists should specify:

  • file format (e.g. .mp4, .mov)
  • playback device (USB media player, computer, etc.)
  • running time
  • looping requirements
  • whether the work starts automatically on power-up

 

Works should be configured to run continuously without staff intervention where possible.

 

6. Safety Requirements

 

All electrical equipment must be PAT tested and compliant with gallery safety requirements prior to installation. Portable electrical equipment used in exhibitions is typically required to be PAT tested to ensure safety in public display environments. 

 

7. PAT Testing Support

 

A qualified technician will carry out PAT testing.

 

If your submission is accepted and includes electrical equipment, it may be delivered to Digital Arts Studios (DAS) for testing. Equipment will be PAT tested, labelled with a testing sticker, and returned ready for installation.

 

8. Exhibition Conditions

 

All works must be supplied in a condition suitable for handling, installation, and continuous gallery display, and must be practical to install and operate within the exhibition timeframe. The Royal Ulster Academy reserves the right to adjust installation details where necessary and to decline works that cannot be safely installed or reasonably accommodated within the exhibition space.