5 Groundbreaking Projects By Dr. Fiona Whelan: Unveiling The Future Of Socially Engaged Art In 2025

Dr. Fiona Whelan is not just an artist; she is a pivotal force in the world of socially engaged art, using collaborative practice to address complex societal issues in Dublin and beyond. Her work, which seamlessly blends art, education, and social activism, is defined by long-term partnerships and a deep commitment to community dialogue and systemic change. As of late December 2025, her focus remains on challenging norms around masculinity and youth engagement, with a major conference scheduled early next year.

The depth and longevity of her projects, particularly with the Rialto Youth Project, position her as a leading figure whose influence extends from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) lecture halls to the heart of Dublin communities. This article dives into the core of her career and the five most significant projects that are shaping the discourse on contemporary Irish art and social action.

Dr. Fiona Whelan: Biography and Professional Profile

Dr. Fiona Whelan is a highly respected Dublin-based artist, writer, and academic whose career is dedicated to the intersection of art and social change. Her practice is fundamentally collaborative, focusing on the power of dialogue and shared experience to create public art that is both meaningful and impactful.

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• Role: Artist, Writer, Educator, and Programme Leader.
• Primary Affiliation: National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin.
• Academic Position: Programme Leader of the MA/MFA Art and Social Action (formerly MA Socially Engaged Art + Further Education) at NCAD.
• Education: Holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), underscoring her commitment to rigorous academic and practical research in the field.
• Core Focus: Exploring and responding to systemic inequalities through collaborative art practice, often in partnership with community groups and youth projects.
• Key Collaborators: Rialto Youth Project, Brokentalkers (theatre company), and various community and housing action groups.

Whelan's work is frequently cited for its innovative approach to community art, moving beyond traditional forms to create sustained, intergenerational dialogues that challenge power structures and foster restorative practices.

The 5 Most Significant Socially Engaged Art Projects by Fiona Whelan

Fiona Whelan's reputation is built on long-term, ethically driven projects that serve as models for socially engaged art practice worldwide. These five projects highlight her commitment to youth work, dialogue, and addressing complex issues like masculinity and housing inequality in the Dublin context.

1. What Does He Need? (2018–Present)

This is arguably the most recognized and long-running collaborative art project involving Dr. Fiona Whelan. Initiated in 2018, 'What Does He Need?' is a long-term, intergenerational project developed in partnership with the Rialto Youth Project and the award-winning theatre company Brokentalkers.

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The project is a deep dive into the contemporary crisis of masculinity, exploring what it means to be a man in a working-class community in Dublin. It uses dialogue, performance, and public engagement to create a space where young men and older men can articulate their needs, challenges, and hopes. The work has been exhibited and discussed at major institutions like the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and The LAB Gallery, establishing a significant public dialogue.

Key Entities: Rialto Youth Project, Brokentalkers, Intergenerational Dialogue, Masculinity, Dublin City Council Arts Office, The LAB Gallery.

2. Boys in the Making (A 2025 Conference and Project)

Building directly on the themes of 'What Does He Need?', the 'Boys in the Making' project is a highly anticipated component of Whelan's current work. The project culminates in a major conference scheduled for early 2025 (e.g., Friday, 14 February 2025), aiming to create a significant public dialogue about the current state of masculinity and male socialization.

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This initiative demonstrates Whelan's commitment to translating collaborative artistic research into public policy and educational discourse. The event provides a platform for practitioners, academics, and community members to discuss the systemic issues affecting young men, emphasizing the importance of creative engagement in shaping positive male identity.

Key Entities: Masculinity, Gender Studies, NCAD, Public Dialogue, Socialisation, Youth Work, Conference 2025.

3. The Natural History of Hope (2010–2014)

An earlier, foundational project, 'The Natural History of Hope' was a four-year intergenerational art project also conducted with the Rialto Youth Project. This work focused on the role of hope and resilience within the community, using art as a means to document and articulate the collective aspirations and challenges of the residents. This project is a prime example of her long-term, embedded practice, where the artist becomes a facilitator for community-led narratives, moving beyond the traditional role of an external observer.

Key Entities: Intergenerational Art, Hope, Resilience, Community Narratives, Common Ground, Rialto.

4. Multi-Story: Creative Engagement for Housing Change

In collaboration with artist Feidlim Cannon and the group Housing Action Now (HAN), 'Multi-Story' addresses the critical issue of housing in Dublin. This project exemplifies Whelan's ability to pivot her socially engaged practice toward immediate, pressing social justice concerns. By using creative engagement, the project seeks to challenge existing housing policies and empower tenants and community members to advocate for change. It is a direct application of her belief that art can be a powerful tool for social activism and political action.

Key Entities: Housing Action Now (HAN), Feidlim Cannon, Housing Crisis, Social Justice, Political Action, Creative Engagement.

5. Collaborative Practice with An Garda Síochána (2007–2010)

Dr. Whelan's work has also tackled high-tension areas, such as police-community relations. From 2007 to 2010, she collaborated with An Garda Síochána (the Irish police force) and young Black adults in Dublin. This project utilized dialogue and restorative practices to bridge divides and foster mutual understanding between these groups. Her involvement in such a sensitive area demonstrates her commitment to using art as a mechanism for conflict resolution and systemic change, highlighting the transformative potential of dialogue in public life.

Key Entities: An Garda Síochána, Police-Community Relations, Restorative Practices, Dialogue, Social Activism, Conflict Resolution.

The Impact of Socially Engaged Art and NCAD Leadership

Dr. Fiona Whelan’s professional life is deeply intertwined with her role as Programme Leader of the MA/MFA Art and Social Action at NCAD. Her academic position allows her to shape the next generation of practitioners, fostering a commitment to ethical and rigorous socially engaged art practice.

Whelan is a strong advocate for the professional development of practitioners, ensuring that the field of community art is respected and understood as a vital form of contemporary art. Her publications and lectures often explore the "contested and entangled history of community art, social activism and direct political action," positioning her work within a critical theoretical framework. By focusing on long-term, collaborative models, she challenges the "projectisation" of community work, advocating instead for sustained relationships that lead to profound, lasting change within communities like Rialto.

The continuous evolution of her work, evidenced by the upcoming 2025 conference, confirms Dr. Whelan's status as a leading voice in Irish art and social commentary. Her dedication to dialogue, youth empowerment, and addressing systemic issues ensures that her projects remain at the cutting edge of art that matters.