A site that supports the arts inclusively and effectively
What we did
- Website Strategy
- UX Design
- Content Strategy
- Website Design and Development
- Accessible to WCAG 2.2 Level AA
Dublin City Arts Office, based at The LAB, is a specialist service that represents a strategic investment in the arts by Dublin City Council. We designed and developed a new website that clearly reflects its role in supporting artists and public engagement.
The Challenge
Dublin City Arts Office needed to enhance visibility, grow awareness, and encourage engagement with the city’s vibrant arts community. Its goals included streamlining processes for artists and the public by providing easy access to self-help resources, funding and programme information. The site needed to reflect the fresh, dynamic brand of the Arts Office and showcase the impact and outcomes of its work in alignment with the city’s Arts Plan.
The Strategy
We began with a co-creation workshop with the client's team to define clear goals for the website that supported user needs and organisation's goals. The strategy also provided clarity for the content and structure of the website. From there, we created a design that combines clarity and accessibility with character, putting users first while highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of Dublin’s cultural activity.
The layout is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate opportunities, residencies, and public programmes. Visuals and typography were carefully selected to reflect the city's creative identity, while ensuring the interface remained accessible to all.
Universal Design
The website’s design prioritises accessibility, going beyond WCAG compliance and incorporating best practices to ensure everyone can access this Public Service. It offers clear navigation and an intuitive layout, making it easy for users to find information about programmes, projects and funding. The site is fully responsive, ensuring seamless functionality across desktop and mobile devices. Accessibility features, including optimised contrast ratios, alt text and keyboard navigation, make the site inclusive for all users, fostering engagement across diverse audiences.
Easy to maintain
The website is powered by Craft CMS, offering flexibility, scalability and user-friendly content management. It follows best practices for coding and eco-conscious web design, optimising performance and reducing its carbon footprint. Craft CMS allows the Arts Office team to easily update the site, ensuring the latest information on programmes, funding and support is always available.
Outcome
The new Dublin City Council Arts Office website offers a more intuitive, accessible platform for citizens seeking information on grants and artist support. Available in both English and Irish, it’s optimised for fast loading and compatible with all devices, ensuring easy access for all. Improved search functionality simplifies navigation, helping users quickly locate resources. The design also enables faster content updates, ensuring up-to-date information. This user-centred approach underscores the council’s commitment to supporting the arts community inclusively and effectively.
Result
- Meets Web Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.1 Level AA
- Spider Awards Finalist 'Universal Design' 2025
- Easy to use Craft CMS ensure content is always up to date
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