About

About

Our vision is for visual artists to thrive, to enable them to connect in a meaningful way with the world, and to create a more inclusive, enriching and fulfilling society, where their unique contribution is valued and shared.

Located in Cork City Centre, Backwater Artists Group is one of the largest and longest-established artist-led initiatives in Ireland. Our mission is to support and advocate for visual artists, enabling them to thrive at all stages of their careers and to foster a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for the visual arts. 

We are committed to cultivating a supportive, artist-led environment which encourages and empowers visual artists, enabling them to further their ambitions and produce innovative, ambitious and high-quality work. 

We currently support 83 artists working in many different disciplines including painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, metalwork, photography, mixed-media installation and new media. Since our inception in 1999, we have provided support for over 500 artists. 

We have 28 purpose-built studio spaces, an exhibition/project space, a darkroom, a digital suite and a woodwork area. Our darkroom facility is designed not only to meet the needs of lens-based artists at Backwater Artists Group, but to also address the deficit of darkroom facilities in Cork City following the closure of other studios in recent years.  

The complex is centrally placed within a larger community of arts organisations, universities and galleries in the city, enabling a shared audience base and easy access to these services, for our members. These conditions lend themselves to creativity and create a vibrant hub where artists can thrive, where knowledge can be exchanged and skills shared. Through our Exhibition and Engagement programme, we provide an essential platform for showcasing contemporary art in Cork City, and we engage with audiences and communities to share artistic practice and give insights into how and why artists make work. Our Backwater Artists Network provides support and opportunities for artists working outside of the complex, to engage with our networks and avail of the support necessary for the development of a professional art practice. 

Our mission is to support and advocate for visual artists, allowing them to thrive, to foster a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for the visual arts within the community and to keep a site of artistic production at the heart of Cork City.

Our Values 

  1.  Artist-Led Ethos: Visual artists are at the very heart of Backwater Artists Group, we are proud to be an artist-led organisation and our primary focus will always be on support and advocacy for artists by artists. 
  2. Creative Exchange: At Backwater Artists Group, we believe in the potential of creative knowledge exchange. We are committed to the continued development and provision of a vibrant, inclusive and accessible creative space, where different ideas, knowledge and perspectives can be shared, explored and exchanged for the benefit of everyone involved.
  3. Partnership, Collaboration & Engagement: At Backwater Artists Group, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to develop an enthusiasm, understanding and appreciation for the arts. Our approach to public engagement, partnerships and collaboration to nurture a deep and meaningful connection between artists and the world – sparking curiosity, stimulating minds and inspiring the next generation of visual artists.
  4. Equality & Inclusivity: At Backwater Artists Group, we consider all people without bias. We embrace inclusivity, equality, diversity and fairness in all areas of our practice. Our approach is driven by a proactive desire to build a thriving community of working artists within our organisation, which is built on mutual respect, professionalism, openness, kindness, and support. 
  5. Leadership, Transparency & Integrity: At Backwater Artists Group, we acknowledge and embrace our leadership role within Cork’s visual arts environment and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, integrity and professionalism in all our activities.

Our Strategic Priorities 

  1. Artists: Nurturing, Connecting & Advocating for Visual Artists 
  2. Public Engagement: Partnership, Collaboration & Engagement
  3. Our Organisation: Embracing Our Leadership Role

The Team

Elaine Coakley

Studio Director

Email: elaine@backwaterartists.ie

Elize de Beer

Studio Manager 

Email: elize@backwaterartists.ie 

Sean Daly

Darkroom Administrator

Email: darkroom@backwaterartists.ie 

Board of Directors

Orla O’Byrne

Chairperson

Padraig Spillane

Company Secretary

Cassandra Eustace
Director
Fiona Kelly

Director

Laura Edgerton

Director

Dermot Harrington

Director

Company Information

Company No. 203784 Registered Charity No. Chy 11875

Our charitable purpose is

  • To foster and promote the visual arts in Cork City and the wider Munster region and to promote the study and improved understanding of the art generally.  
  • To establish, promote and operate workspace ,equipment and exhibition space for artists on the basis of services to members’ need and generally to promote an interest in the arts.  
  • To establish operate and maintain a centre for the creation and display of art and to provide work shop facilities for art work and anything ancillary thereto.  

The Company is currently working towards being compliant with the Charities Governance Code. The Company will be fully compliant by the end of 2023.

Child protection statement (updated 15 February, 2023): Direct Download Link.

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