Backwater Artists Group are committed to supporting emerging artists through our Bursary and Post Graduate Programmes. We have been providing these awards since 1990 and since then, over 100 artists have benefited.
Each year we provide graduates of MTU Crawford College of Art and Design (formerly CIT Crawford College of Art & Design CCAD) with one Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary and one Moving Image Bursary. We also facilitate two Backwater Studios Graduate Residency Awards (aka ‘Paint Store Bursaries’) awarded by CCAD. In 2022 we will also award an additional 4 graduates with one year membership of our Backwater Artists Network. Membership of our network creates opportunities for artists to share resources, develop their practice through peer-to-peer critique sessions, exclusive events, exhibitions, mentoring, access to curators and workshops.
Bursary and Membership Application details below.
Backwater Artists Group Ciáran Langford Memorial Bursary Award
Ciarán Langford (1964-1997) was an artist and valued member of Backwater Artists Group during the 1990s. He played an active part on the steering committee in those formative years. In 1992 whilst the studios were based in Pine Street it was decided to award two bursaries each year to graduates from CCAD, the first award of that kind in Cork. On moving to our permanent home at Wandesford Quay in 1999 Backwater Artists Group commemorated Ciarán’s life and work by renaming the award The Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary.
The Bursary will be awarded to a graduate who demonstrates talent and ambition in their work practice.
What we provide:
- full use of a studio for 6 months (October 2022 to March 2023)
- full access to Backwater’s facilities including darkroom, digital suite, woodwork room, mitre press and underpinner
- a solo exhibition opportunity in our Studio 12 exhibition space or other venue to include technical support, artists fee and PR support. Please note: new work must be produced for this exhibition
- mentorship from a relevant art professional
- one year membership of our Backwater Artists Network
How to apply:
Please submit application form and supporting material by email or online file transfer (dropbox or wetransfer) to michelle@backwaterartists.ie by Friday 27th May 2022. Current application form:
BAG-CLM-Bursary-Studio-Application-Form-2022
Backwater Moving Image Bursary
The Bursary will be awarded to a graduate who demonstrates talent and ambition in their work practice. The Bursary is open to Fine Art graduates and graduates of the Creative Digital Media course who have a visual arts focus to their practice.
What we provide:
- full use of a studio for 6 months (Dates TBC)
- full exclusive access to a in-studio Desktop Mac with Adobe Creative Suite
- use of Backwater’s new video equipment (incl. 4K Sony HXR-NX80 camcorder)
- 4 days videography training from Cork Film Centre
- Post-graduate mentorship from Backwater staff, Padraig Trehy (MTU CCAD) and invited moving image specialists
- a solo exhibition opportunity in the Studio 12 exhibition/project space or a suitable online or film programme opportunity. This element will include technical support, artists fee and PR support. Please note: new work must be produced for this element.
- one year membership of our Backwater Artists Network
Membership of Backwater Artists Network
- Profile page on Backwater Artists website
- Opportunity to attend networking events
- Opportunity to attend monthly Network meetings
- Opportunity to participate in group crits
- Opportunity to participate in our Visiting Curator Programme
- Opportunity to submit proposals for our in house and off site exhibition programme
- Eligibility to apply for a dedicated Backwater Artist Network project studio residency (6 months) at Backwater Artist Group
- Opportunity to participatein our CPD Programme
What we ask in return:
As a reciprocal gesture (and to provide hands on experience) Backwater ask that the bursary recipient makes 3 x 15 minute promotional videos for the organisation to use in promoting its programme. These might include videos for Culture Night, Heritage Day and National Drawing Day.
How to apply:
Please fill out the application form and return it by email to michelle@backwaterartists.ie by Friday 27th May 2022. Please fill in all the fields in the form and pay attention to the guidelines provided. The application form is available on our website and through our office. Please email michelle@backwaterartists.ie for the application form.
Backwater Moving-Image BursaryApplication Form 2022
Membership of Backwater Artists Network
- profile page on Backwater Artists website
- opportunity to attend networking events
- opportunity to attend monthly Network meetings
- opportunity to participate in group crits
- opportunity to participate in our Visiting Curator Programme
- opportunity to submit proposals for our in house and off site exhibition programme
- eligibility to apply for a dedicated Backwater Artist Network project studio residency (6 months) at Backwater Artist Group
- opportunity to participate in our CPD Programme
How to apply:
How to apply
Download the submission form here as a PDF or in MS Word format. Alternatively email michelle@backwaterartists.ie to request a copy. Deadline Friday 27th May.
Please include an artist CV as well as a portfolio or examples of your artwork. These items can be sent as separate documents but should be listed in the form in the spaces provided.