Darkroom & Digital Production Facility 

OPEN CALL FOR DARKROOM USERS 

Backwater Artist Group invite submissions for users of the darkroom and associated digital production facility. Full details of the terms and conditions of associate usage are provided below. The criteria for suitability are outlined below.  

This open call ends on 20th September, 5pm.

DOWNLOAD FORM HERE.

FACILITIES 

Darkroom 

• Heated darkroom space with access to temperature-controlled water for processing and washing  

• 24 Hour access (See Access & Booking for more information) 

• Access to two enlargers with ability to print 35mm and medium format 

• Chemicals used in the darkroom are disposed of by Backwater Artists Group 

• Capacity to tray process colour prints if required  

• 1 x 3-meter sink for print processing 

• Film Drying Unit 

• One materials storage cupboard per user  

Digital Production Facility 

• Access to hot desk in digital space  

• Access to full Adobe suite via 27″ iMac  

• Epson V750 Scanner with capacity to scan all film formats from 35mm to 8×10 

Darkroom Membership will also give you access to Backwater Artists Network. To find out more about Backwater Artists Network please visit our website. 

https://backwaterartists.ie/facilities-memberships/backwater-artists-network/ 

COSTS 

There will be a charge of €45 per month. Associate users will provide their own materials and chemicals. Storage and disposal of chemicals will be included.  

ACCESS & BOOKING 

The darkroom will be accessed by approximately 9 users per year not including course attendees. In addition to the three associate users the facility will also be accessible to all studio members (when relevant, occasional). 

All darkroom usage will be booked using a shared calendar. Each user will have a set quota of time per month, which must be entered into the timetable one week in advance or earlier. Regular slots are advisable.  Associate users will be granted 12 hours per week (2 x 6-hour slots). Access to the darkroom is dependent upon induction; proof of the ability to work safely and independently and under the condition that failure to comply with safety standards may result in suspension or termination of access.
 

DARKROOM USER CRITERIA 

Backwater Artists Group welcomes submissions from photographers and lens-based artists who have need of a darkroom facility and/or a digital production facility. Submissions will be assessed and scored by the BAG Darkroom Sub-Committee, on the following criteria:  

25% darkroom experience  

25% suitability of art/photography practice 

35% Supporting documentation / cv / portfolio material 

15% adherence to submission guidelines 

HOW TO SUBMIT 

Fill in the attached form ( Download here or request form by email). The submission form is structured as follows. Please use text boxes provided: 

• Contact name 

• Contact email address 

• Contact phone number 

• Website/social media/blog links (if any) 

• Artist Biography (max 200 words).  

• Artist Statement (max 300 words).  Optional 

• Outline how you propose to use the facilities (max 100 words). 

• List of supporting images / videos including title, date, medium, dimensions (if relevant and/or known). Supporting images / video: Images (max 10 images) to be of adequate resolution (min 1MB – max 2MB). Videos where applicable can be included as video links (e.g. Vimeo/Youtube) or sent via online file transfer (Wetransfer). 

• List of supporting documents / cv / portfolio material 

• It is recommended that each submission (excluding videos) be submitted as a single PDF document (max 20MB). 

Please submit proposals by email or online file transfer (wetranfer) to darkroom@backwaterartists.ie. 

If you have any queries about the submission process, please contact Darkroom Administrator Sean Daly by email on darkroom@backwaterartists.ie. 

Backwater Artists Group, Wandesford Quay, Cork.  

T: (021) 4961002, E: darkroom@backwaterartists.ie, W: www.backwaterartists.ie