Bursary & Post Graduate Programme
Backwater Artists Group are committed to supporting emerging artists through our Bursary and Post Graduate Programmes. Each year we provide graduates of MTU Crawford College of Art & Design 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 MTU Crawford College of Art & Design. We have been providing these awards since 1990 and over 100 artists have benefited.
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 MTU 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.
What we provide:
- full use of a studio for 6 months from October to March
- 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
How to apply:
Applications are open 6 weeks before the deadline, for more information contact elize@backwaterartists.ie
Backwater Moving Image Bursary
In collaboration with Cork Film Centre.
Beginning in 2021 Backwater Artists Group will award one 6 month Moving Bursary to the graduating 4th year class of MTU Crawford College of Art & Design (CCAD).
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.
How to apply:
Applications are open 6 weeks before the deadline, for more information contact elize@backwaterartists.ie
Backwater Studios Graduate Residency Award
This Graduate Residency Award Scheme provides an opportunity for graduating students to continue and advance their practice, educational opportunities and/or career options. This residency, awarded by the MTU Crawford College of Art & Design (CCAD), provides the successful applicant with studio space in Backwater Artists Group Studios for 9 months and access to MTU CCAD library in return for assistance in MTU CCAD Materials Shop (5 hours per week).
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to operate independently. They may be required to assume a level of responsibility in the operation of the shop so should have initiative, a responsible attitude and good communication skills.
The selection is based on a written proposal (outlining how the residency would be used to advance the candidates practice, educational and/or career options) and proven experience and level of competence in given discipline. The selection panel comprises lecturing and technical staff of MTU CCAD.
What’s provided:
- Full use of a studio for 6 months from October to March
- Full access to Backwater’s facilities including darkroom, digital suite, woodwork room, equipment hire, exhibition/project space
How to apply:
Please contact MTU CCAD admin office by email at ccad.enquiries@cit.ie for the application form and further details. Please put ‘Graduate Residency Application’ in subject line. The deadline is usually in late May just before the MTU CCAD degree show.
Backwater Artists Network Award
We award one year membership of our Backwater Artists Network to four graduates of MTU Crawford College of Art & Design. Graduates have full access to all our network supports including access to curators, professional development, exhibition opportunities and promotional support. Please visit the Backwater Artists Network page for more information on what’s available.
List of previous/current CLM Bursary recipients:
2023: Andrea Newman Photography/Mixed Media, Oct’23 – March’24
2022: Helen Cantwell Painting/Mixed Media, Oct’22 – March’23
2021: Bríanna Ní Léannacháin, Sculpture/Mixed Media, Jan’22 – Jun’22
2020: Deirdre Frost, Painting/Mixed Media, May’21 – Nov ’21
2019: Padraic Barrett, Painting/Mixed Media, Oct’19 – Jun’20
2018: Sarah Long, Painting, Oct’18 – Mar’19
2017: Klaudia Olszynska, Sculpture, Sept’17 – Feb’18
2016: Linda Young, Painted/Mixed Media, Sept ’16 – Feb’17, Rachel Mankze, Sculpture, Sept ’16 – Feb’17, Lean Corbett, Sculpture, Sept ’16 – Feb’17
2015: Cillian Moynihan, Painting, Sept’15 – Feb’16, Lynn Marie Dennehy, Sculpture, Sept’15 – Mar’16
2014: Roisin Foley, Sculpture, Sept’14 – Feb’15, Deirdre Hurley, Painting, Sept’14 – Feb’15
2013: Susan O’Leary, Painting, Nov’13 – Feb’14, Cliodhna O’Riordan, Sculpture, Sept’13 – Feb’14, KateŘina HlavÁČovÁ, Painting, Sept’13 – Oct’13
2012: Cassandra Eustace, Painting, Sept’12 – Feb’13, Sophie Behal, Sculpture, Sept’12 – Feb’13
2011: Richard Forrest, Sculpture, Sept’11 – Jan’12, Helen Lynch, Painting, Sept’11 – Jan’12
2010: Feargal Cunningham, Sculpture, Sept’10 – Feb’11, Molly Anna King, Painting, Dec’10 – May’11
2009: William Lawlor, Sculpture, Sept’09 – Feb’10, Alannah Byrne, Painting, Sept’09 – Feb’10
2008: Tanya O’Keeffe, Sculpture, Sept’08 – Feb’09, Eveleen Murphy, Painting, Sept’08 – Feb’09
2007: Brían Crotty, Sculpture, Sept’07 – Feb’08, Niamh Davis, Painting, Sept’07 – Feb’08
2006: Aisling Smyth, Sculpture, Sept’06 – Feb’07, Tessa Power, Painting, Oct’06 – Mar’07
2005: Stephanie Hough, Sculpture, Sept’05 – Feb’06, Wendie Young, Painting, Sept’05 – Feb’06
2004: Vivienne Griffin, Sculpture, Sept’04 – Feb’05, Aidan Crotty, Painting, Sept’04 – Feb’05
2003: Síle O’Brien, Painting, Sept’03 – Feb’04
2002: Phillipa Kennedy, Painting, Sept’02 – Feb’03, Lorraine Neeson, Sculpture, Sept ’02 – Feb’03
2001: Brendan Butler, Painting, Sept ’01 – Feb’02, Niamh Hurley, Sculpture, Sept ’01 – Feb’02
2000: Tamzyn De Rohan-Truba, Sculpture, Aug’01, Cliff Dolliver, Painting, Mar’01 – Aug’01, Hazel Forrester, Sculpture, Mar’01 – July’01
1999: Rosemary Guiney, Painting, Sept ’99 – Feb’00: Sarah Kelleher, Sculpture, Sept ’99 – Feb’00
List of previous/current Moving Image Bursary recipients:
2023: Mary O’Leary, Moving Image, Oct’23- Mar’24
2022: Myfanwy Frost Jones, Moving Image, Oct’22- Mar’23
2021: Rachel Daly, Moving Image, Oct’21- Mar’22
List of previous/current Graduate Residency recipients:
2022: Ashling Walsh, Painting/Mixed Media, Oct’22 – June’23, Róisín Moloney, Painting/Mixed Media, Oct’22 – June’23
2021: Siobhán O’Connor, Painting, Nov’21 – Apr’22, Nicola Sheehan, Print/Mixed Media, Nov’21 – Apr’22
2020: Lily O’Shea, Mixed Media, May’21 – Sept’21, Margaret Phelan, Painting, May’21 – Sept’21
2019: Luke Hickey, Painting, Oct’19 – Jun’20, Sinead Barrett, Painting, Oct’19 – Jun’20
2018: Katrina Tracuma, Painting, Mar’19 – Jun’19, Eamon Casey, Painting, Oct’18 – Jun’ 19, Anne May Tabb, Painting, Oct’18 – Feb’ 19
2017: Gerard O’Callaghan, Painting, Oct’16 – Jun’17, Elaine Quigley Ahern, Painting, Oct’16 – Jun’17
2016: Pauline Gibbons , Painting, Oct’15 – Jun’16, Killian Dwyer, Painting, Oct’15 – Jun’16
2015: Femke Vandenberg, Painting, Oct’14 – May’15, Billy Dante , Painting, Oct’14 – Jun’15
2014: Helen O’Donovan, Painting, Oct’13 – Jun’14, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Painting, Oct’13 – Jun’14
2013: Tracy Fitzgerald, Painting, Oct’12 – Jun’13, John Kent, Painting, Oct’12 – Jun’13
2012: Ray Llewellyn, Painting, Oct’11 – Jun’12, Lana Shucks, Painting, Oct’11 – Jun’12
2011: Brigid Delahunty, Painting, Oct’10 – Jun’11, Laura Healy , Painting, Oct’10 – Jun’1
2010: Elizabeth O’Callaghan, Painting, Oct’09 – Jun’10, Aoife O’Brien , Painting, Oct’09 – Jun’10
2009: Amanda Rice, Painting, Oct’08 – June’09, Elayne O’Connor, Painting, Oct’08 – June’09
2008: Donal Moloney, Painting, Oct’07 – June’08, Eva Maher, Painting, Oct’07 – June’08
2007: Mark Whelan, Painting, Oct’06 – June’07, Siobhán Grace, Painting, Oct’06 – June’07
2006: Sharon McCarthy, Painting, Oct’05 – June’06, Janet Ellis, Painting, Oct’05 – June’06
2005: Susan Holland, Painting, Oct’04 – June’05, Emma Sweeney, Painting, Oct’04 – June’05
2004: Helena Tobin, Painting, Oct’03 – June’04, Eamonn O’Callaghan, Painting, Oct’03 – June’04
2003: Kieran Moore, Painting, Oct’02 – June’03, Lynda Loughnane, Painting, Oct’02 – June’03
2002: Brian Harte, Painting, Oct’01 – June’02, Colm Rooney, Painting, Oct’01 – June’02