Bursary Awards
Backwater Artists Group has supported emerging artists since 1990 through a dedicated Bursary Programme developed in partnership with MTU Crawford College of Art & Design.
Each year we provide studio access, mentorship and exhibition opportunities to graduating artists. To date, over 130 artists have benefited from these awards.
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 130 artists have benefited.Bursary Awards 2025
Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary
Billie Adele O’Regan
Artist Bio
Moving Image Bursary
Danny Foley
Artist Bio
Both awards provide:
- Six months studio access
- Mentorship from an invited arts professional
- A solo exhibition in Studio 12
- Technical support
- Artist fee
- PR support
Graduate Residency Awards 2025
Graduate Residency Award
Caoimhe Fitzpatrick
Artist Bio
Graduate Residency Award
Robert Lawton
Artist Bio
Awarded in partnership with MTU Crawford College of Art & Design, this nine-month residency provides studio space at Backwater Artists Group and access to MTU CCAD library facilities in exchange for part-time support within the MTU Materials Shop.
Backwater Artists Network Awards 2025
This award provides one year of Backwater Artists Network membership, including access to the Members Programme, exhibition opportunities and professional development supports.
Bursary Testimonials
I was honoured to have been awarded the Moving Image Bursary from Backwater Studios. This included use of a studio space as well as my own solo exhibition. The opportunity has helped me grow as an artist and has given me the inspiration and confidence to continue to work hard on my art process.
The Ciaran Langford Memorial Bursary graduate award has been a fantastic opportunity for me as a recent graduate. It has enabled me to get on my feet as an artist by giving me a studio space and a vibrant artistic community within which to develop my practice.
Deirdre Frost, Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary Recipient 2020-2021