Awards

Are artists from abroad eligible for the award?

Yes. The Fire Station equally encourages national and international residencies. We are particularly interested in building links with professional artists and organisations abroad that engage in context based, participatory arts practice, and who are pushing the boundaries in terms of innovative and meaningful engagement with communities.

It is the responsibility of International artists to secure their own visas/ work permits. The Fire Station will assist the artist with any documentation necessary for visa purposes.

What is expected of me during the residency?

During the residency you will be expected to design and implement an innovative project over a one year period, that engages with groups of people and /or individuals in an urban context. The artist is free to organize their own hours around this ( more than likely part time) and pursue any other work, commissions, exhibitions they may wish to undertake during your residency. Ongoing support will be provided to you by the Fire Station Development Manager :Liz Burns, in particular with regard to developing good links with local communities, useful contacts, other artists and arts organizations.

How do I get paid?

The artist will be paid the €6,500 award in installments at beginning, middle and on completion of residency. The artist is free to take on other paid work, commissions etc during their residency.

Is there an arts materials budget?

The award does not include an art materials budget. However, it is common for the community groups working with the artist to fund the art materials. It is the responsibility of the artist to negotiate this with community groups or source additional funding themselves. Bear in mind the artist will have access to free digital media facilities and equipment in the Fire Station, as well as free internet, scanning, printing, photocopying.

Does the residency project have to be visually arts based?

Yes, however visual artists work with a variety of materials and media, including video, light, sound, multimedia , performance and so on. Specify in your application the materials and processes that you use.

What do you mean by 'community'?

The term ‘community’ is implied in its broadest sense. It can encompass geographical communities, communities of shared interests, issue based communities etc. The artist is free to explore this during their residency.

Could you tell me a bit more about the North east Inner City?

Located close to Dublin Docklands, the North East Inner City is an area steeped in history with a long tradition of community activism. Originally know as Monto’ , it was one of the largest red light districts in Europe by the late 1900’s , as immortalised by James Joyce in his infamous Nighttown chapter in ‘Ulysses’. Traditionally sustained by the Docklands economy, the area experienced massive unemployment with the introduction of containerization in Docklands in the 1970’s. By the 1980’s the area had become one of the most disadvantaged in the city, experiencing massive unemployment, inadequate housing and serious drug misuse.

Over the last 5 years the area is undergoing massive regeneration, with improved facilities and social housing. Many new immigrant communities are also settling in the area. Community activism is very strong in the area, with grass roots community organizations such as ICON ( Inner City Organisation Network) and DICP ( Dublin Inner City Partnership) and North Inner City Drugs Task Force working to improve social conditions in an area still severely disadvantaged.

For further information on these organisations and useful contacts please contact liz Burns in Fire Station.

Do I need to confine myself to a particular geographical area?

We ask that the project takes place in an urban context. This may involve working in the immediate area where the Fire Station is located ( ie North East Inner City) or it can incorporate the wider Dublin Area. We also strongly encourage the artist to take advantage of the good links that already exist between the Fire Station and local community projects in the North Inner City.

Does an artist need experience of engaging with communities to apply?

The Fire Station is seeking artists whose work in a community context is an integral part of their arts practice. We are seeking artists who are pushing the boundaries and exploring new territories in participatory arts practice, and who feel their arts practice will be significantly developed by winning this award.

Previous award winners have all had good experience of engaging with communities. However in cases where an artist has limited experience of working in community contexts, the quality of proposal, its uniqueness as well as their CV will be taken into consideration.

Can you give me a more detailed description of the studio and workshop space?

The Studio is self contained, with compact kitchen area, open plan design, and separate
WC and shower, with storage area.All studios have phone lines which may be turned on by arrangement with your telephone company. Light and Heat is not charged.

Studios can be adapted for artists with disabilities. The application asks that you
specify any specific requirements you may have. The Workshop space is located in separate sculptural workshop which is open plan consisting of four partitioned bays (approx 10ft by 20 ft).

Is artist entitled to any other facilities?

The artist has free access to our digital media facilities , including comuters, video and stills cameras, video editing, internet, scanners, printers, photocopying.

All artists can avail of kiln and metalwork/ welding facilities by prior arrangement with our Sculpture workshop manager.

All artists in residence have a free parking space and 24 hr security.

Will you consider applications from more than one artist?
Yes, but please be aware that there is only one studio and workspace available and the studio is an open plan design.

What supporting documentation do you accept?

We accept photos, catalogues, slides, CD’s, DVD’s, audio tapes, VHS video (please cue a pre selected piece, maximum length 5 minutes).

Please specify how you want supporting documentation returned. If by post, please include a separate envelope with sufficient postage or alternatively the artist can arrange to pick up material in the Fire Station.

Can you give me more information on previous Fire Station art projects?

For further information on other Fire Station projects including Consume, Inner Art, The Memorial, City Fabric, and Dedal(us) , go to Publications

I have a specific issue I’d like to raise with you.

You can telephone Liz Burns on 01 8069012 or email her using our contact form. Postal enquiries to Liz Burns, AWARD, Fire Station Artists Studios, 9-11 Lwr. Buckingham Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. Email is in general the best way to get a specific or complex enquiry dealt with.