Organizer Information
The opportunity is hosted by Fire Station Artists' Studios, a long-established contemporary art institution providing professional live/work studios, production facilities, and curatorial support for visual artists in Dublin city centre. For over 30 years, FSAS has played a critical role in sustaining artistic practice in Ireland by offering subsidised studio spaces supported by national and municipal funding bodies.
The organisation is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin City Council, enabling it to maintain accessible studio infrastructure for professional artists at a time when urban housing and studio affordability present significant challenges. FSAS is widely recognised as a key pillar of Ireland’s visual arts ecosystem, supporting both emerging and established practitioners through structured residency and studio award programmes.
Title & Description
FSAS Residential Awards 2026–27 (Including Mason Hayes & Curran Bursary)
The FSAS Residential Awards 2026–27 provide professional visual artists with the opportunity to live and work in dedicated studio spaces in Dublin for a period of one year. The programme is designed to support sustained artistic development by offering subsidised live/work environments, access to production facilities, and curatorial support within an established artistic community.
The residency framework enables artists to focus on research, experimentation, and production across contemporary visual art practices, including sculpture, digital media, installation, and interdisciplinary approaches. The programme prioritises artistic autonomy while ensuring access to shared resources and professional infrastructure.
A key component of this cycle is the introduction of the Mason Hayes & Curran Bursary at Fire Station Artists’ Studios, a multi-annual initiative supporting one fully funded residency per year for three years. This bursary addresses systemic challenges faced by emerging artists, particularly in relation to housing and studio access in Dublin.
The residency is structured to provide:
- Long-term studio-based practice development
- Reduced-cost or fully funded live/work accommodation
- Access to shared production facilities and technical resources
- Curatorial engagement and professional support
Artists are encouraged to use the residency period for in-depth exploration of their practice without the pressure of immediate production outcomes.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Contemporary Art
- Sculpture
- Installation
- Digital Media Art
- Mixed Media
- Painting
- Drawing
- Printmaking
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Studio Practice
- Research-Based Art
Eligibility
- Professional visual artists actively producing contemporary work
- Applicants must have a strong exhibition or professional practice profile
- Open to Ireland-based artists and international artists with a demonstrable connection to Ireland
- Not eligible: artists currently enrolled in BA, MA, or PhD programmes (full-time or part-time)
- Not eligible: artists who have previously received an FSAS residency award
The bursary component additionally prioritises artists from diverse and underrepresented communities, particularly those facing structural barriers to housing and studio access in Dublin.
Program Benefits & Awards
- One-year live/work studio residency in Dublin
- Subsidised rent (€452–€667/month including utilities) OR fully funded bursary place
- Utilities, including internet, waste disposal, parking, and essential services
- Access to sculpture and digital media production facilities
- Curatorial guidance and professional support
- Fully furnished studio accommodation
- Opportunity to develop long-term artistic projects within an established studio environment
The Mason Hayes & Curran Bursary provides a fully rent-free residency for one artist per year.
Application Fee
Monthly rent ranges from €452 to €667, depending on studio size. This includes bills, utilities, and basic services.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a single PDF including:
- Cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining current work and relevance of the residency
- Comprehensive CV
- 3 images or documentation samples of recent work (properly formatted and accessible)
For bursary consideration, applicants must also include:
- A statement (up to 250 words) explaining their interest in being considered for the bursary
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email: apply@firestation.ie
Subject line: FSAS 2025 Residential Award
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 21 April 2026
- Residency Duration: 1 year
- Start Periods: July 2026 – February 2027 (varies by studio allocation)
- Final End Date: January 2028 (latest possible completion)
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Additional Details
- Applicants may indicate preferred studios, but final allocation is determined by the selection panel
- Studio sharing is assessed case-by-case; partners have no residential rights
- Pets are not permitted
- Children are not allowed on the premises for health and safety reasons
- Studios are fully furnished; additional furniture requires prior approval
- Late applications will not be considered, and feedback is not provided due to high volume
The FSAS Residential Awards combine long-term infrastructural support with professional curatorial engagement, making them one of Ireland’s most established studio residency systems for contemporary visual artists.