Call for Artists for Dún Laoghaire Baths 2025-26

Deadline for all applications is 1pm, Thursday 04 September 2025.

Gallery

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office are pleased to announce new residencies in dlr Baths for 2025-26

dlr Baths Artist Studios

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office have five artist studies opportunities to award for 1 year.

Two studios will be available starting October 2025
One studio will be available starting March 2026
Two Studios will be available starting October 2026

These studios are open to visual artists working in any medium, but your way of working must suit the space.

Each selected artist will get:

Exclusive use of a studio at Dún Laoghaire Baths
A materials budget of €6,500

This initiative is part of the Council’s Arts Development Plan, which aims to tackle the lack of affordable studio space which is a major barrier for artists in the area. The goal is to help local visual artists grow their careers.

An online briefing session about this opportunity will take place on 11am, Thursday 21 August. To book a place for this briefing session please email arts@dlrcoco.ie with the subject heading BAS25.

Please find below the link to read more and apply:

https://dlrcoco.submit.com/show/325

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) can be found at the bottom of this page.

If you have any questions please email arts@dlrcoco.ie and allow 3 working days for a reply.

Deadline to submit queries: August 6 to August 29, 2025

dlr Baths Visual Artist Studios – FAQ

This questions below detail frequently asked questions and our replies in response to the yearlong artist workspace opportunities in Dún Laoghaire Baths. It is hoped that by sharing these questions applicants will be better informed to make a submission through our online portal.

A PDF version of the FAQ can be found at the bottom of this page.

Can I rent a room for a community group/class/workshop?

No, artist workspaces are awarded through an open call and cannot be rented.

My art practice is not based in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and I don’t live in the County, can I apply?

No, this opportunity is only available to artists who live, or practice their art in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Can the public look into the studios?

The Studios are your private workspaces and are partitioned off from the public area. The public may be invited into your space through organized public events with the agreement and support of the artists working onsite. All windows have blinds.

How are the studios allocated between the artists?

The Arts Office will allocate each studio to successful applicants.

What hours can artists access the studios?

Artists will have 24-hour access to their workspace.

If I get offered a studio, can I defer the start date?

No, you must be available to take up the studio during the period selection at the time of application.

Where can artists dispose of waste?

There is onsite waste disposal.

Is there an exhibition space?

No, there is no public exhibition space for studio artists.

Is there a restriction on the type of materials used in the studios?

The studios are domestic in scale. It has single phase electricity and no mechanical ventilation. The building is shared use with the Happy Out café. The public have access to the bathrooms on the lower ground floor. Attention needs to be given to significant noise transfer and the safe use of materials and equipment; for the impact on staff, visitors and fellow artists working on site. The appropriateness of materials, noise levels and working methods may need to be assessed by the Council. Material use should be detailed in your application.

Do you have to use the studio for the full duration? Can you go away for a few weeks?

You have solo use of the studio for the full duration of your agreed term. Artists can take breaks from the studio, but you should be available and plan to make good use of this valuable studio resource during the agreed term. The agreed term cannot be extended to facilitate breaks.

Is there 3 phase electrics?

No, only single- phase.

Will the outside area be available to work?

No, the space available is limited to the building interior.

Do the artist pay for utilities?

No, utilities are paid for by the Council as part of our support for artists.

Can artists bring additional storage, furniture, and equipment on site?

Yes, you can bring in additional storage, furniture, and equipment for use in your assigned studio. There are no additional storage spaces on site. All individual studios are equipped with a large sink, lockable storage, lights, power sockets and wifi. A worktable and chair are also provided.

Is there security on site? If so, what times will they be there?

There are no security staff on site, however Happy Out café operates on the top floor of the building. The cafe hours change with the seasons, they are currently open 7am – 5pm, Sunday – Wednesday, and 7am – 10pm, Thursday – Saturday.

Is there a cleaner for the group areas (artists’ tea station and common area) or are all the artists responsible for keeping that clean?

Artists are responsible for keeping their shared space clean. No cleaning will be provided for artist workspaces, tea station or common area, only public areas and toilets.

Will my work, materials and equipment be insured by the Council?

No, your work, materials and equipment will not be insured by the Council. You will be required to have Public Liability Insurance with cover of €6.5 million with a specific indemnity to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. If necessary, the artist will also be required to have Employer’s Liability Insurance.

Can I drive up to the building to delivery work?

Yes, deliveries of materials and work is permissible. Access is via the public car park on Windsor Terrace.

Vehicles must be moved after the delivery has been made.

Is free parking available at the studios?

No, there is a pay and display public carpark available nearby at Windsor Terrace.

Can the studio be darkened?

Yes, there are blinds on all windows and doors.

Can the artist hang items/artworks on the walls?

Yes, within the workshop space provided only.

Do artists need to be on site 5 days a week?

No, artists should plan to make good use of the space, but it is understood that practicing professional artists will have other responsibilities and projects to manage at the same time.

Is this opportunity open to other artists such as writers and performers?

No, this opportunity is only available to visual artists.