Parenting Artist Residency

Parenting Artist Residency, 2024

Dates

  • March 25th – April 7th, 2024

Program Description

Building on Satellite, the very successful pilot residency run in collaboration with The Mothership Project, Cow House Studios, with the support of Wexford County Council is pleased to offer an annual two-week residency designed specifically for parenting artists. The Parenting Artist Residency makes it possible for awarded artists to dedicate time to their work by offering all of the support necessary to do so. We recognize many artists discover they must drop or drastically curtail their creative practice while having children, leaving a cultural gap. This residency will support parenting artists at this key stage in their lives, assisting them to have productive and rewarding careers as they rear their families.

Overview

The Parenting Artist Residency is designed specifically for parenting artists with dependants between two and twelve years old; children and partners are welcome. Through an open call, this residency will make it possible for participating artists to develop new work, progress existing projects, or get back to their practice after taking time out to have children. This residency will offer childcare, a stipend of €500, accommodation, and meals.

This residency aims to provide a platform that is notably missing from existing offerings; fostering solidarity among artists who often as a result of having a family end up isolated and alienated from existing art structures.

Contact

For any further questions about the Parenting Artist Residency, please contact Frank Abruzzese, Co-Director, Cow House Studios.

Spring Residency Details

Selected artists and their families will come to Rathnure and reside at Cow House Studios for a period of 2 weeks in spring, 2024 from March 25th – April 7th. While here, they will be immersed in the supportive and invigorating environment at Cow House Studios. Childcare is provided from 9 am until 5 pm on weekdays, allowing artists to focus fully on their work.

Eligibility Criteria

  • This opportunity is open to visual artists.
  • Applicant’s children must be between two and twelve years old.
  • Applicants must live within a two hour time difference of Ireland.

Application Guidelines

Submit the following documents in PDF format to info@cowhousestudios.com by Sunday, January 7th, 2024.

  1. Completed application form
  2. Recent CV/resume
  3. A portfolio (only one pdf file 10MB maximum). Although there is no maximum number of images that will be accepted, we advise applicants to only submit relevant materials to reduce the size of email submissions. The images should include captions or short descriptions.

You will be contacted by a Cow House Studios representative to confirm receipt of your application within five working days. Successful applicants will be contacted by Monday, February 5th, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for this residency?

  • This opportunity is open to visual artists.
  • Applicant’s children must be between two and twelve years old.
  • Applicants must live within a two hour time difference of Ireland.

How long is the residency?
The Parenting Artist Residency is two weeks long.

Do you offer residencies at other times of the year?
Yes, we offer several residency opportunities each year. You can find a list of current opportunities here.

How many artists are awarded this residency?
Two or three artists will be awarded this residency annually.

How do I apply?
Submit the following documents in PDF format to info@cowhousestudios.com by Sunday, January 7th, 2024.

  1. Completed application form
  2. Recent CV/resume
  3. A portfolio (only one pdf file 10MB maximum). Although there is no maximum number of images that will be accepted, we advise applicants to only submit relevant materials to reduce the size of email submissions. The images should include captions or short descriptions.

You will be contacted by a Cow House Studios representative to confirm receipt of your application within five working days. Successful applicants will be contacted by Monday, February 5th, 2024.

What facilities are provided in the studio?
The 343 m2 (3700 ft2) open plan studio contains a darkroom, computer lab, and lounge. The studios were designed for flexibility of use, the Cow House contains 4 individual spaces, and a shared open studio floor for larger group projects and alternative working methods.

The well-equipped black & white darkroom is capable of making prints up to 50 x 60 cm (20 x 24 in), and our computer lab consists of Apple Macintosh computers, a high-resolution film scanner, an Epson 9500 printer, Adobe Creative Suite, and wireless broadband. We have three Fuji X-T4 Digital cameras with a variety of lenses, a selection of tripods, studio lights, and seamless background papers. Artists may also use our various manual and electric hand tools including a table saw, miter saw, router, wood plane, circular saw, jigsaw a variety of sanders, and power drills in addition to a selection of clamps fasteners and glues.

Supplies provided at the studio include a selection of papers including, newsprint, 100, 150 & 300-gram cartridge paper, 300-gram watercolor paper, and a selection of colored A3 pastel papers. We also have 10 oz (339 gram) unprimed cotton canvas that measures 183cm wide. The studio is stocked with student grade watercolor & gouache by Reeves, a variety of water-based inks by Winsor Newton, Daler Rowney System 3 acrylic paint, student grade oil paint by Winsor Newton, solvent, gesso, and a variety of mediums.

Students and artists alike may avail of disposable paint palettes, palette knives, brushes, and oil dippers. Additionally, the studio is also regularly stocked to ensure we have plenty of darkroom chemicals, ink for the printers, graphite pencils, charcoal, color pencils, watercolor pencils, oil pastels, chalk pastels, markers, erasers, scissors, sharp Exacto knives, cutting mats, masking tape, drawing clips, fixative and PVA glue, A3 & A1 size drawing boards and easels.

Should I bring any materials with me?
Cow House Studios have a variety of materials available for use, however, if there are particular materials you are accustomed to using its best to bring them with you.

How do I get to the Cow House?
If you do not have a car, or are traveling from abroad, you will be collected from the bus stop in Enniscorthy. Artists must arrive in Enniscorthy by 3 pm on the first day of the program. For detailed bus schedules please visit Wexford Bus or Bus Eireann.

Where is the closest town/village?
Cow House Studios is located in rural farmland. The closest village, Rathnure is three miles away. The nearest town, Enniscorthy is twelve miles away.

Do you provide transport?
There are occasional trips into town, and we also have six bicycles that can be used locally, however, if you would like to experience the Irish countryside, frequent nearby towns, and villages, or get to the seaside you will need your own vehicle that can be rented at Dublin Airport.

 

Where can I buy art materials?
Basic art materials may be purchased in Enniscorthy, New Ross, and Wexford. If you need more than what is provided we recommend that you order additional or special materials online that can be delivered directly to the studio.
Building or hardware supplies can be ordered and delivered by a local builder’s supply.

Is there a stipend?
A stipend of €500 euros is awarded to each artist.

What is provided during the residency?

  • three delicious and healthy meals daily for the artists and their families
  • a private room and studio for each artist
  • a private or shared room for their child/children
  • use of studio tools, facilities, and materials
  • €500 stipend for each artist

Where will I stay with my family?
Artists and their families live in the Barn; our cozy accommodation, during their stay at Cow House Studios. Each family will have one or two bedrooms depending on the needs and size of their family. Each room has 2 bunks beds (4 single beds) which can be pushed together to make a larger sleeping area. Our accommodation is adjacent to the studio and childcare is provided on-site.

Cow House Studios is located on the O’Gorman family farm. Rosie’s parents, Michael and Mary, live next door and Michael still works the land. There is a family atmosphere at the Cow House, we have three very friendly dogs, as well as two cats, a horse, and a peacock, and we occasionally have family and friends visiting.

How is childcare provided?
Childcare is provided on-site in our accommodation building, the Barn. A qualified childminder will be at Cow House from 9 am until 5 pm from Monday to Friday of each week. Artists join their children for lunch.

What is provided for the children?
The atmosphere at Cow House is family-friendly. Along with many areas outside to explore and play, we provide a playroom with toys suitable for varying ages. For younger children and babies we can provide a high chair, a changing table, and a travel cot.

What about food?
Delicious home-cooked meals are provided at dinner. Breakfast and lunch are self-service. We are happy to cater to most dietary requirements and preferences.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland for the residency?
EU residents do not need a visa to travel to Ireland. Citizens of certain countries do require a visa to travel to Ireland. Visa requirements for Ireland can be found HERE. If you need a letter to assist in securing a visa, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Do I need to bring bed linens or towels?
We provide bed linens, but please bring your own towels.

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