Residency Programme 2027 Call for Applications 

Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre Artists’ Residency Programme 2027  

Call for Applications for Uillinn Residencies and 2 Partnership Residencies detailed below:-

Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre offers Artist in Residence studio opportunities to practicing artists. Artists are invited to apply for an opportunity to research and develop their practices and to engage in dialogue with Uillinn, other organisations in Cork, the local community and general public.

This is a non-accommodation residency. Currently West Cork Arts Centre does not offer a stipend for the duration of a residency (other than for Partnership Residencies, two of which are listed below). We recommend that artists apply to their own Arts Councils, Local Authorities etc to source funding for accommodation, travel and expenses.

See also the EU Artist Mobility Scheme Culture Moves Europe; the UK-Ire Culture Connects Grant; and the Northern European Mobility Opportunity (NEMO).

The three Artists’ Studios are located on Level 2 of Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre’s building for the arts, and range in size from 18.2 metres square to 21.2 metres square. They are interconnecting workspaces, with north facing roof lights, that can be closed off from each other. Each studio is equipped with heating facilities, desk/work bench and wireless internet. Weekend and evening access can be facilitated.

The studios provide space for artists to engage in a programme of work over several weeks or months, to interact with the other artists in residence and exhibiting artists, and to facilitate access to their studio practice for specific groups on creative learning programmes and with the general public.

The opportunity for people to engage with artists working on site is central to the programme, and therefore artists are requested to have their studios open to the public for at least 2 days each week.

Uillinn offers a vibrant creative hub alongside a dynamic programme of exhibitions, performances and events. Central to our approach is fostering meaningful connections through networking and engagement with the geographical, social and community contexts in which we operate. Priority is given to artists who demonstrate a strong commitment to public engagement and audiences, as well as proposals that respond thoughtfully to our venue, location and facilities.

UILLINN STUDIO RESIDENCY 2027
We invite applicants to submit applications for periods of 4 weeks to 4 months within the timeframe January to December 2027. If you are applying for this residency, please mark the application Uillinn Studio Residency 2027

PARTNERSHIP RESIDENCY – CORK COUNTY COUNCIL STUDIO RESIDENCY 2027
Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre in partnership with Cork County Council invite submissions for a 4 week studio residency from a practicing artist who is resident in any part of the Cork County administrative area.

The residency supports artists seeking an opportunity to research and develop their practices and to engage in dialogue with Uillinn, other organisations in Cork, the local community and the general public. This is a non-accommodation residency. The artist will receive a stipend of €2,500 towards their residency and will share their work with the public via a number of events over the course of the residency.

Artists who have not participated in a previous residency programme at Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to artists who live outside of the West Cork area.

We invite applicants to the Cork County Council Residency for a period of 4 weeks within the timeframe January to December 2027. If you are applying for this residency, please mark your application Cork County Council Studio Residency 2027

PARTNERSHIP RESIDENCY – CORK COUNTY COUNCIL SAOI/SAGE STUDIO RESIDENCY 2027
Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre in partnership with Cork County Council invite submissions for a studio residency from a practicing artist aged 50 and over to take place from 1 – 31 May 2027 during the nationwide Bealtaine Festival – celebrating the arts and creativity as we age.

The residency supports artists seeking an opportunity to research and develop their practice and to engage in dialogue with Uillinn, other organisations in Cork, the local community and the general public. This is a non-accommodation residency. The artist will receive a stipend of €2,500 towards their residency and will share their work with the public via a number of events over the course of the residency including a Bealtaine event at Uillinn towards the end of the residency period.

If you are applying for this residency, please mark the application Saoi/Sage Studio Residency 2027.

APPLICATIONS FOR ALL RESIDENCIES:-

To apply, please email one PDF (no larger than 10MB), which must include the following:-

1.An up-to-date, concise CV.

2.An artist’s statement.

3.A maximum of 10 images of your work with full captions.

4.A proposal which clearly states the following:-
-An outline of your project / programme of work.
-The dates that you are available to avail of the opportunity (Saoi/Sage applicants must be available for 1 to 31 May 2027)
-Commitment to public engagement: outline your proposed public engagement activity, in-person or online (workshops, masterclasses, talks, discussions etc) during your residency.
-Engagement with the geographical, social and community contexts: state how you might connect with the local community, general public, specific communities of interest and Uillinn’s creative learning programmes.
-Supporting sustainable practice: briefly outline how your proposal or working methods consider our climate action goals and commitment to sustainable practice.

Applications by email only to opportunities@westcorkartscentre.com

For more information click https://westcorkartscentre.com/residencies/

 Please submit your application by 4pm on Wednesday 5 August 2026

Image: Some previous artists in residence at Uillinn
Top l-r: Micheál O’Connell, Tina Whelan, Janet Murran, Patsy Tyrrell
Bottom l-r: Murrough O’Donovan, Noël O’Callaghan, Petrina Shortt, Tanya de Paor

WCAC acknowledges the financial support of The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Cork County Council in making these residencies possible.