The Stables, Tulla Artist Studios, Church Road, Tulla, Co. Clare, V95 XN30, Ireland  

Application Guidelines 2024

About

Clare Arts Office invites applications from professional creative practitioners to avail of a studio space in the Tulla Artist Studios. Applications are welcome from practitioners across the spectrum of creativity, including – Architecture, Arts & Disability, Arts & Health, Arts & older people, Circus, Dance, Design, Digital arts, Film, Irish Language Arts, Literature, Multi-disciplinary, Multimedia Art, Music, Opera, Spectacle, Street Arts Theatre, Traditional arts and Visual arts, amongst others.

The Studios

The Studios were set up by the Arts Office of Clare County Council to provide workspaces for visual artists in the county. The 7 artists’ studios are located in the idyllic setting of the renovated stables in Tulla Co. Clare. Built in 1812 by the local landowners, the Brady-Browns, the coach houses and stables were assigned to local, Protestant families attending church at St. Mochulla’s Church of Ireland (now demolished). The Stables were acquired by Clare County Council in the late 1950’s.

The Tulla Stables Studios Complex was developed by the Arts Office of Clare County Council in response to the need for dedicated studio facilities for visual artists in County Clare. It was funded by the ACCESS programme of the Dept. of Arts, Sports & Tourism and by Clare County Council. It was officially opened in November 2007 by Minister for the Arts, Síle de Valera.

Each studio is fully equipped with power, water, storage and wi-fi with access to w/c & shower facilities, private car parking and kiln. Each artist is issued with a legal license agreement for their studio at the complex.

Licensing Details

The cost of a studio in Tulla is €185 per month inclusive of all utilities. The license fee is due in advance monthly by standing order along with one month’s deposit. There are no shared facilities in Tulla.

Studios are licensed for an initial 9-month period which may be extended for a further period of 2 years, subject to artist meeting required conditions of their licence agreement

The studios are owned by Clare County Council. The artist must insure the studios for public liability which indemnifies Clare County Council and are responsible for insuring their own artworks and equipment etc.

Eligibility

Applicants must reside in the Republic of Ireland

Applicants must not have previously held a Tulla studio

Applicants must be professional creative practitioners

Hold a degree or diploma from a recognized educational institution or have equivalent professional experience.

Applicants in full time education will not be considered.

Application

Submission

Deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm Friday 31st January 2025.

Applications must be submitted online through the Clare County Council Your Say Platform. Applicants should ensure they submit in plenty of time. Questions regarding the application should be sent to suil@clarecoco.ie with the subject line “Tulla Studio Application”

Applications must be fully completed and submitted before the stated deadline of 4pm Friday 31st January 2025. No Late applications can be accepted.

Requested supporting material must be submitted with the application.

If you require additional assistance to make the application more accessible, don’t hesitate to contact us. Email suil@clarecoco.ie with the subject line “Tulla Studio Application Access”. We would be happy to assist you.

Assessment of applications

All applications are assessed by a panel which includes members of the Arts Office team and external assessors. Applicants will only be assessed on the content of their application. Do not assume assessors are familiar with your practice.

The Arts Office team will not be available for meetings with applicants while the application process is live, but are happy to address any queries regarding the application process. Contact suil@clarecoco.ie for any queries. Canvassing will automatically disqualify an applicant.

Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the criteria outlined below and marked out of 100.

A. Creative Practice (40)

Quality of artistic work demonstrated in the supporting materials.

Potential impact on individual’s creative development.

B. Professional Practice (40)

Potential impact on individual’s professional development.

Experience to date.

How often applicant will be in situ.

C. Connection (20)

How applicant will connect with communities and or other artists

Applications that do not meet the minimum qualifying mark of 70 will not be considered. Successful applicants will be placed on a panel in order of merit and be called upon as studios become available. The panel will be in place for 3 years and no new applications will be accepted during this period.

Essential supporting documents

Artist’s C.V. - submitted as a pdf

Examples of previous work, up to 10 images, text samples, video links etc - submitted as a pdf

Terms and Conditions of Acceptance

Each artist will be issued with a legal license agreement for the studio which outlines a minimum in person attendance on site of 20 hours per week.

Each artist will be required to pay rent in full each month by standing order for the studio inclusive of heat, light, etc.

A deposit of one month’s rent will be required once the studio is awarded and this will be repaid to the artist once the studio has been vacated and is deemed to be left in good working order by the County Council.

All artists agree to be bound by the operational rules and terms and conditions of the studios, which shall be provided to them when an offer of a studio is made including adhering to Health and Safety Procedures.

All artists must facilitate an open studio event or similar as part of Culture Night, which takes place in September annually.

Commercial activities (classes etc.) may not take place at the studios unless the artist is insured for same and indemnifies Clare County Council.

Artists who wish to work with children must provide Clare Arts Office with a copy of their child safeguarding policy. Training and sample policies are available at Tusla.ie

Freedom of Information

Clare County Council proposes that the following information relating to this open call application be made available on request:

Name of the successful applicants.

Clare County Council undertakes to use its best endeavours to hold confidential, information provided by applicants subject to its obligations under law, including the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Applicants are requested to consider if any of the information supplied should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity. If this is the case, candidates should, when providing the information is not identified as sensitive and Clare County Council upon consideration does not deem it sensitive, then such information is liable to be released in response to a Freedom of Information request without further consultation with the applicants. Clare County Council will consult with any candidates about sensitive information before making a decision on any Freedom of Information Act request received.