Clay City Graduate Residency Sept 2025 - Sept 2026

About the Open Call

Throwing Shapes, in partnership with Staycity, offers a year-long Graduate Residency for emergent talent in contemporary ceramics. This graduate residency provides full studio access, free accommodation and mentorship to support the growth of the recipient’s ceramic practice. Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must have graduated from a recognised third-level institution (BA, BFA, MA, MFA, etc.) in Visual Arts, Design or Ceramics within the past three years (2022–2025). They must possess advanced ceramics and/or pottery skills, be legally entitled to live and work in Ireland from September 2025 to September 2026, and commit to full participation in studio activities, mentorship, community events and potential teaching opportunities. Applications are welcome from graduates based in Ireland or internationally. Graduate Residency Package includes: Twelve months of full-time access to the Throwing Shapes ceramics studio (does not include clay, materials, or firing costs), access to wheels, kilns, studio glazes, workshop equipment, hand-building space, communal tools, and peer-learning environment. Fully subsidised city-centre accommodation provided by Staycity (a two-bedroom spacious, own-door and well equipped apartment in central-north Dublin, shared with three separate professional residents for three months each; utility bills are the resident's responsibility). Opportunity to teach workshops, solo exhibition at the end of the residency with curatorial & marketing support, access to member events, Talking Clay series, seasonal retreats and seasonal studio markets. Mentorship sessions with staff and studio leaders as well as social media mentorship with Staycity media staff. Permanent feature on the Throwing Shapes website and alumni blog, and invitations to alumni events, retreats and future professional opportunities. Proposal Requirements: Applicants are scored based on Research-led artistic development, Use of studio resources, Teaching and community contribution, and Engagement with Dublin and Ireland.

What is Offered

Full studio access, free accommodation, mentorship, opportunity to teach workshops, solo exhibition, access to member events, talking clay series, seasonal retreats, seasonal studio markets, permanent feature on Throwing Shapes website and alumni blog, invitations to alumni events, retreats, and future professional opportunities.

Requirements

Applicants must have graduated from a recognised third-level institution (BA, BFA, MA, MFA, etc.) in Visual Arts, Design or Ceramics within the past three years (2022–2025). Possess advanced ceramics and/or pottery skills. Be legally entitled to live and work in Ireland from September 2025 to September 2026 (visa responsibility is the applicant’s). Commit to full participation in studio activities, mentorship, community events and potential teaching opportunities. Applications are welcome from graduates based in Ireland or internationally.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a completed application form, which will go live on 7th July on the main Clay City webpage and this guide page. The application must include: Residency proposal (PDF, Max. one page, 100MB max.), CV (PDF, Max. one page, 100MB max.), Portfolio (up to five works/collections with captions, PDF, Max. 5 Pages - 100MB in form, or WeTransfer to claycity@throwingshapes.ie if file size is limiting), and Two referees (name, role, email). A Letter of recommendation is optional. File names should be uniform: FirstnameSurnameFilename.pdf.