Professional Residency

About the Open Call

Throwing Shapes, in partnership with Staycity, offers three 3-month Professional Residencies for established ceramic artists and potters (Autumn, Spring, and Summer 2025-2026). This professional residency provides full studio access and free accommodation during the chosen 3-month program. Applicants must be an established arts or ceramics practitioner with a proven track record (3+ years of independent work, 3+ collections, or alternative equivalents) and possess advanced ceramics and/or pottery skills. Applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Ireland for the duration of the residency, and if a visa is required, this is the applicant’s responsibility. Residents are expected to commit to full participation in studio activities, mentorship, community events, and potential teaching opportunities. Applications are welcome from professional artists/ceramists based in Ireland or internationally. The residency requires a self-directed proposal focusing on research-led artistic development with a specified outcome (e.g., an exhibition, material research, or commissioned work), effective use of studio resources, and a willingness to teach or engage in peer- or community-based learning.

What is Offered

3-months of full access to 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, which is a two-bedroom spacious, own-door, and well-equipped apartment in central-north Dublin, shared throughout the 3-month period with a graduate resident (utility bills need to be paid for by the resident). Opportunity to teach workshops. A solo exhibition at the end of the residency with curatorial & marketing support. Access to member events, the ‘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. Invitations to alumni events, retreats, and future professional opportunities. Note: A stipend is not included, and applicants will be asked to clarify how they plan on covering living costs. Residents must commit to donating one piece of their collection of work created during their time in the studio to Throwing Shapes at the end of their residency.

Requirements

Applicants must be an established arts or ceramics practitioner with a proven track record (3+ years of independent work outside of an institution, 3+ collections or bodies of work, or alternative equivalents). Possess advanced ceramics and/or pottery skills. Be legally entitled to live and work in Ireland for the duration of the residency; if a visa is required, this is the applicant’s responsibility. Commit to full participation in studio activities, mentorship, community events, and potential teaching opportunities. Applications are welcome from professional artists/ceramists based in Ireland or internationally.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a completed application form, which opens on the application opening date (e.g., August 1st for Autumn Residency). The application form requires: a residency proposal (Max. one page PDF, 100MB max), an artist CV (Max. two pages PDF, 100MB max), a portfolio (up to five works/collections with captions, Max. 5 Pages PDF, 100MB in form, or WeTransfer to claycity@throwingshapes.ie if file size is limiting), and details for two referees (name, role, email). A letter of recommendation is optional. Please use uniform file naming: FirstnameSurnameFilename.pdf.