SPIKE ISLAND RESIDENCY 2025
Sample-Studios, in partnership with Spike Island and Sirius Arts Centre, is pleased to invite our members to apply for the annual residency on Spike Island. This is a unique opportunity for artists to have access to a distinctive site for the development of their work. Eight artists have availed of this opportunity since this partnership began in 2021.
Spike Island has witnessed 1300 years of history as a remote monastery, a fortress and formerly the world’s largest prison. In 2017, it was named Best Tourist Attraction at the International Travel and Tourism Awards, and has been named one of the best experiences in the country by Lonely Planet. It is a place full of memories and stories – a special location to create new work inspired by context, narrative and memory.
The residency will take place from 1st April 2025 – 30th September 2025.
The selected artist receives €5000 as a fee inclusive of travel to and from Cobh, subsistence and any other expenses.
In addition, the selected artist benefits from the following:
- Access to Spike Island via ferry from Cobh for 6 months.
- Production and promotional support from Sample-Studios.
- Research support, including provision of historical information and advice on Spike Island’s activities, from Spike Island’s Curator, Dorota Gubbins, through monthly 1 to 1 sessions during the residency.
- Mentorship from Sirius Arts Centre’s Director, Miguel Amado, through three 1 to 1 sessions prior, after and/or during the residency.
- A solo exhibition of resultant work in The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion in October 2025.
- In the instance the selected artist’s research leads to preliminary work or work in progress, opportunities to share it at Spike Island and/or Sirius Arts Centre in the form of a display, discussion, performance or workshop during or after the residency. The selected artist should be mindful that Spike Island is open to visitors of all ages, including families, so the proposed presentation should be accessible to a broad audience.
The selected artist can engage with Spike Island over a shorter three-month period if they wish but the associated resources are made available over six months.
To apply, applicants must submit the following materials (in a single PDF) to programme@sample-studios.com with the subject heading ‘Spike Island Residency/Exhibition 2025’ by 25th November at 4pm:
Artist CV, Statement (max. 300 words), link to artist website (if relevant), up to 10 images with captions/description of past work (min. 300 dpi) and an outline of the idea(s)/themes(s) to explore (max. 700 words).