Graphic Studio Dublin
Membership Applications – Friday 31st January 2025, 4pm
Full Membership, Open Access, Graduate Membership
Full details may be downloaded here:GSD-Membership-applications-Jan-2025
PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION
Applications are to be in writing and must include:
- a cover letter stating why you wish to join Graphic Studio Dublin
- a current CV noting contact details and including all relevant professional experience in chronological order. This can include experience related to your wider artistic practice, and not necessarily just printmaking experience.
- an artist\’s statement
- a portfolio of work (no larger than A1 in size) containing a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 of your best pieces of original print work. You can include photographs of installation pieces/print work, which is larger than A1 in size, all other work should be original.
- all work should be well presented, clearly labelled and any extra information regarding the prints is encouraged (e.g., dates, media, inspiration, where they were shown etc)
The portfolio and documents MUST be dropped into the studio, Distillery House, Distillery Court, 537 North Circular Road, Dublin, D01 HD39, before the above deadline. Partial submissions and online submissions will not be accepted.
A panel of assessors, including the Studio Director, Programme Coordinator, an artist board member and an independent artist will evaluate the submission, seeking demonstration of ability in at least one method of printmaking, quality of artistic ability and ideas. Shortlisted applicants may subsequently be invited to make a ten-minute presentation about their work at the studio.
Applicants will be informed, in writing, within four weeks of submission of portfolio, as to whether they have been successful or not. Successful entry will be followed by an induction into Graphic Studio Dublin including a tour of the studio and Health and Safety practices. Portfolios must be collected within three weeks of notification of a decision.
All new members will be admitted to the studio during working hours only, for the first 6 months of membership (or less, if agreed with the Studio Director.) This will be part of a probationary period, and the new members will have access to technical support from the Studio Director and Programme Manager during this time. After 12 months, the new members will be able to submit a portfolio where their membership, if approved, will render them key-holding studio members.
Membership entitles each member to 24-hour access, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Membership fees (currently €600) are paid in advance for the year commencing 1st January by standing order. Successful applicants will pay a pro-rata membership in year one to 31st December.
Graphic Studio Dublin welcome all applicants and encourage applications from all areas of the community regardless of your gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, ethnicity or membership of the Traveller Community, or socio-economic background. Successful applicants who may have difficulty taking up membership for any reason related to the above criteria, can discuss this with the Studio Director and all possible assistance will be given to accommodate your membership.
Contact us: Any queries about membership or difficulties in making an application, can be emailed to info@graphicstudiodublin.com and we can assist you.
Open Access for selected printmakers is available from 9.30am to 5pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, and Mondays and Fridays by appointment only (if staff are available).
The fee is €330 for 15 days paid in advance. The fifteen days do not have to be consecutive but must be used up within one year from date of payment. Fees cannot be refunded for days not used. Any number of sessions can be purchased. The fee for four weeks totalling 20 consecutive weekdays days when booked in advance is €220. Fees cannot be refunded for days not used.
Inks are included in the fees, and some other materials are available to buy in the studio.
Applications for Open Access are the same as for Membership– see above- and should be made at the same time, stating clearly that this is an application for ‘Open Access’. Applicants will be informed, in writing, within four weeks of submission of portfolio, as to whether they have been successful or not. Successful entry will be followed by an induction into Graphic Studio Dublin including a tour of the studio and Health and Safety practices.
Extended Open Access
Extended Open Access can be applied for by those who have gained enough experience, through using Supervised Open Access, or by attending courses at Graphic Studio Dublin, to be confident and skilled enough to use the facilities unsupervised.
Extended Open Access allows access to the studio from 9am to 9pm for four days per week, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A small amount of storage is provided if available. The fee for Extended Open Access is €545.00 per year payable in January of each year.
However, the Studio Director must be satisfied that the Extended Open Access user is competent enough to use the facilities safely before they will be given keys to the studio. To this end, Studio access may initially be restricted to Fridays and Mondays from 9.30am to 5pm. Keys will be given at the discretion of the Studio Director.
Inks and solvents are included in fees, but other materials such as paper, wiping cloths, cleaning rags, plates etc should be provided by the artist themselves. Some materials are available to buy in the studio.
Applications for Extended Open Access are the same as for Membership– see above- and should be made at the same time, stating clearly that this is an application for ‘Extended Open Access’.
Graphic Studio Gallery
Acceptance to Open Access, and Extended Weekend Access, does not automatically allow representation in Graphic Studio Gallery, this is subject to approval by the Gallery Director.
Graphic Studio Dublin offer a reduced rate to graduates who are successful in their membership application. The rate is 60% of the full rate, or €360 for the year, a reduction of the regular rate of €600. This rate is offered for up to two years after the date of graduation. The application procedure is the same as for full membership and should be made at the same time, stating clearly that this is an application for ‘Graduate Membership’.
Similarly, a reduced rate of 60% of the full rate is offered to recent graduates accepted on Open Access or Extended Access.
Graduate Award
Each year Graphic Studio Dublin offers a number of graduate awards to students of Dublin’s fine art educational institutions and third level colleges specialising in print.
Each award offers up to a year of access to our studio, materials and expert technical guidance. They link the graduate’s degree course to a professional art practice, that assists their development by working alongside established artist printmakers. The awards also encourage the enrolment of other young artists, who frequently bring new ideas, and ways of working to our collective studio environment. Graphic Studio Dublin provides facilities for intaglio, lithography, screen print, letterpress and relief print.
In 2024, we are delighted to be partnering with the RDS, to offer an Emerging Visiting Artist Graduate Award in Print. This will be offered alongside our annual awards, and will be open to graduates from colleges around the country, as part of the annual RDS Visual Artist Awards.
The selection process for all awards begins with graduate degree shows in May and June, where their work will be assessed along with a portfolio of related work which must be made available alongside their display. RDS assessors will shortlist candidates, which will then be reviewed by GSD and RDS assessors.
Selection for the GSD awards is made by the Studio Director, and the Gallery Director along with a member of the Board of GSD and the Department Heads of third level colleges specialising in print. Participating colleges include TU Dublin, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology and the National College of Art & Design.
The award recipients commence in autumn with an induction day in Graphic Studio Dublin including a tour of the studio and Health and Safety practices.
