We are delighted to launch our annual programme of paid opportunities for artists, architects and designers in community-led co-design and creative placemaking in 2023.

Keep an eye out on our website, social media and through our newsletters to keep up to speed with when and how to apply for the different opportunities. Here is an overview:

These activities include two new place-based residency opportunities with partners in Wexford and Tipperary and the third edition of our Town Ecologies co-design programme for architects in rural Kilkenny. PrintBlock Callan opens its doors once more in April with studio membership, workshops and residency opportunities. Please save the date for Making Neighbourhoods, a national seminar taking place on Thursday, June 8th, at the Project Arts Centre, Dublin, in partnership with Self-Organised Architecture and Cloughjordan Co-Housing.

Our first open-call residency opportunity of the year is in association with Cow House Studios, Wexford. Cultivate: A Village Vision for Rathnure is a two-week curated residency programme from May 15th to 28th, 2023. With the support of Wexford Arts Office and The Arts Council, this opportunity will expand Cow House Studios’ remit to work proactively with their local rural community in Rathnure. Creative practitioners (collective and individual) are invited to apply. The opportunity is ideal for artists, architects, and designers who wish to develop their co-design, creative placemaking, and community engagement skills and experience. It includes the opportunity to stay in the beautiful and supportive environment of Cow House Studios. 

Application deadline: Sunday, April 2nd, 2023. 

Full details here: cowhousestudios.com/cultivate-a-village-vision-for-rathnure/

Thank you to the Arts Council for their ongoing funding support and to our partners in this year’s projects: Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, Kilkenny Arts Office, Wexford Arts Office, Cow House Studios, Self-Organised Architecture and Cloughjordan Co-Housing. We’ll also announce further projects and opportunities throughout the year as we develop activities through Nimble Spaces development in Callan, BíUrban, LEADER Smart Villages workshops and more.

As always, we welcome new ideas, and please do get in touch if you’d like to collaborate, visit or use our library and studio facilities over the coming months.

Spring greetings from all of the team at Workhouse Union,

Rosie, Hannah, Mark and Ailbhe