Dublin City Council announce new artistic workspaces on Merchant’s Quay
Space in two buildings on the quays in the Liberties will be available for artists to rent as workspaces, the Arts Office of Dublin City Council (DCC) has announced.
There are 19 potential studio spaces that will be available between buildings number 8 and 9 on Merchant’s Quay.
Artists will be offered workspaces based on an open application process which requires a project proposal along with their background, a budget and proof of tax compliance. Successful applicants will be given a ‘licence’ from the DCC that will let them stay for between one and three years.
The aim is not to have a city with only hotels and housing, we also need to have our artists embedded in our city where they are not under threat of not being able to work or live here”
— Ray Yeates, DCC arts officer
There are further plans to set up more developments around Dublin city centre along with some offices planned to be set up on the northside.
“There is an acknowledged deficit in artist workspaces in the city due to the property market, the recession,” Dublin City Council arts officer Ray Yeates told the Liberty.
“Very well-known studios are losing their premises to either redevelopment or increases in rent,” he added.
“We’re involved with a lot of developments in the city to secure partial working spaces. In the northside, we are about to put 13 artists into Artane Place in the next three months. We have already selected the artists for that building.
“We intend to develop a building over the next five years on Bridgefoot Street which is the next street up from the two buildings on Merchant’s Quay.
“We’re always on the hunt for buildings we can use,” he said.
According to Yeates and the DCC, the workspaces available to rent will be affordable for artists.
“Yeah, that’s part of the call. Our research shows that artists can only afford €200 to €250 per month so the price range will be within that region,” said Yeates.
“The aim is not to have a city with only hotels and housing, we also need to have our artists embedded in our city where they are not under threat of not being able to work or live here,” he added.
“It isn’t just about the artist, it’s about how people take part in the arts, whether they’re in the local choir, read, listen, or play music. Then there’s the audience that supports the arts. It’s the relationship between those three things,” said Yeates.
“We mostly focus on the outcome of participation, but to have great participation, you need great artistic practice.”
Applications for the Merchant’s Quay offices closed on Friday 11 November.
The panel is expected to meet in December to decide on candidates who will be interviewed in the New Year.
Those who secured an office will be able to move in early in 2023.
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