The Makers Exchange Studio Project at Dún Laoghaire Baths (Ireland)

Deadline: 07-Sep-2026

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (dlr), in partnership with the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Older People’s Council (dlr OPC), is inviting applications from professional designers and makers for a 14-month creative residency. Selected participants will receive a monthly fee of up to €2,000, a €5,000 materials budget, €1,500 for training or mentorship, and a fully funded studio to collaborate with older people through creative practice.

About the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Creative Residency

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in collaboration with the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Older People’s Council (dlr OPC), has launched a unique residency programme that brings together professional designers, makers, and older people to co-create meaningful artistic experiences.

The residency encourages collaboration, creativity, lifelong learning, and community engagement while providing designers and makers with dedicated time, resources, and professional development opportunities.

The project is designed to demonstrate how creative practice can strengthen connections between generations and promote inclusive participation across the county.

Residency Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Support collaboration between designers, makers, and older people.
• Promote creative participation and lifelong learning.
• Encourage inclusive community engagement.
• Provide meaningful creative experiences for older adults.
• Strengthen collaborative arts practice.
• Support professional development for designers and makers.
• Showcase creative work produced during the residency.
• Foster stronger connections between artists and local communities.

Focus Areas

The residency supports projects involving:

• Collaborative design
• Craft and maker practices
• Community arts
• Creative ageing
• Inclusive arts participation
• Social engagement
• Intergenerational learning
• Studio-based creative practice
• Professional artistic development
• Public engagement through art

Funding and Residency Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Monthly Fee: Up to €2,000 (shared if applying as a pair)
• Materials Budget: €5,000
• Training or Mentorship Support: €1,500
• Residency Duration: 14 months
• Studio Access: Full-time access to a studio at dlr Baths from early October 2026
• Studio Costs: Rent and utility bills fully covered by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
• Project Documentation: Professional photography throughout the residency
• Exhibition Opportunity: Documentation and outcomes may be publicly exhibited at the end of the residency

What Will Participants Do?

Selected designers and makers will:

• Work closely with older people across the county.
• Develop collaborative creative projects.
• Facilitate artistic participation.
• Explore new ideas through community engagement.
• Create work within a dedicated studio environment.
• Participate in mentorship or professional development.
• Contribute to public engagement activities.
• Help demonstrate the value of inclusive creative practice.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must be:

• Professional designers or makers.
• Applying individually or as a collaborative pair.
• Experienced in creating work with people or communities.
• Able to demonstrate their professional creative practice.
• Willing to collaborate with older people throughout the residency.

Applications are welcomed from individuals representing the diversity of Irish society, regardless of:

• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Civil or family status
• Religion
• Age
• Disability
• Race
• Membership of the Traveller Community
• Socio-economic background

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A current CV outlining professional design or maker experience.
• Examples of previous collaborative or community-based creative work.
• Details of experience working with older people, where applicable.
• A project statement explaining:
  • Creative ideas and vision.
  • Plans for using the 14-month residency.
  • Expected career impact.
  • Experience they hope to create for older participants.
  • Benefits for the wider community.
  • Craft, discipline, or artistic medium to be used.
  • Details of any collaborating creative professionals.
• If applying as a pair, CVs for all applicants.

Why This Residency Matters

Creative participation can improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and strengthen community connections.

This residency supports:

• Creative ageing initiatives.
• Inclusive artistic participation.
• Professional development for designers and makers.
• Community collaboration.
• Public appreciation of creative practice.
• Stronger relationships between artists and older people.
• Long-term cultural engagement within the county.

How the Residency Works

Step 1: Submit an Application

Prepare the required CV, supporting documents, and project statement.

Step 2: Selection Process

Applications are assessed based on artistic quality, collaborative experience, and the proposed residency plan.

Step 3: Begin the Residency

Successful applicants move into the dlr Baths studio from early October 2026.

Step 4: Community Collaboration

Designers and makers work alongside older people through creative workshops and collaborative activities.

Step 5: Professional Development

Participants access mentorship, training opportunities, and financial support for materials.

Step 6: Public Documentation

The residency is professionally documented through photography, with the possibility of a public exhibition showcasing the creative journey.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

• Clearly explain your creative vision.
• Demonstrate experience working collaboratively.
• Show how older people will actively participate.
• Present realistic plans for the 14-month residency.
• Highlight community impact.
• Explain why the residency will strengthen your artistic practice.
• Include strong examples of previous collaborative projects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Providing a vague project proposal.
• Failing to explain community engagement plans.
• Omitting examples of collaborative work.
• Submitting incomplete CVs.
• Not describing the artistic medium clearly.
• Ignoring the residency timeline.
• Overlooking the expected impact on participants and the wider public.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is organizing the residency?

The programme is organized by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in partnership with the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Older People’s Council (dlr OPC).

Who can apply?

Professional designers and makers may apply individually or as a collaborative pair.

How much funding is available?

Successful applicants receive up to €2,000 per month, a €5,000 materials budget, and €1,500 for training or mentorship.

How long is the residency?

The residency lasts 14 months, beginning in early October 2026.

Where will the residency take place?

The residency will be based at the dlr Baths studio, with studio rent and utilities fully covered.

Is previous experience working with older people required?

It is not mandatory, but applicants should include any relevant experience in their CV if applicable.

What documents are required?

Applicants must submit a CV, examples of collaborative work, and a detailed project statement outlining their creative proposal and residency plans.

Conclusion

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Creative Residency 2026 offers professional designers and makers an exceptional opportunity to develop collaborative artistic practice while working with older people in Ireland. With financial support, a fully funded studio, mentorship opportunities, and community engagement at its core, the residency promotes creativity, inclusion, and meaningful cultural participation that benefits both artists and the wider community.

For more information, visit Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.