If you are graduating in Summer 2026 and are based in the Munster region, this is for you.
National Sculpture Factory is a systemically key resource for Fine Arts production in Ireland, with a local, national and international remit, making work from small to large scale, with access to advice and expertise, machinery and specialised equipment as well as space and community, where artists, at all stages of careers, make their work in a collegiate atmosphere.
National Sculpture Factory, at its very heart, supports artists at all stages of their careers. Space and time to think things through is vital to experimentation and expression, to exploring and developing their practice of art-making in all its forms and production.
NSF offers the opportunity to explore artistic practice following graduation through awards for graduates in the Munster region. This award application is open to all students from the 2026 graduating classes of:
* MTU CCAD Fine Art & Contemporary Applied Art,
* TUS LSAD Sculpture and Combined Media,
* SETU WIT Fine Art
* TUD B.A.V.A. Sherkin Island Fine Art
To progress this for recent graduates and to enable an understanding of working in the field after college, this NSF Graduate Residency Award enables recent graduates experience the conditions of a studio practice and field work; decision making and opportunities, aiming to inform a transition from the college environment into the world of being an artist; and see other artists at work.
This award entails being able to be in Cork and NSF, for mutually agreed lengths of time and for creation of work that is sculptural and material in nature.
Graduate Residency awards include:
* free studio rental for 3 months with material stipend;
* technical and administrative support;
* curatorial and peer support;
* mentorship and free access to educational & technical workshops/lectures.
Successful candidates are selected based on their residency applications, overall degree show, and how the NSF can help develop the potential of their practice based on alignment of methodology, scale of artworks and facilities requirements.
2026 application guidelines:
To apply please submit the following to info@nationalsculpturefactory.com by Sunday 3rd May at midnight
* Brief artist’s statement (200 words max)
* Overview of how you believe your practise would benefit from the award (200 words max)
* 3 current artwork images
A Zoom clinic will be organised closer to the deadline, and if you wish to sign up for this, please email stephanie@nationalsculpturefactory.com including your name and college to get the link.
