The Arts Office, Dublin City Council is delighted to announce an new opportunity for temporary artist workspaces in 2 buildings on Merchants Quay Dublin 2 that are in the process of refurbishment to become permanent Artists Workspaces. 19 potential spaces have been identified by Dublin City Council who will be able to offer artists affordable rents for designated temporary workspace. 

The term of  the Licence envisaged for these spaces will be not less than one year and not more than three years. The Arts Office is keen to engage with the artistic community on an open and competitive process to allocate these units. As part of the process there will be an information workshop (via Zoom), an Open Day to view the units available and an open application process.

Artists will be provided with designated, turnkey workspace. The City Arts Office understands from its own research that artists can normally pay up to €250 per month for a space of this kind and final pricing will be guided by this research. Applications can come from individual artists, collaborations of artists or artistic or cultural organisations interested in specific spaces.

No’s 8 and 9 Merchant’s Quay are located directly on the quays and adjacent to the Temple Bar Cultural Quarter. The building is owned and managed by Dublin City Council.

The site is well serviced for public transport with bus stops close by. It is located close to the city centre, close to shops, restaurants, coffee shops. 24-hour access may be available subject to agreement.

Artists will be provided with designated, turnkey workspace. Dublin City Arts Office understands from its own research that artists can normally pay up to €250 per month for a space of this kind and final pricing will be guided by this research.

Applications can come from individual artists, collaborations of artists or artistic or cultural organisations interested in specific spaces. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity for the artistic community in Dublin.

Information on Units

In No. 8 Merchant's Quay, There are 6 units available:

• Ground Floor - 1 small room (250sq foot approx.)
• First Floor - 1 small room (250sq foot approx.)
• Second Floor - 1 small room (250sq foot approx.)
• Third Floor - 3 small rooms.  1 measuring 250sq foot approx. and 2 rooms measuring (150sq foot each approx.)

In No. 9 Merchant's Quay, there are 13 units are available:

• Ground Floor - 3 small rooms (250sq foot each approx.)
• First Floor - 1 large room (550sq foot approx.) and 2 small rooms (250sq foot each approx.)
• Second Floor - 1 large room (550sq foot approx.) and 2 small rooms (250sq foot each approx.)
• Third Floor - 4 small rooms (250sq foot each approx.)

Timeframe
Successful artists will take a licence from the Dublin City Council. The exact details of the reduced rent on each unit will be explained to interested parties, as well as, any other terms and conditions at information session(s) and an Open Day organised by Dublin City Council’s Arts Office.

The dates for these are as follows:

Information Session 1: Monday 10th October 2022 @ 11.00 am 
A 1-hour session with a presentation by Dublin City Council followed by a question-and-answer session.

Information Session 2: Monday 10th October 2022 @ 7.00 pm 
A 1-hour session with a presentation by Dublin City Council followed by a question-and-answer session. Book your place here for the 7pm information session.

Open Day: Friday 14th October 2022 
There will be an hourly viewing of the buildings starting at 9.00 am with last showing at 4.00 pm with a break for lunch between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm 
You must book your place for the opening day.  You can choose your viewing time here.

The application form will go live on Friday 14th October at 9am and will be available here: https://dublincityartsoffice.submittable.com/submit

Closing date for applications: Friday 11th November 2022 @ 12.00 noon

It is hoped that the assessor panel will meet in early December and successful artists will be invited to interview in early 2023. The process of moving in will begin in 2023.

Application Process
Dublin City Council is committed to an open, transparent and competitive process. Applications can come from individual artists, groups of artists working together or arts organisations. The Arts Office is also interested in hearing the suggestions of artists on how the workspaces can be best utilised. That being said, there is a formal application process and assessment.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must first ensure that they are tax compliant and must complete the application form along with their proposal. Sufficient detail should be provided in your proposal with supporting documentation so that applications can be properly assessed.

Your proposal should include:

• Details of who you are, your background and work done. If a collaboration, then the team’s experience and background to your collaboration should be explained?

• Details of the work, project or programme you propose. In effect, how do you propose to use the workspace and what specific requirements would you have?

• Applicants are asked to provide a Budget with estimates for running the project or workspace and outline how you propose to meet these costs?

• An outline of the work you expect to produce and how it will be sold or shown?

For more information contact Ken Germaine on 0834051321 or ken@germaine.eu.com  
You can also contact the Arts Office, Dublin City Council artsoffice@dublincity.ie