Burren College of Art
Burren College of Art was founded on the principles of providing time, space, and inspiration. Away from the pressures and rigors of everyday life, their residencies offer a space for introspection, renewal, and retreat. The Burren is a location where you can fully immerse yourself in the strength and beauty of nature, connecting with your creative potential and realizing your artistic potential. Located in the heart of one of the most striking landscapes in all of Europe, the Burren offers the ideal setting for inspiration and clarity.
Their ideas-led approach to art is evident in the college community's activities, which include late-night talks in the neighborhood pubs and special events like conferences and exhibition openings. More specifically, the strong sense of connection to land and nature that makes the Burren unique benefits the residents of the Burren College of Art.
Since 2017, they have been able to provide the 12-week Residency + Burren Immersion programs between September and April in addition to the year-round BCA Residency. While the Burren Immersion: 12-week Residency unites independent studio time with tutorials and the opportunity to take one or more undergraduate courses (without academic credit) during the semester, the Residency + offers studio time in addition to weekly tutorials with the faculty. Public talks, lectures by visiting artists, seminars, and other events are open to all residents throughout the year. Ireland's location at the entrance to Europe makes it easy to access other art centers in addition to the museums and galleries in Galway, Dublin, and Belfast.
Burren College of Art Courses
Burren College of Art Admission Requirements
- You have to be at least eighteen years old. Under-18 students might be admitted depending on the circumstances.
- You have to be enrolled in or have recently completed your studies at a community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university in the United States or Canada.
- Before the start of the term, you must have finished at least one (1) year of studies at your home institution.
- For citizens of the United States or Canada, a visa is not needed.
- If you are a citizen of another country, you might need a visa.
- Every student must have a resident permit.
Eligibility
Letters of Recommendation
One academic letter of recommendation is required for your application to be considered for this program.
Visa and Resident Permit Requirements
Transcript
After you complete your program, IFSA will convert your coursework to the American semester credit hour system and send an official transcript from Butler University to your home university. An unofficial transcript will also be available to you through your IFSA Student Portal. During your term abroad, the transcript shows the courses you took, the credits you attempted, and the grades you received. Your study abroad program includes this service at no extra cost. For further information, view our transcripts.
Burren College of Art Scholarship
| Name | Designation |
| Conor McGrady | MFA - Dean of Academic Affairs, Head of Drawing and Painting |
| Dr. Ruby Wallis | Lecturer in Photography |
| Dr. Áine Phillips | Head of Sculpture |
| Dr. Eileen Hutton | Lecturer in Art & Ecology |
| Tom Flanagan | Lecturer in Sculpture |
Burren College of Art Accommodation
Burren College of Art provides on-campus housing in its 11-room Lodge and nearby 4-bedroom bungalow for undergraduate Study Abroad students, visiting professors, workshop attendees, and Artists-in-Residence.
The Lodge is located 35 minutes from Ballyvaughan village and 10 minutes from the College. It is situated on spacious grounds with breathtaking views of the Burren.
The eleven twin en suite bedrooms are well-lit and furnished. There are also rates for a single room. Large living room with fireplace, dining room, TV area, fully furnished kitchen, laundry room, and public restrooms are among the communal spaces. A summertime patio area with a chimney makes the perfect outdoor gathering place. The Lodge offers wheelchair-accessible rooms as well as free WiFi throughout.
The Bungalow – The bungalow, which is next to the lodge, has two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms as well as two single rooms with a shared full bathroom. The home also features a fully furnished kitchen, laundry facilities, and a large common area with a cozy sitting area.
Newtown House – Situated adjacent to the 16th-century Newtown Castle, Newtown House is one of the campus's original buildings. Six twin or double bedrooms are available for use by college guests, residents, and students in the House. Four bedrooms share two large bathrooms, and two bedrooms have their own bathrooms. The House has Wi-Fi throughout, a fully functional kitchen, and shared common areas. There are laundry facilities close to the house.
Situated on the College campus, Newtown House is easily accessible to our studios and other amenities.
Meals: BCA provides a lunch-only optional meal plan. The remaining meals are made by the students.
Location: Ten minutes' walk from BCA in the UNESCO-designated village of Burren. Walking to the town of Ballyvaughn takes twenty minutes.
FAQ
1.Is Ireland a good place for artists?
Being an artist in Ireland is fantastic. Ireland offers a wealth of opportunities for artists to work and study. Working as a fine artist, photographer, or sculptor is one of the opportunities.
2.What is the difference between the MFA and the PhD?
These are postgraduate degrees. The primary distinction between the two degrees is that the PhD is a research degree at a higher academic level and the MFA is a taught degree. The MFA is an NFQ Level 9 degree, and the PhD is an NFQ Level 10 degree.
3.Is there a Low Residency PhD program at Burren College of Art?
A low residency program typically offers a Ph.D. within the timeframe of a Full-Time program, with less than Full-Time attendance. Still, it is supported by intensive distance learning and online methods to compensate for the reduced attendance, which adds to the same effort as Full-Time attendance. They are unable to provide that intensive distance learning process because their primary strength is an immersive experience in a unique location.
Instead, they provide a Part-Time option for the program that allows for extensive research projects to be completed primarily outside of BCA and supplemented with brief, intense bursts of in-person research at BCA when practical and reliable.
4.Does BCA offer Teaching Assistantships?
Ad hoc, a small number of Teaching Assistantships are offered to help with group critiques and occasional tutorials. We are unable to provide full-course TAs due to the size of the college.
5.Aren’t BCA PhD students a bit isolated?
PhD students at Burren College of Art are full members of this small, globally connected artistic and educational community, and they both benefit from and contribute to its ethos. Rather than being isolated, the college is remote. High degrees of independence and resourcefulness beyond those associated with Masters level programs are necessary for Ph.D. research due to their nature. This shouldn't, however, be interpreted as isolation as it is encouraged to have a deep involvement in the field of study and strong networking skills on a local, regional, national, and worldwide level. It is expected of Ph.D. students to look for and attend pertinent conferences, symposia, and other research forums in addition to looking into exhibition opportunities.
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