Mason Hayes & Curran Launch Bursary at Fire Station Artists’ Studios to Support Early Career Artists
20 March 2026
Law firm Mason Hayes & Curran announces a new multi-annual visual arts residential studio bursary today in partnership with Fire Station Artist Studios in Dublin 1.
Facilitated by Business to Arts, the new annual Mason Hayes & Curran Bursary at Fire Station Artist Studios recognises the challenges facing emerging artists in the current housing and economic context.
The bursary will support one visual artist per year for the next three years with a secure, subsidised, self-contained living and working space in Dublin city, alongside access to studio facilities, production resources, technical support and mentorship.The first bursary term will commence in September 2026 and run for 12 months.
Fire Station Artist Studios launches the Open Call today across their platforms, with a deadline for applications on 21 April 2026. This bursary welcomes applications from visual artists from diverse and underrepresented communities who may experience even greater challenges in securing accommodation and studio space in Dublin.
Pictured are Christine O’Donovan, Partner and Chair of the Mason Hayes & Curran Art Committee, Sara Greavu, Director, Fire Station Artist's Studios and Louise O'Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts. Robbie Reynolds Photography.
This initiative builds on Mason Hayes & Curran’s long-time support of the visual arts in Ireland, which is a core part of the firm’s CSR activity. The programme ranges from commissions and acquisitions to events and sponsorships – including the firm’s partnership with the RDS Visual Art Awards, now in its 10th year.
This approach not only benefits individual artists, but contributes to a more sustainable and vibrant arts sector — one that continues to enrich communities, cities and wider society.
For more information, head to Firestation Studios.
“ Supporting visual artists is part of our culture and DNA at Mason Hayes & Curran. We began acquiring contemporary art in the early nineties, and our collection has evolved into one of Ireland's most important private corporate art collections. This new bursary with Fire Station Artists' Studios builds on the legacy of our Art CSR programme while addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing emerging artists today: the lack of affordable live-work space in Dublin. Talent alone is not enough. Artists also need infrastructure, community and stability to develop their practice and build sustainable careers.”
“ By combining residential studio provision within a professional development environment, the bursary reflects a growing recognition that artistic talent thrives best when creative practice is supported by the skills, confidence and infrastructure needed to build robust careers. We are delighted to partner with Mason Hayes & Curran on this initiative.”
