Summary
Breaking News Ireland: Twenty-two subsidised studios for visual artists have opened at Manfield Chambers on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, in a public-private initiative designed to address the shortage of affordable creative workspace and support the renewal of the city centre.
New Dublin affordable studios open on O’Connell Street
Artists in Dublin have welcomed the opening of 22 new affordable studios at Manfield Chambers, marking a significant investment in the capital’s creative infrastructure. The workspaces are located at the corner of O’Connell Street Lower and Middle Abbey Street, placing practising visual artists at the centre of one of the city’s best-known streets.
The studios were formally launched on Thursday by Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Daryl Barron. The project is being delivered by Visual Artists Ireland, Dublin City Council’s arts office and property investor Quanta Capital.
For artists who have previously worked from cramped homes or temporary premises, the scheme offers more than a desk or room. The studios provide space to create, display and develop larger-scale work in a central Dublin location.
Artists describe the impact of the new spaces
Photographer and visual artist Conor Horgan is among those working from the new studios. His work includes a photographic series titled Disco Vegetables, featuring vivid images of pink oyster mushrooms.
Sculptor and draughtsperson Jen Donnery said the new workspace was particularly welcome after previously producing large work in small rooms. Painter Margaret Farrell, who became a full-time artist after leaving teaching a decade ago, also said she was delighted to have a dedicated studio for her practice.
The participating artists work across different disciplines, including photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, glass and design. That variety is intended to bring a visible creative presence to O’Connell Street rather than confining artistic activity to less accessible parts of the city.
Why the Dublin studios matter
The launch comes as artists face rising costs and a limited supply of suitable workspaces in Dublin. Affordable studios are difficult to secure, particularly for artists who need natural light, ventilation, storage or enough floor area to produce large pieces.
Visual Artists Ireland chief executive Noel Kelly said the new facility would add much-needed creative capacity following the permanent closure of The Complex, an inner-city venue that previously housed 17 artist studios. The closure followed the expiry of its lease in January.
The loss of existing studios has increased pressure on artists to work from home, share unsuitable premises or move away from the city centre. The Manfield Chambers project does not solve the wider shortage on its own, but it provides a practical model for creating subsidised workspaces within existing buildings.
Funding and management of the project
Dublin City Council has contributed €294,000 to the initiative. Of that amount, €150,000 was used to refurbish the building, while the balance supports subsidised rents and helps maintain affordability for the artists using the studios.
Quanta Capital invested €3 million in restoring the heritage building. Visual Artists Ireland will manage the programme and provide support to the participating artists.
- Number of studios: 22
- Location: Manfield Chambers, O’Connell Street Lower, Dublin
- Public funding: €294,000 from Dublin City Council
- Building investment: €3 million from Quanta Capital
- Programme manager: Visual Artists Ireland
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O’Connell Street as a cultural destination
The project is also intended to contribute to the wider revitalisation of O’Connell Street. The street is a major civic and commercial route through Dublin, but like many city-centre areas, it has faced challenges linked to vacant properties, changing retail patterns and the need for more activity outside traditional business hours.
The Lord Mayor said artists working on O’Connell Street could bring fresh energy to the area and reflect the diversity of life in the capital. Open studios and visible creative work can help connect residents, visitors and businesses with the cultural life of the city.
The initiative therefore has two objectives: to give artists more secure working conditions and to introduce additional cultural activity into the city centre. Its success may be assessed not only through the number of studios provided, but also through the relationships that develop between artists, local communities and the surrounding area.
A pilot project with potential for expansion
Dublin City Council has described the scheme as a pilot that could be replicated elsewhere. That makes the project relevant beyond O’Connell Street, particularly as councils, cultural organisations and property owners consider how underused or restored buildings might support the arts.
Any future expansion would depend on funding, suitable buildings and long-term arrangements that protect affordability. Refurbishment costs can be substantial, while artists need predictable rents and secure access if studios are to support sustainable careers.
The partnership model used at Manfield Chambers combines public subsidy, private investment and sector expertise. It offers one possible approach to preserving creative space in a city where property pressures have made independent studio provision increasingly difficult.
What happens next?
Visual Artists Ireland will oversee the programme and support the artists based in the building. The next stage will be to establish the studios as a working creative community and evaluate whether the arrangement delivers the intended benefits for artists and O’Connell Street.
For readers, the opening may eventually create opportunities to see artists at work, learn more about contemporary practice and engage with cultural activity in a more direct way. Details of public access or future events will depend on the programme’s arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the new artist studios?
They are located at Manfield Chambers, on the corner of O’Connell Street Lower and Middle Abbey Street in Dublin city centre.
How many studios have opened?
The project provides 22 studios for practising visual artists.
Who supports the initiative?
The studios are a joint project involving Visual Artists Ireland, Dublin City Council’s arts office and Quanta Capital.
Why are affordable studios needed?
Dublin has a shortage of suitable, affordable workspaces for artists. The closure of existing facilities, including The Complex, has added to the pressure.
Conclusion
The opening of 22 affordable studios is an important development for Dublin’s creative sector and a notable piece of Breaking News Ireland. By combining council funding, private investment and professional arts management, the Manfield Chambers project gives artists dedicated space while adding cultural activity to O’Connell Street. Its longer-term importance will depend on whether this pilot can help shape similar affordable studio projects across Dublin and beyond.
