About the College
Providing Time, Space and Inspiration for artists in the unique Burren landscape was the founding principle of the Burren College of Art. Liberation from rigid programming and opportunity for intense focus has helped the many artists who have studied at the college to find their artistic voice.
While reflection and introspection are essential to the creative process, the contemporary artist's unique insight is relelvant only when it connects with and engages the wider world. The Burren, a microcosm of society, provides a rich context from which to connect with wider issues.
Creativity is the source of the Burren College of Art. Establishing the college was the innovative response of a highly creative individual. To date, the core of the Burren experience has been the education of artists, with ecology, law, archaeology, business, leadership and other subjects as background elements. Our new vision unites these disciplines and aims to connect creativity to all academic disciplines through our centre for creative learning.
“A Burren Call” - www.burrencall.org - emanating from and based at BCA, is an invitation to audacious conversations on issues of global significance. The power and antiquity of the Burren as a holding space; skilled creative facilitation in a place where blank canvases challenge artists daily; immersion in the music and culture of the welcoming Ballyvaughan community ; all combine to open hearts and envision new possibilities . The first of a series of climate gatherings will convene at BCA in February 14th 2013. www.climategathering.org
The small scale of the college free of bureaucratic silos, our connections to international interdisciplinary institutions, a core of creative expertise and most especially the power of the Burren combine to position us ideally for this challenge.
Milestones
2012 - Conferring of first PhD in Studio Art at BCA by NUI Galway
2011 - Honorary Degree conferred on Dr. Carol Becker by National University of Ireland
Eight Burren Annual exhibition 'Between the Lines' curated by Josephine Kelleher, Rubicon Gallery
‘Creative Difference’ programme developed for Executive MBA students at NUI Galway
2010 - Seventh Burren Annual exhibition 'Timespace' curated by Jerome O'Driscoll, Green on Red Gallery,
Dublin with Martina Cleary, BCA
2009 - Sixth Burren Annual exhibition 'Modal Worlds' curated by Alice Correia, Gimpel Fils, London, with
Martina Cleary, BCA
2008 - Launch of PhD in Studio Art in association with the NUI Galway
Fifth Burren Annual exhibition 'Due North' curated by Jan Kaila, Finnish Academy of Fine Art, with
Martina Cleary, BCA
2007 - Fourth Burren Annual exhbition curated by Michael Dempsey
2006 - Honorary Degree’s conferred on John Baldessari and James Coleman by National University
of Ireland
Third Burren Annual exhibition curated by Jon Bewley, Locus +
Landscape Theory Roundtable chaired by Prof. James Elkins
Launch of Post Baccalaureate graduate programme
2005 - Conferring of first MFA students at BCA by NUI Galway.
Official opening of new MFA studios and Gallery by Olive Braiden, Chairperson of Arts Council
First MFA graduating exhibition in 'The Gallery' at BCA.
Second Burren Annual exhibition curated by Kevin Kavanagh.
2004- 10th Anniversary celebrations attended by President McAleese.
Launch of "The First Burren Annual '' exhibition. Plans for new MFA studios and gallery.
2003 - Announced as Affiliate Member of AICAD.
Launch of MFA Programme.
2002 - Appointment of internationally renowned Graduate Director/Dean Timothy Emlyn Jones.
2000 - Agreement with NUI Galway to establish joint Masters of Fine Art (MFA) programme.
1995 - Consortium agreement with AICAD. (Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design -
comprising of 33 leading art colleges in the US)
1994 - Officially opened by President Mary Robinson.
Designated as a third level college by Dept. of Education.
Approved for credit transfer by University of Illinois, US.
N.C.E.A. (National Council for Educational Awards) Approval.
Institutional member of N.A.S.A.D. (National Association of Schools of Art & Design)
1993 - Built with capital assistance through ERDF fund. Newtown castle restored.
1988-1993 Research & planning by Michael Greene & Mary Hawkes-Greene.
The Burren College of Art MFA studios were developed with financial assistance from the European Regional Development Fund under the NPD 2000-2006 Tourism Product Development Scheme, administered by Shannon Development.
