Burren College of Art

Burren College of Art is a small, independent art school situated on the Wild Atlantic Way on the Northwest coast of County Clare in Ireland.

What makes us unique?

The college is located in the Burren, a region famous for its natural beauty and unique ecosystem. Founded in 1993 by Michael Greene and Mary Hawkes-Greene to give student artists the opportunity to develop their creative potential in the unique environment of the Burren, BCA has grown rapidly to an institution of international standing. 

As an internationally recognized Irish non-profit college specializing in undergraduate, postgraduate and alternative approaches to fine art education, the core of the Burren College of Art experience has been the education of visual artists. Our postgraduate programmes are accredited by the University of Galway. Our undergraduate programme is designed for students in North America who wish to study abroad in Ireland for one to two semesters and we currently partner with over 40 colleges and universities in the US and Canada. The summer workshops and residency programmes welcome practitioners from all over the world.

Providing Time, Space and Inspiration for artists in the Burren landscape

BCA’s aim is to create a learning and living environment that is conducive to artistic and personal growth. We see ourselves as both remote and connected in that our location is rural, but we are networked and associated with major art and learning institutions around the globe. Our artistic community travels, exhibits and presents research internationally.

Since the establishment of the College in 1994, hundreds of students and residents have come to BCA for the opportunity to focus intensively on their practice, to develop their minds and creative skills, to engage with our community in discourse on art in society; and to find their own artistic voice.

We provide space for reflection and introspection, but we also aim to direct the contemporary artist’s unique insight towards problems and solutions in the wider world.

The small scale of BCA lends itself to direct and experiential learning rooted in place and community. Our connections to international interdisciplinary institutions, combined with a core of creative expertise integrated in the dynamic environment and culture of the Burren, position us ideally to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.

The mission and values of Burren College of Art

• To be a hothouse for artists, led by artists – reflective and challenging; remote and connected; at the confluence of cultures.
• Respect for the individual;
• Commitment to excellence;
• Support for students and colleagues;
• Community spirit

BCA programmes

• Undergraduate Studies: 
  • Independent Study Abroad
  • Global Ecologies Studio Summer School
• Postgraduate Studies: 
  • Post- Baccalaureate in Studio Art 
  • Post- Baccalaureate in Art & Ecology
  • PGDip / MA / MFA in Studio Art
  • PG Dip / MA / MFA in Art & Ecology
  • MPhil in Fine Art
  • PhD in Studio Art
• Other programmes: 
  • Group Study Abroad Programme
  • Artist Residencies
  • Summer Workshops