Established in 2016 the EMERGE Exhibition & Awards by Cork Craft & Design (CCD) is a platform of support for graduate makers and one of the core events of the annual August Cork Craft Month, now in its 14th year.

This EMERGE Exhibition 2023 is curated by art historian, arts manager and curator, Ayşegül Yüzel.

THE EXHIBITION

The exhibition showcases selected works of graduating students from Cork including Crawford College of Art & Design, Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, St. John’s Central College, West Cork Campus Skibbereen subsidiary of the Cork College of Commerce, and Kinsale College.

2023 - Selected Exhibitors

2023 EMERGE Winner - Chris Tuohy

This exhibition and Award offers to the new graduates an initial opportunity to work with a professional curator and their first exhibition post-graduation. The 2023 EMERGE Exhibition will be showcased at the historic building of 46 Grand Parade, overlooking one of Cork's most prominent public spaces.

For the year 2023, we are delighted to have all our wonderful partners reunite with Cork Craft & Design in order to support and nurture emerging graduates from the five art colleges in Cork city and county.

Cork Craft & Design is a social enterprise working with talented makers from the Cork area for the last 16 years, providing opportunities, promoting and growing the craft & design sector both nationally and internationally.

Friends of Crawford Art Gallery is an independent support group for The Crawford Art Gallery. The Friends’ aim is to promote awareness of the gallery, its collection and exhibitions and to foster a sustained interest in all aspects of art, culture and heritage.

Benchspace is a creative hub and an incubation space for new creative businesses in Cork City. It is the first co-making space of its kind in Ireland, located in the former Ford factory in Cork.

Proudly supported by MTU Arts Office, with venue support from MTU Gallery at 46 Grand Parade. Gallery located at the MTU Crawford College of Art & Design building at 46 Grand Parade, Cork City. 

THE AWARD

One graduate from each college is selected to receive the EMERGE Award. This award comprises of:

● Twelve month membership with Friends of Crawford Art Gallery

● Twelve month membership with Cork Craft & Design

● Three months of retail experience (selling the artist’s work in the Cork Craft & Design Douglas store)

● Three one to one business mentoring sessions with CCD Manager.

From the graduates selected from the five colleges, a single overall winner is chosen to receive: The Friends of Crawford Art Gallery & EMERGE Exhibition Award

This includes a 6 month studio space & maker supported programme with Benchspace, Cork.