Background
Backwater Artists Group was founded in 1990 by graduates of the Crawford College of Art and Design. It has always been our aim to provide safe and secure studio space for artists wishing to remain and work in Cork city. The group studios are located in the Wandesford Quay complex along with Cork Printmakers & The Fenton Gallery, between Sharman Crawford Street and Clarke's Bridge. There are a total of 27 studios, 21 of which are Painting/Mixed Media and 6 Sculpture.

Backwater caters for over thirty artists, ranging from the more established to the emerging. We are an artist-run organisation with an artist-led Board of Directors who are dedicated to improving the working conditions and support structures for visual artists and to this end we provide access to computer, framing and photography facilities, all of which are necessary to the establishment of a professional art practice. In keeping with our ethos we award two six-month Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursaries to graduates of the Crawford College annually to assist them in the transition from student to professional artist.

Mission Statement
The Backwater Artists Group is dedicated to providing studios of a professional standard for Visual Artists. It is an equal opportunities Art facility. It is committed to addressing issues concerning the practice of Visual Arts and to promoting improved conditions for Artists.

Artistic Aims & Objectives
Backwater Artists Group provides safe and secure studio space for Visual Artists. We strive to improve working conditions and support structures for visual artists both in house and in the larger Artistic community. We aim to ease the transition from student to professional practising artist. To further provide access to equipment and training and act as a vital information point for artists.

In summary we aim to foster and promote the Visual Arts in Cork by securing Backwater Artists Group as a centre of excellence for the production of visual art, with its own exchange and outreach programmes.