Location
  • Ireland
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Need-based funding, Payment plans, BIPOC funding

Program Details

Activities
City Exploring Cycling Sightseeing
Timeframe
Fall Winter
Housing
Guesthouse
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
21

Pricing

Starting Price
16975
Price Details
Our fee includes meals, accommodation, art materials, travel expenses while in Ireland, entry fees, and instruction.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals Park Fees Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Art Supplies
Instruction

What's Not Included
Airfare
Mar 12, 2025
Apr 17, 2025
37 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

FieldWorks is a semester-long gap year art program for students ages 18 to 21. This enriching program gives students with a passion for visual art an opportunity to make new artwork in a remarkable location while being challenged to approach their creative practice from new perspectives. Our carefully considered curriculum informs the experience of living on the O’Gorman family farm, where our ancestors have worked the land for almost 300 years. While gaining independence in various aspects of life, our students learn how creating art will help them reflect on their place in the world, guiding their curiosities, whatever their chosen career path.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Receive guidance from accomplished professional artists who will help you create personally meaningful artwork.
  • Realise independence in various aspects of life, from creating art to nurturing yourself and others with compassion, care, and curiosity.
  • Discover how art can help you think about your place in the world, and guide your interests and future pursuits.
  • Travel weekly throughout Ireland, exploring Dublin, Galway, Cork, and other charming, less-visited locations.
  • Live on the O'Gorman family farm and enjoy delicious home cooked food :)

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
-

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 27 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 27 reviews
Default avatar
Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best art program

This program is hands-down incredible. Rosie and Frank have created a space where art is explored in multiple ways, where the young artists skills are nurtured, and where the students are both supported and encouraged to create outside of their comfort zone. Our daughter did her gap year here before applying to colleges. She loved every part of the program. The readings, the assignments, the critiques, the listing artists, the explorations around Ireland, and last, but not least, the Cow House facilities, food and most importantly, the other students. After this program she applied to art schools and was accepted into every one she applied to. I can't thank Rosie and Frank enough.

Pros
  • So much time to make art and work in a studio
  • Great teachers
  • Being with people who love art
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Bethsebah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Community

I spent three weeks in the summer when I was 13, six years later I attended the gap year programme, and it changed the trajectory of my studies. Rosie and Frank are wonderful, empathetic, and caring hosts. The whole family creates an ecosystem supported by passion. Not only do they accommodate everyones needs, but they also really care about each student to have a beneficial experience, that contributes to their wellbeing and artistic development. The stay, food, art, and people facilitate the ideal atmosphere to learn and be creative. There is nothing one needs to worry about besides the thought of having to leave again.

Not only does the gap year programme immerse you into your own creativity, but you learn about Irish culture, get to meet amazing established artists, and you will see the most beautiful places. We travelled to Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Galway, Kilkenny, and the Aran Islands. During those trips we would meet the most wonderful people and it wouldn't be even always art related. What they all had in common was the passion and care they were putting into their daily life. This was one of the most formative aspects of the experience: learning how people managed a life driven by passion, care, and communal support.

I am very grateful for the CowHouse family for letting me into their life, be part of a beautiful community, and gently stirring me onto my artistic path.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be open to dwell in your art, connect to new people and characters and step away from your daily life
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Njeri
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Way More Than Just an Art Program

After 3 incredible months, I can say that intentionality and thoughtfulness are at every corner and inch of this program - the space it's in, the nature I became a part of, the way we 12 students and then friends all shared rooms, lived and ate together routinely, starting our everyday filling our sketchbooks in the absence of our phones, enrichening trips all over Ireland and the emphasis on Irish culture and history.

After a busy summer back home, having the dedicated time and space to create art while being with the most different of personalities, artists and teachers helped me slow down, be introspective and be present in a way I hadn’t before (and I’ve been trying to embrace even after leaving).

Not only did I get the space to explore different mediums for the first time, having never worked with oils, collage or in the darkroom before which I absolutely adored, but I also discovered through our video making workshops my connection to Film and Video and that those are what I want to more seriously explore and pursue in the future. But what I think I most treasure within my art practice, is that Cow House through the workshops, feedback sessions, critiques and care of Frank, Rosie and Róisín and my other dear 11 is that I discovered what made my art distinctly mine: honesty.

Even though this is an art program, I came to Cow House as someone interested in the arts as well as history and the social sciences, something I have also chosen to continuously pursue. I think I really got the space to weave in all my interests and the things I care about, and felt encouraged by my teachers to explore both. Art doesn’t exist apart from the world, and I think the holistic approach of Cowhouse, for example, addressing environmental issues, nature conservation and how this intersects with the arts, makes this program so distinctly powerful and eye-opening.

I'm so incredibly grateful for the opportunity I was given and carry it with me as I move through life, now as a college student.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Though this definitely isn't the most important thing (the others have already given greatttt advice!), I don't think I've ever eaten so much good food consistently for a long period of time as I did at Cow House, so enjoy it while it lasts!
Pros
  • All the nature around!! A chance to slow down and breath
  • The most rainbows I've seen in my whole life, love love love
  • Traveling all over and learning about Ireland (you bet I'll be back soon)
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Luca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable!!

The three months I spent at Cow House were absolutely unforgettable!! I had always known I wanted to take a gap year after finishing high school, and when I found out about Cow House Studios I had a hard time believing it was real. The community there is unlike any other, and one I have missed dearly ever since returning home! Getting to spend every day making art with people so dedicated, talented, and knowledgeable was a dream come true! It was beyond inspiring and I learned so so much from everyone there! I know going abroad can be a big step and at times an overwhelming and nerve-racking prospect, but if you are worried, don't be! Everyone is so open and welcoming and you will feel right at home in no time. It was the longest I had ever been away from home, and the first time I had traveled internationally by myself, but my worries evaporated as soon as I got there. Cow House really is one big family and you can feel it! I was only able to attend because of the scholarships they offer so if you are in that same boat don't be afraid apply! I know it sounds overwhelming and like a lot of work, but it is absolutely worth it. It is truly and one of a kind experience! I made so many life long friends and memories that I will never forget, and I cannot express how lucky I feel to be a part of the Cow House family :)

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take it all in!! Even when you're hiking and it's torrentially down pouring on you (this will happen) enjoy every minute of it because this experience may only ever happen once. Spend all the time you can in the studio and take advantage of every opportunity or you will regret it. When you're three months is over, and you're piled in the bus on your way back to the airport make sure there isn't anything you wish you had done more fully than you did. Give everything your all, keep an open mind, learn loads, laugh lots, don't hesitate to try new things, and if you're ever thinking about not swimming in the lake... think again :)
Pros
  • Incredible community!
  • Sooo much time for art!
  • Am I allowed to say everything...
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Fox
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nothing else like it

Honestly, I don’t think there is another program like Cowhouse Studios. The art program is detailed and extensive, and it feels like learning everything you would in an entire year at an art school, all while being in one of the most beautiful and magical places in the world, and having dedicated time and space to work. It’s such a special place full of dedicated people who will make your experience there unforgettable. If you’re scared, or if you’ve never done anything like it before, no need to worry! Frank and Rosie are very accommodating and very helpful, I’m a pretty anxious person but not once did I ever feel like I had anything to worry about! And if you’re worried about costs, apply for the scholarships, I know it seems stressful or unattainable, but it isn’t! Nothing is impossible, and this program is worth the effort it takes. I personally wouldn’t have been able to attend if it weren’t for the scholarships, but I really felt like I was wanted there. Getting to go on such an amazing program with the help of any of Cowhouse Studio’s generous scholarships is an opportunity no one should pass up at the very least trying on!

I learned so much, had the most fun I’ve ever had, and did so many things I had never done, I made friends I will never forget, and created memories I will miss! I don’t think there is another art program like this one, it’s truly a special place, and if you’re thinking about it, do it! Because, In my opinion, the hardest part about this program is leaving.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If I had any advice I could give to anyone, it would be to go all the way. Give every part of the program everything you’ve got. Because it’s only going to help you! And don’t be scared! Be brave and be open minded, go in ready to do new things, you know what, go in ready to do old things in an entirely new way. Make friends, put yourself out there, talk to strangers (Don’t get kidnapped) invent a new persona if you have too but do it. Make art, take inspiration from around you, talk to the teachers, read the books… Give in to the bit! Do it for the plot!
17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Noa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Place Forever Close To My Heart

I feel so infinitely lucky to have Participated in two programs with Cow House Studios. Every single person involved in Cow House has such generosity, and a clear and refreshing view of what it is to make art, to be an artist. It's such a gift to be in this family's many generational home, and watch it change and grow. It was so amazing to have this time and space with one major prerogative: exploring what art can be to you, and devoting time and energy towards making! It's a program that attracts loving and like-minded individuals.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Every day take in the landscape in some way just breathe it in and try to preserve it in your conscious
Pros
  • Lots of time and space for creating
  • Caring Team of
  • Amazing opportunity to build a community
21 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lyman
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Three Months of Inspiration and Exploration

My time at the Cow House gap year program has been crucial for my development as an artist. Spending three months there exposed me to new mediums, artists, and tools, alongside 12 incredibly creative peers, who have now become good friends. Frank and Rosie were excellent instructors and motivators, and I know all students will appreciate their company and hospitality. The farm was situated in a beautiful location, ideal for exploration and running. I found a great deal of inspiration during my walks through the local landscape. Caitriona's food was exceptional, particularly the peanut rayu – a truly delicious sauce! Thanks to this program, I feel more confident about pursuing a career in the arts. As I explore colleges, I’m on the lookout for experiences that can match the value I found at Cow House.

~ Lyman

24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Iris
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The place I hold close to my heart

Spending three months at Cowhouse studios was one of the most important periods of my young life thus far. I was able to gain so much confidence within my photographic practice which opened up a new world to me upon returning home. Frank, Rosie, Róisín, and Caitriona (and all of the other artists who come to lead workshops) are such kind people who have so much wisdom to share. Cowhouse’s core value of community building and engagement is a practice that I will always try to uphold—from the small communtiy of family, students and mentors to the web of artists that all gravitate towards the farm. This is truly such a special place and I am eternally grateful to have spent time here.

What was your funniest moment?
My friend and I were obsessed with toast, thus we came up with a five course toast themed dinner that the group all participated in.
28 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers