Organizer Information

Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf is the flagship cultural venue of Woollahra Municipal Council, located in a heritage-listed harbourside building in Double Bay, Sydney. Established in November 2021, the Gallery functions as a dynamic civic arts hub dedicated to advancing contemporary artistic practice, fostering cultural development, and broadening public engagement with the arts. The Gallery delivers a diverse annual program that includes curated exhibitions, council-produced art prizes—most notably the internationally recognised Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize—artist-led initiatives, talks, workshops, and educational activities. Through its Artist in Residence (AIR) Program, the Gallery provides structured professional development opportunities while strengthening relationships between artists and the Woollahra local community. The Gallery operates under a transparent and strategic cultural framework aligned with Council objectives and best-practice standards. It prioritizes representation, accessibility, and inclusion, supporting local artists, First Nations practitioners, young creatives, and artists with diverse access needs. Woollahra Council is also a Child Safe Organisation, embedding NSW Child Safe Standards across its operations.

Title & Description

Artist in Residence Program – July 2026 to June 2027
The Artist in Residence (AIR) Program offers six non-residential studio residencies across three four-month periods between July 2026 and June 2027. Selected artists receive rent-free access to one of two professional studio spaces within the Gallery’s Cultural Hub. Residency Periods:
  • 6 July – 25 October 2026
  • 2 November 2026 – 21 February 2027
  • 1 March – 20 June 2027
Two artists will undertake residencies concurrently during each period. The program supports artists in researching and developing new work within a historic cultural environment. In exchange for studio access, residents must:
  1. Participate in one Open Studio event.
  2. Design and deliver a Community Engagement Project aligned with specific civic and cultural objectives.
The residency is structured as both a studio development opportunity and a community-facing initiative that integrates artistic practice with public benefit.

Categories

The program is interdisciplinary and open to practitioners working across:
  • Visual Arts
  • Performance
  • Music
  • Theory and interdisciplinary practice
  • Community-engaged art
  • Experimental and cross-disciplinary projects

Eligibility

Applicants must:
  • Be aged 18 years or older
  • Have the legal right to live and work in Australia
  • Hold a valid Working with Children Check
  • Hold Public Liability Insurance for the residency period
Group applications are permitted, but one nominated representative must act as the primary contact. The program particularly encourages applications from:
  • Local artists
  • Young creatives
  • First Nations individuals and organisations
  • Artists with diverse access needs
This is a national opportunity (Australia-based eligibility requirement).

Program Benefits & Awards

Each selected artist receives:
  • Rent-free studio space for four months
  • $1,600 AUD (incl. GST) artist fee
  • Access to Wi-Fi, accessible facilities, and gallery infrastructure
  • Promotional support via Gallery and Council channels
  • Professional exposure through Open Studio events
  • Potential access to Council grant programs
Artists may also apply separately to Woollahra Council’s Cultural Grants Program (23 March – 3 May 2026 round) to support expanded project costs. While the $1,600 fee may be used flexibly, artists are responsible for materials, labour, travel, accommodation, and community project costs (unless partially offset through ticketing or grants).

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:
  • Artist CV
  • Biography
  • Description of artistic practice
  • Proposal for studio residency
  • Detailed Community Engagement Project proposal
  • Budget (including alternative funding scenarios if applicable)
  • Supporting visual material (images or documentation of past work)
  • Indication of preferred studio (Studio 1 or Studio 2, or no preference)
Proposals must clearly articulate artistic merit, feasibility, and alignment with community objectives.

How to Apply?

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 15 March 2026
  • Residency Periods:
  • 6 July – 25 October 2026
  • 2 November 2026 – 21 February 2027
  • 1 March – 20 June 2027

Location

Double Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Additional Details

Community engagement is central to this residency. Projects must address at least one of the following:
  • Truth-telling related to First Nations culture, language, and history
  • Building cultural literacy and local historical/environmental awareness
  • Engagement of children, families, schools, and young people
The Open Studio event is typically scheduled on a Saturday afternoon and supported operationally by Gallery staff. Artists retain copyright of their work and images. Participation in promotional activities is expected. Artists are responsible for securing:
  • Travel and accommodation
  • Insurance
  • Materials and equipment
  • Community project execution
The selection process is conducted by a panel including Gallery staff and an independent assessor. Assessment criteria include artistic merit, feasibility, local relevance, and clarity of the community engagement proposal.

Website Link: https://www.woollahragallery.com.au/Artists/Artists-in-Residence