Guest Residency Program

Applicants for the Guest Residency Program must: 

• want to engage with APA artists 

• be aged 18 years or above 

• be an Australian permanent resident or citizen 

• have an ABN 

• be based near or can commute to Northcote and Collingwood sites as there is no additional funding available for travel and accommodation 

• be willing to enter into an agreement with APA that outlines the terms and conditions of the residency, if successful 

• be willing to provide Current Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check (or ability to obtain both) and complete the NDIS Worker Orientation Module (60-90 minutes online) if successful. APA will reimburse costs for successful applicants. 

Artists who are already enrolled in the APA Studio program or are employed by APA are not eligible to apply. 

This opportunity is open to artists at any stage of their career. However, artists should be able to demonstrate an active practice with exhibition and public outcomes.  

Most importantly, we are looking for guest artists who thrive in a collaborative environment and are excited by the opportunity to connect with artists working across diverse abilities, experiences, and perspectives.  

Yes, we welcome applications from artists working across all media including: painting, drawing, illustration, printmaking, performance, installation, sculpture, textiles, collage, digital media, ceramics. However, applicants should ensure their practice is appropriate to the space, including open plan layouts and shared amenities. The following are not permitted in the APA Studio:   

• Use of toxic or hazardous materials 

• Materials or processes that require extraction fans 

• Materials or processes that result in hazardous waste 

• Processes, tools or equipment that emit excessive noise 

If you are unsure if your practice is suitable, please get in touch with us at: residencies@artsproject.org.au  

For the duration of the residency you will have access to:  

• 1 x desk (measuring 150x75cm) in an open, shared studio space 

• 1 x locker (measuring 40x50x20cm)    

• Secure space in a lockable room for storing materials and equipment 

• Wi-Fi access  

• Easel  

• Shared sink / cleaning facilities  

• Shared kitchenette facilities  

• photocopying / printing facilities via APA administration 

• A reset room (a soundproof space measuring 4 x 4m) for use by staff and artists in the studio when they need a break

APA also has the following facilities on site that may be accessed or used in negotiation with the appropriate specialist staff artists:   

• Print press 

• Kiln 

• Sewing machines 

The APA Studio opening hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-3pm on Saturday.  

Term dates for remainder of 2026 (when APA artists are in attendance):   

• Term 2: Monday 13 April – Saturday 27 June

• Term 3: Monday 13 July – Saturday 26 September

• Term 4: Monday 5 October – Friday 18 December

Due to health and safety regulations, successful applicants may not access the studio without staff present. During term breaks when artists are on holiday you are welcome to access the studio as staff are on site. Arts Project is closed on public holidays, and shuts down for the end of year between 24 December 2026 – 11 January 2027.  

APA’s studio is located at 24 High Street, Northcote. The studio is wheelchair accessible. It is a two-story building with a lift available to the top floor. Wheelchair accessible toilets for all genders are available on site.  

There is a wheelchair accessible parking bay located out the front for artist drop off. The studio also has a wheelchair accessible mini-bus that is frequently used for field trips to galleries and museums. 

The studio can be a vibrant space with lots of conversation at times. We encourage those with sensory needs to bring ear protection and discuss their needs with staff. A quiet room is located in the studio and is wheelchair accessible.  

Head to the visit the studio page for a virtual tour.

APA’s gallery is located at Collingwood Yards on level 1 of the Perry Street building. The gallery is accessible via the Johnson Street and Perry Street entrances. Entry 30A Perry Street is wheelchair accessible and offers direct access to the Courtyard, Perry Street Building upper ground and Johnston Street Building upper ground. 

Accessible toilets are located in the Perry Street Building, in the northern end. On the upper ground level, they are located off the northern side of the service corridor. On L1 and L2 they are located behind blue manual double doors. 

Lift access is available to visit other buildings and levels. 

Head to the visit the gallery page for more information.

If you have any questions about accessibility ahead of your submission we encourage you to email: residencies@artsproject.org.au  

Yes. This guest residency program has been designed to foster networking and skill sharing between artists.  

APA is a vibrant studio that embraces neurodiversity and celebrates creativity in all its forms. While in the studio, you will be communicating your process and ideas in ways that encourage experimentation in others. This requires patience and being open to different ways of thinking and expressing ideas. 

There is no specific requirement for you to complete a new body of work during the 6-month period, and APA does not commit to exhibiting your work at our Collingwood Yards gallery. However, at the conclusion of the residency we will host a small event at our studio to celebrate the ideas, artworks, connections and collaborations created and explored during the residency with studio artists. The artist-in-residence will be welcome to invite guests.

No. Guest artists-in-residence will be covered under APA’s insurance policies. 

APA covers the costs of materials used in delivering workshops to APA artists. Guest artists-in-residence will be encouraged to plan their workshops and demonstrations with the Studio Manager so that materials costs can be budgeted. The costs of transport, museum entry etc associated with field trips is also covered by APA. The artist-in-residence will not be expected to drive the APA mini-bus as a staff member will always be in attendance on these field trips.  

The Guest residency program is new for APA and is funded with a two-year grant from The Ian Potter Foundation. 

The guest artist-in-residence will be paid as an independent contractor and is required to have an ABN and invoice APA for payment of the residency fee. The fee will be paid in two instalments, with outcomes and deliverables to be discussed at interview and outlined in a contract.

The first payment will be made at the start of the residency on receipt of a valid invoice, and after the NDIS Worker screening check and NDIS worker orientation module (60-90 minutes online), Working with Children checks are complete. A second payment will be made 3 months later.

We are committed to building relationships with our peers in the arts sector and to promoting opportunities for artists to create, connect and learn.  

We will celebrate this program with photographic and video documentation highlighting residency benefits for artists and curators, and will share through APA’s: 

• social media 

• website news articles 

• e-newsletters 

• existing media partnerships 

Guest artists-in-residence and curators-in-residence will be asked to give testimonials and participate in documentation of the studio residency program as required.  

Applicants for the Guest Residency Program must: 

• want to engage with APA artists 

• be aged 18 years or above 

• be an Australian permanent resident or citizen 

• have an ABN 

• be based near or can commute to Northcote and Collingwood sites as there is no additional funding available for travel and accommodation 

• be willing to enter into an agreement with APA that outlines the terms and conditions of the residency, if successful 

• be willing to provide Current Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check (or ability to obtain both) and complete the NDIS Worker Orientation Module (60-90 minutes online) if successful. APA will reimburse costs for successful applicants. 

Curators who were part of our external curator program in 2024-2026, current APA staff members and studio artists are not eligible to apply. 

This opportunity is available for curators at any stage of their career. However, curators should have a formal qualification in Art History, Curatorial Studies or Fine Arts and/or at least 3 years minimum curatorial experience and be able to demonstrate an active practice with exhibition and public outcomes. 

During the residency you will be working with artists in the APA Northcote Studio, in the stockroom with the registrar and at the APA gallery in Collingwood. You will have access to:  

• 1 x desk (measuring 150x75cm) in an office within the studio 

• 1 x locker (measuring 40x50x20cm) 

• Wi-Fi access  

• database of APA artworks 

• photocopying / printing facilities via APA administration 

• studio facilities including shared kitchen 

• A reset room (a soundproof space measuring 4 x 4m) for use by staff and artists in the studio when they need a break

APA’s studio is located at 24 High Street, Northcote. The studio is wheelchair accessible. It is a two-story building with a lift available to the top floor. Wheelchair accessible toilets for all genders are available on site.  

There is a wheelchair accessible parking bay located out the front for artist drop off. The studio also has a wheelchair accessible mini-bus that is frequently used for field trips to galleries and museums. 

The studio can be a vibrant space with lots of conversation at times. We encourage those with sensory needs to bring ear protection and discuss their needs with staff. A quiet room is located in the studio and is wheelchair accessible.  

Head to the visit the studio page for a virtual tour.

APA’s gallery is located at Collingwood Yards on level 1 of the Perry Street building. The gallery is accessible via the Johnson Street and Perry Street entrances. Entry 30A Perry Street is wheelchair accessible and offers direct access to the Courtyard, Perry Street Building upper ground and Johnston Street Building upper ground. 

Accessible toilets are located in the Perry Street Building, in the northern end. On the upper ground level, they are located off the northern side of the service corridor. On L1 and L2 they are located behind blue manual double doors. 

Lift access is available to visit other buildings and levels. 

Head to the visit the gallery page for more information.

If you have any questions about accessibility ahead of your submission we encourage you to email: residencies@artsproject.org.au  

Head to the ‘visit the studio’ page for a virtual tour.

If you have any questions about accessibility ahead of your submission we encourage you to email: residencies@artsproject.org.au 

Yes. This guest residency program has been designed to foster knowledge sharing and meaningful engagement between the guest curator and artists.  

APA is a vibrant studio that embraces neurodiversity and celebrates creativity in all its forms. While in the studio, you will be learning about the work of artists with curiosity and openness. You will be exposed to different ways of thinking and expressing ideas and this will influence how you collaborate with artists, and build accessibility into your curatorial practice.  

No. The $30,000 is the fee paid to the guest curator-in-residence to work on research, writing and exhibition development in the APA studio around 2 days per week, over the course of a year. Superannuation is paid in addition to the $30,000 fee ( + 12%).  

You will have access to an additional $5,000 production budget for your exhibition. All exhibition expenses are approved by the APA Curator and Gallery Manager. 

The guest curator-in-residence will be paid as an independent contractor and is required to have an ABN and invoice APA for payment of the residency fee. The fee will be paid in quarterly instalments, with outcomes and deliverables to be discussed at interview and outlined in a contract.

The first payment will be made at the start of the residency on receipt of a valid invoice, and after the NDIS Worker screening check and NDIS worker orientation module (60-90 minutes online), Working with Children checks are complete.

The Guest residency program is new for APA and is funded with a two-year grant from The Ian Potter Foundation. 

We are committed to building relationships with our peers in the arts sector and to promoting opportunities for artists to create, connect and learn.  

We will celebrate this program with photographic and video documentation highlighting residency benefits for artists and curators, and will share through APA’s: 

• social media 

• website news articles 

• e-newsletters 

• existing media partnerships 

Guest curators-in-residence will be asked to give testimonials and participate in documentation of the studio residency program as required.