Studio Program

The studio is equipped with professional-grade materials and equipment. Every artist who joins starts with painting and drawing. But that’s just the beginning! If you attend more than once a week (and there’s space), you can dive into: 

• Ceramics 

• Printmaking 

• Zine making 

• Photography 

• Video art 

•  Animation 

• Professional Practice program (art theory) 

• Extended Practice (soft sculpture, textile art, digital art) 

• Life drawing  

In the APA studio art is not taught. Instead, we foster and nurture the creative direction of each artist to develop their own personal practice and style. Our staff act as artist assistants, facilitators and mentors, working within a peer-to-peer exchange model supporting the creative growth of each artist. They’ll help set creative goals, guide you through new techniques, and support you every step of the way.  

APA also has a professional gallery team who work behind the scenes to find amazing local, national, and international creative opportunities for our artists and take care of your building portfolio of works.   

Several of our artists have developed strong artistic careers and feature in national and international exhibitions, art fairs, art prizes and residencies. 

At a minimum, one of your artworks will be included in our annual gala exhibition each year. Many of our artists exhibit more frequently, both in the Arts Project gallery and at external venues across Australia and internationally, depending on their portfolio and level of experience. We also have our Northcote project space as a platform for emerging artists to present work throughout the year.  

Other professional development opportunities available to artists include: 

• field trips 

• skills workshops 

• portrait sittings 

• collaborative projects with other contemporary artists 

APA is a space for neurodivergent artists and artists living with intellectual disability. You don’t need any prior experience as an artist to join. We have many artists who started with no previous creative background who have gone on to have professional arts careers.   

APA affirms the rights of people with disability to self-identify how they choose. We acknowledge that language is ever-evolving and varies in use across cultures and societies. Artists who attend APA  may identify as (but are not limited to) the following:   

• Autistic/Autistics   

• People with Down syndrome   

• People with acquired brain injuries   

• People living with an intellectual disability/who are intellectually disabled   

• People living with developmental disability/who are developmentally disabled  

Arts Project Australia is a registered National Disability Insurance (NDIS) organisation. APA runs NDIS Programs of Support. The vast majority of people who attend do so using their core support budget. Some artists also use Transport Accident Commission or Continuity of Support funding. We understand that funding can be complex and that not everyone has the same access or support. If you’re unsure about your funding options, please get in touch, we are happy to discuss what might be possible. 

Interested in enrolling, or still unsure if it’s right for you? We’d love to chat or show you around! Contact us with questions or to book a time to visit the studio.   

The studio programs run from our Northcote location in term blocks in line as close as possible with the Victorian school year. The weekday program offers professional development opportunities building towards gallery representation. The Saturday recreational program differs slightly from our weekday program. Also offered at our Northcote Studio, it is perfect for those wanting to try their hand at making while connecting with the APA community, making friends and considering long-term artistic goals without receiving gallery representation.  

• Weekday studio program runs Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3:30pm 

• Saturday recreational program 10.00am – 3pm 

Term dates for 2026

• Term 1: Monday 12 January – Saturday 28 March 

• Term 2: Monday 13 April – Saturday 27 June 

• Term 3: Monday 13 July – Saturday 26 September 

• Term 4: Monday 5 October – Friday 18 December 

Please note, Arts Project is closed on public holidays. Studio artists will be notified of any closures or changes to these dates.