Artist residencies are now one of the best ways to step back from daily pressures and focus on making work. Across Australia, they offer time, space, and new connections – from Sydney’s busy art studios to the quiet bushland of the Blue Mountains.
We reviewed the programs artists talk about most, looking at what makes each one valuable. Some provide funded accommodation, others offer free studios, and all give the chance to grow in a new environment. Here are ten best visual arts residencies this year.
#1 Bundanon Artist-in-Residence Program – Shoalhaven, NSW
Bundanon, the former property of artist Arthur Boyd, is now one of Australia’s most significant residency programs. Spread over 1,000 hectares on the Shoalhaven River, Bundanon hosts more than 250 artists each year.
Residencies run from one to eight weeks and include free accommodation and access to studios set in tranquil bushland. The emphasis here is on immersion and reflection: away from urban distractions, artists often experiment with new materials or ideas.
As the largest program of its kind in the country, Bundanon regularly collaborates with arts organisations and universities, which means participants often find themselves in dialogue with peers across disciplines.
#2 Fremantle Arts Centre Residency – Fremantle, WA
Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC) is both historic and contemporary: a 19th-century building that’s become a hub for exhibitions, music, and studio practice. Its arts residency program offers terms of one, three, or six months, with up to 11 studios available at any time.
Artists from outside the region are provided with a light-filled apartment in Fremantle’s West End, in addition to their studio space. Importantly, there are no rental costs – a rarity for residencies in city settings.
Residents engage with FAC’s lively program of exhibitions and community events, and the centre encourages open studios to foster dialogue with audiences. For many, this balance of privacy and public engagement makes Fremantle one of the most rewarding residencies in Western Australia.
#3 Hill End Artists in Residence Program – Hill End, NSW
Iconic arts village Hill End may be small, but its impact is massive. Since the 1940s, painters like Donald Friend and Russell Drysdale came here for the mining history, open skies, and rugged scenery. Over the years, the list has grown to include Sophie Cape, Josef Ber, David Perry, Peter Pinson, Amanda Penrose Hart, Peter Gardiner, Anneke Silver, Michael Bell, Kate Dorrough, Kurt Sorensen, and Ken Hutchinson – all part of the ongoing story of the Hill End artists.
Residencies were managed through Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, usually lasting four weeks or more. Artists stayed in heritage cottages such as Haefliger’s Cottage or Murrays, each with its own studio space. The program gave working artists a rare chance to immerse themselves in a place where generations before had created.
In 2022, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery decided not to renew the leases for Haefligers and Murrays, leading to the cottages being put out to tender. The news sparked wide concern: “The continuation of the successful artists-in-residence program is an important part of providing opportunities for artists,” one arts commentator said.
#4 Gertrude Contemporary Studio Program – Melbourne, VIC
Since 1985, Gertrude Contemporary has run one of Australia’s most competitive studio programs for visual artists. Sixteen artists are supported at any given time, with eight new participants accepted annually.
Residencies run for two years, providing artists with studios in Gertrude’s gallery complex in Preston South. The program combines peer networks, mentorship, and curated exhibitions, positioning residents within Melbourne’s contemporary art scene.
For many mid-career and emerging artists, Gertrude acts as a launch pad. Its alumni include some of Australia’s most successful contemporary practitioners. The mix of long-term studio access and consistent exposure makes it one of the strongest pathways for career development.
#5 The Farm Margaret River Residency – Margaret River, WA
Founded in 2017, The Farm Margaret River blends ecology and creativity. Set on a working rural property, the program emphasises site-responsive practice.
Each year, one artist or collective is awarded a fully funded 5–8-week residency, including a$7,500 stipend, studio accommodation, and mentorship connections. Studios are converted farm sheds, the Shearing Shed and Tractor Shed, surrounded by vineyards, bushland, and coastal cliffs.
The program’s reputation has grown quickly due to its environmental focus. Recent projects have engaged with local Noongar heritage, climate themes, and land art. For artists seeking a deep connection between art and nature, The Farm is unmatched.
#6 Artspace Sydney Studio Program – Sydney, NSW
Artspace remains one of the country’s most prestigious residencies. Located in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, it offers free studios to selected artists for up to two years.
The focus is on experimentation, collaboration, and professional development. Residents gain exposure to visiting curators and international peer networks. Exhibitions at Artspace often draw national attention, making this a prime environment for ambitious practitioners.
It’s also highly competitive: applications typically outnumber available places many times over. But for those selected, the experience can reshape an artist’s career trajectory.
#7 Strathnairn Arts Artist-in-Residence Program – Canberra, ACT
On the outskirts of Canberra, Strathnairn Arts offers residencies lasting one to twelve months. The site spans 9.5 hectares and houses ceramic studios, multiple kilns, and even a foundry for cast-metal work.
Artists receive a 3×4m studio overlooking the Brindabella Ranges, with the option of self-contained accommodation. Community involvement is encouraged, whether through workshops, open studios, or small exhibitions.
Strathnairn’s heritage as a ceramics hub makes it ideal for practitioners working in clay or sculpture, though it welcomes diverse disciplines. Its rural setting, combined with proximity to national institutions in Canberra, offers a rare mix of retreat and connection.
#8 The F Project Artist Residence – Warrnambool, VIC
The F Project is a volunteer-run arts organisation in Warrnambool, a regional city on Victoria’s southwest coast. Its artist residence is part of a larger arts precinct with galleries, studios, and a shop.
Residencies last two weeks or more in a large heritage house with gardens. Artists may access workshops, a printing press, and gallery spaces by arrangement.
Community engagement is central here: past projects have included murals, festivals, and parades. For artists interested in grassroots collaboration and regional culture, The F Project offers a warm, cooperative environment.
#9 Tanks Arts Centre Multi-Arts Residency Program – Cairns, QLD
Tanks Arts Centre sits on the edge of Cairns’ Botanic Gardens precinct, using converted WWII oil tanks as performance and exhibition spaces. Its residency program welcomes artists from across disciplines, including collaborations with scientists.
Accommodation is provided in a traditional Queenslander house at 5 Collins Avenue, which can host up to five people. Residencies range from two weeks to three months.
Key themes include Indigenous cultures, Asia-Pacific connections, and local community issues. Artists are also linked with Cairns’ broader cultural venues, from the Performing Arts Centre to the Court House Gallery.
#10 BigCi – Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives – Blue Mountains, NSW
BigCi is an independent, artist-run residency in the Blue Mountains. Unlike many programs, it operates on a fee-paying basis (around $300–350 per week), but offers significant support in return.
Residents stay in purpose-built studios and accommodation surrounded by bushland. BigCi is especially known for its annual Environmental Awards, which grant fully funded residencies to projects addressing ecological issues.
Since its founding by Rae and Yuri Bolotin, BigCi has built a strong international reputation. For artists pursuing environmental or cross-disciplinary work, it offers both solitude and global connections.
Editorial note: Hill End Artists in Residence Program closed in 2022. The content published here is for informational purposes only, reviewing Australian artist residencies in 2025. We are not affiliated with Bathurst Regional Art Gallery or any residency provider.