Top Art Residencies in Australia
5 Residency Opportunities for Visual Artists in 2025
Australia offers some exceptional artist residencies that provide visual artists with dedicated space, support, and time to focus on their practice. These programs foster creative growth through funding, studio facilities, mentorship, and community engagement in inspiring settings. From urban art centers to remote retreats, each residency below presents unique opportunities for emerging and established artists to develop their work. Below are five of the best residencies in Australia, open to visual artists and offering transformative development experiences.
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#1 Artspace Sydney Studio Program (Sydney, NSW)
Artspace runs a prestigious studio residency in Sydney, offering residencies of up to two years for visual artists. Selected artists receive free studio space in central Sydney and benefit from critical support and professional development opportunities. The program fosters experimentation and collaboration, connecting artists with visiting curators and an international peer network. As Australia’s leading contemporary art space, Artspace’s residency is highly sought after and is regarded as one of the nation’s best for nurturing innovative artistic practice.
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#2 Gertrude Contemporary Studio Program (Melbourne, VIC)
Gertrude Contemporary offers a two-year studio residency in Melbourne that supports 16 artists at a time (eight new artists are accepted each year). Residents are provided with dedicated studio spaces in Gertrude’s gallery complex and gain mentorship, peer support, and exposure through group exhibitions. The program is geared toward key moments in an artist’s career, embracing diverse art practices and an intergenerational mix of emerging and mid-career artists. Established in 1985, Gertrude’s studio residency has launched the careers of hundreds of artists, making it one of Australia’s most respected and competitive residencies for contemporary visual art.
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#3 Bundanon Artist-in-Residence Program (Shoalhaven, NSW)
The Bundanon residency program is set on a 1,000-hectare rural property and offers artists an immersive retreat in the Australian bush. Residencies range from one to eight weeks, during which artists are given free accommodation and studio facilities on-site. With over 250 artists hosted annually, it is the largest program of its kind in Australia. Bundanon’s unique natural setting along the Shoalhaven River provides tranquility and inspiration, allowing artists to experiment and develop their work away from everyday distractions. Thanks to its generous support (a legacy of artist Arthur Boyd’s gift to the public) and partnerships with arts organizations, Bundanon is regarded as a top residency that fosters creative exploration and collaboration in a truly special environment.
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#4 Fremantle Arts Centre Residency (Fremantle, WA)
Located in a historic arts hub in Western Australia, the Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC) hosts a renowned residency program for local and international visual artists. The Centre provides up to 11 studios on site, with residency terms of 1, 3, or 6 months and no studio rental costs. For artists coming from outside the region, an apartment is provided in addition to a studio, ensuring a supportive live/work environment. During the residency, artists can engage with FAC’s vibrant community, present open studios, and connect with peers and audiences through the centre’s exhibitions and events. With its combination of free facilities, coastal heritage setting, and inclusive creative community, the Fremantle Arts Centre residency stands out as one of Australia’s best artist residencies, known for fostering artistic exchange and innovation.
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#5 The Farm Margaret River Residency (Margaret River, WA)
The Farm Margaret River offers a fully-funded residency in a unique rural setting famed for its natural beauty. Each year, one visual artist (or collective) is awarded a 5–8 week residency on the farm, including a A$7,500 stipend, a self-contained studio accommodation on the property, and mentorship with connections to major arts organizations. The program supports site-responsive projects, encouraging artists to engage with the land and local community. Artists have access to a gallery, workshop facilities, and the surrounding bushland and vineyards, providing an inspiring backdrop for creative research and experimentation. Now in its eighth year, this residency has quickly gained recognition for its generous support and its focus on environmental engagement, making it one of the most distinctive and rewarding artist residencies in Australia.
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