Bluestone Church Arts Space Artist Residency Program (Australia)

These programs aim to support artists at different stages in their project’s lifecycle, whether it is a developing concept, an emerging draft, or a rehearsed production ready for its premiere season.

Categories

• The Bluestone Church Arts Space is offering two types of artist residency programs in 2025:
  • Creative Development: for artists seeking a space to develop their arts practice, and creatively develop a new work over a 2-week duration.
  • Supported Season: for artists seeking a space to present a new performance season of 1-3 weeks’ duration.

Benefits

• Arts & Culture Maribyrnong will:
  • Provide a dedicated theatre technician for an 8-hour work call on the bump in technical rehearsal day.
  •  The artistic team receives full box office takings for the production.
  • Provide in-kind access to the Bluestone Church Arts Space to successful applicants.
  • Cover the cost of hire fees for technical equipment in the facility for the duration of the residency.
  • Provide marketing support in promoting the season (alongside the artists’ own specific marketing campaign).

Funding Information

• Creative Development: Provide a stipend of $1,000 toward artist fees and or production costs.
• Supported Season: Provide a stipend of up to $5,000 toward artist fees and or production costs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications are welcome from performing artists of all disciplines who reside in Melbourne’s West (Cities of Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley, Melton or Wyndham).
• Artists who live, work, study or have deep connections to the City of Maribyrnong will be prioritised.
• Presentations of original work (devised, written, or composed by the creative team) will looked upon favourably.
• Applicants must have an active ABN or be auspiced by an Incorporated Association
• Applicants must have acquitted any previous Council grants or programs;
• Applicant must have public liability insurance to the value of no less than $10 million and working with children checks (if the project involves young people) during the project
• Applicants are encouraged to consider accessibility for team members and audiences, and are welcome to discuss this with the Arts and Culture team.

Assessment Criteria

• Creative Development:
  • A demonstrated connection to Melbourne’s West.
  • A clearly articulated project demonstrating strong artistic practice.
  • Proficiency in project management – a creative team with the demonstrated skills and relationships to successfully undertake the proposed project.
  • Clear aims and objectives for the creative development of a new work.
• Supported Season:
  • A demonstrated connection to Melbourne’s West.
  • A clearly articulated project demonstrating strong artistic practice and a presentation ready work.
  • An outcome that nurtures existing and or develops new audiences.
  • Proficiency in project management a creative team with the demonstrated skills and relationships to successfully undertake the proposed project.
  • A complete, balanced, and realistic budget.

For more information, visit Maribyrnong City Council.