Alfred Street Artists' Studios

About Alfred Street Artists' Studios

Council is pleased to announce the reopening of Alfred Street Artists' Studios following advice from Transport for NSW and the easing of construction disruptions in the area. Alfred Street Artists’ Studios is a key part of Council’s commitment to increasing spaces for cultural and creative production and our thriving Creative Spaces program that includes studios at Primrose Park, The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, North Sydney Community Centre and the Don Bank Museum.

Alfred Street Artists' Studios offer the opportunity to work in the heart of Milsons Point on the land of the Cammeraygal people. Located at 41 Alfred St Milsons Point, the studios are close to cafes and Milsons Point Station and bus routes and a short walk Bradfield Park and Sydney Harbour foreshores.

Studios are suitable for a broad range of practices eg visual arts and craft, performance, literature, arts writers, independent curators, interdisciplinary practices, new media and emerging technologies. While all art forms will be considered, the type of work produced must be conducive to the open plan nature of the space.

As part of Council's wider Creative Spaces program, creative practitioners in the program have access to:

• low cost studio spaces
• funded, Council-organised professional development opportunities such as mentorships, studio visits or professional headshots.
• paid opportunities to take part in activities such as open studios, artist showcases, facilitate community workshops or projects, and artist talks.

These opportunities support the long term growth of creative practitioners while inviting the community to engage in shared, creative experiences. 

Key Dates

• Applications for Alfred Street Artists' Studios open Monday 23 June 2025 for the next round of 6 month residencies
• Applications close Monday 4 August 2025 at 5pm
• 6 month tenancies commence in late August 2025

On site information sessions and studio inspections 

Applicants are invited to visit the studios and speak to Council staff about the studios and creative spaces program on the following dates and times. 

Prospective applicants are invited to visit the studios and speak to Council staff about the studios and creative spaces program on the following dates and times:. 

• Onsite Saturday 5 July, 10am - 12pm 
• Onsite Saturday 19 July 10am-12pm

Inspections are not available at other times.

Studio spaces

Alfred Street Artists’ Studios provides space for up to 4 tenants.

Studio 1 can accommodate two tenants. The individual spaces in this studio are separated by a fixed partition. Each space would be suitable for a wide range of creative practices, with carpeted floors, a good amount of wall space, access to natural light and picture hanging rails.

Studio 2 is a lockable space that could accommodate one tenant. Studio 2 is a smaller space (formerly an office) and would suit a practitioner making smaller scale work or working with computer based/digital practices, literature/curation etc. Studio 2 is carpeted, has access to plenty of natural light and picture hanging rails.

Studio 3 can accommodate one tenant. This space is suitable for a wide range of creative practices. It is a carpeted, open space with access to plenty of natural light. Studio 3 would be suitable for an individual or small group/collective.

All spaces share the following facilities

• 3 x gender-neutral toilets (one accessible) 
• Small clean up space with waste trap 
• Basic Kitchenette facilities (fridge, kettle for coffee/tea making) 
• Studios are air-conditioned 

Each tenant can be provided with: 

• Foldable table/s
• Chair/s 
• 1 lockable storage cabinet 
• All other furniture/equipment is to be supplied by the tenant.

Facilities do not include wi-fi or internet access

Artforms 

Alfred Street Artists’ Studios are suitable for a broad range of practices eg visual arts, performance, literature, arts writers, independent curators, interdisciplinary practices, new media and emerging technologies. While all art forms will be considered, the type of work produced must be conducive to the open plan nature of the spaces and not disturb other tenants in the studios or the adjoining tenant. The following are not permitted in Council operated spaces:  

• use of toxic or hazardous materials 
• materials that require extraction fans or emit fumes 
• materials that result in hazardous waste 
• processes, tools and equipment that emit excessive noise 

Community engagement

As part of councils Creative Spaces program, studio tenants gain access to paid, community facing opportunities to showcase their practice and connect with our community. As part of the tenancy agreement, artists are required to participate in at least one community facing activity co-designed with Council’s Creative Programs team and aligned with our broader arts programming. All engagements are professionally remunerated at NAVA rates.

Paid oppportunities may include, open studio events and artist showcases, facilitating workshops or community-led projects, delivering artist talks or presentations.

Professional development

Council will organise and fund at least two formal professional development opportunities over the course of the residency. This may include mentorship opportunities, structured visiting artist/curator programs, professional headshot, the opportunity to work with professional writer on artist bios or statements. Exhibition or commission opportunities may also be facilitated through Council. 

Studio usage expectations

There is an expectation of high usage. Tenants are expected to use the studio space for a minimum of 3 days per week (21 hours) 

Accessibility, parking and transport 

Studios are all on one level. The building has an access ramp and there is one accessible toilet. 

Parking on site is not permitted. Metered, on street parking is available in the surrounding area. The building is next door to Milsons Point train station and a short walk North Sydney station, Milsons Point ferry wharf and bus stops. The loading bay is not currently accessible. For the information of applicants Transport for NSW works for the new cycleway are ongoing in the surrounding area, however access to the site is not compromised. 

Fees and tenancy conditions 

• Successful artists are required to enter into a licence agreement that sets out the terms and conditions of the tenancy. 
• Studios are offered for fixed 6 month term  
• The studios can be accessed seven days a week between the hours of 7am and 9pm. Overnight stay in the studio is not permitted.  
• As part of the tenancy agreement, artists are required to participate in at least one community facing activity co-designed with Council’s Creative Programs team and aligned with our broader arts programming. All engagements are professionally remunerated at NAVA rates.
• Studio rent is $45 per week payable in two instalments. A refundable bond is also payable.  
• Successful applicants require their own public liability insurance of $20 million for the period 
• Successful applicants require a current NSW Working With Children Check 
• Artists are responsible for insuring their property and contents 

Eligibility and Assessment Criteria

The selection selection panel will review all applications and assess each based on the following criteria.

• Artistic vision and professional commitment - the applicant demonstrates a clear, sustained commitment to an artistic practice and is actively pursuing an artistic career
• Artistic merit - strength, quality and originality of work and ideas, as demonstrated in the overall quality of the application and supplied support material
• Value of residency - applicant articulates the value of residency and how it will support professional development 
• Suitability of practice - the applicant’s practice is compatible with shared studio use
• Use - applicant demonstrates commitment to attend the studio regularly 
• Contribution to the North Sydney community and cultural life - the applicant’s potential to enage with the community through Council's programs

The selection panel comprises staff from North Sydney Council's Arts, Events & Library Service Unit

Eligibility 

Applications are open to creative practitioners who: 

• are aged 18 years and over 
• reside in the Northern Sydney or Greater Sydney regions. Artists living in or with a strong connection to the North Sydney local government area, or those working towards outcomes that are locally based, are especially encouraged to apply. 
• Creative practitioners at all stages of their career can apply. 

Ineligible applicants 

Artists who have participated in North Sydney Council’s studio program in the last 12 months are ineligible to apply this round unless they have a confirmed project with an outcome in North Sydney local government area.

How to apply

Key dates:

• Applications open Monday 23 June
• Applications close Monday 4 August at 5pm
• 6 month tenancies commence late August

Before applying, please review the eligibility criteria and assessment criteria, and ensure the space is suitable for your creative practice.

Applications must be submitted using the online form. Please note that the form will time out after 30 minutes, and progress cannot be saved. We recommend you prepare your answers in MS Word or similar and copy and paste into the form. To assist with this, the questions contained in the form and word limits are set out below. Please don't leave your application to the last minute, extensions will not be granted.

• Your name address and contact details. If you are applying as part of a collective or group, you need to elect one person as the main contact. 
• Provide a brief introduction to your creative practice, key themes, research areas and ideas you explore (max. 200 words). This question is about what you make and why you make the work the do
• How will the residency's resources, environment, and opportunities support your current work and your overall professional development? (max 200 words)
• Outline how you can contribute to and/or benefit from the creative communities of North Sydney and the Northern Sydney region. (max 200 words)
• Do you have any confirmed opportunities or committments coming up in the next 6 months (required) eg travel, residencies, exhibitions, events, workshops, commissions, collaborations etc
• What materials, processes and equipment will you use?
• Please indicate how many hours/days per week you aim to utilise the studio

Apply now

All applicants are required to submit the following support materials in the formats listed below. Please read this information carefully.

Tips for preparing your application

Information sessions

Prospective applicants are invited to visit the studios and speak to Council staff about the studios and creative spaces program on the following dates and times:. 

• Onsite Saturday 5 July, 10am - 12pm 
• Onsite Saturday 19 July 10am-12pm

Inspections are not available at other times.