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Key information
Key dates
Applications close: Sunday 30 November at 5pm.
Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 8 December and applicants are required to accept or decline the offer by Monday 15 December.
Onsite information sessions/studio inspections:
- Primrose Park – October TBA
- Alfred Street – 16 November, 12pm to 5pm
- First Nations led session - TBA
Residencies commence:
- Primrose Park – February 2026
- Coal Loader – February 2026
- Alfred Street – March 2026
All residencies are for a fixed 12-month period.
Usage restrictions
While all art forms will be considered, the following are not permitted in Council operated spaces:
- use of toxic or hazardous materials
- materials or processes that require extraction fans
- materials or processes that result in hazardous waste
- processes, tools, equipment that emit excessive noise
Fees and charges
- Alfred Street and Primrose Park Studio rent is $45 per week payable in quarterly instalments
- The Coal Loader is offered free of charge
- A refundable key bond $200
Why apply
Creative practitioners benefit from:
- A program that values and supports diverse creative practices
- A dedicated, partially subsidised studio space for 12 months
- Paid opportunities to share their work with the community for example, through artist talks, panels and presentations
- Access to a Council funded, structured professional development program that may include, skills sessions, professional headshots, structured visiting artist or curator programs and support in planning and delivering public programs
- Opportunity to develop work and contribute to the creative life of North Sydney
What’s expected of successful applicants
- Enter into an agreement with Council that outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy.
- Deliver at least one public program outcome (e.g. open studio, workshop, talk or other project) with support from Council’s Creative Projects team
- A willingness to contribute to the cultural life of the local government area
- Engagement with the offered professional development opportunities
- Commitment to attend the studios regularly
- Respect for the shared nature of the studios and the local communities surrounding each site
- Evidence current public liability insurance ($20 million)
- A current NSW Working with Children Check
All studios can be accessed 7 days a week between the hours of 7am and 9pm. Overnight stay in the studio is not permitted.
Who can apply
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.
- Artists working collaboratively as part of a collective (one person will need to submit the application on behalf of the collective)
While all art forms and disciplines will be considered the type of work produced must be conducive to the open plan nature of spaces and not disturb other tenants in the studios or the adjoining commercial tenants. The following are not permitted in Council operated spaces:
- use of toxic or hazardous materials
- materials or processes that require extraction fans
- materials or processes that result in hazardous waste
- processes, tools, equipment that emit excessive noise
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.
- Applicants operating a commercial business.
Assessment criteria
The selection panel will review all applications and assess each based on the following criteria.
- Artistic vision and commitment - the applicant demonstrates a clear, sustained commitment to an artistic practice and is actively pursuing an artistic career 20%
- Artistic merit - strength, quality and originality of work and ideas, as demonstrated in the overall quality of the application and supplied support material 20%
- Value of residency - applicant articulates the value of residency and how it will support professional development 20%
- Suitability of practice - the applicant’s practice is compatible with shared studio use 15%
- Use - applicant demonstrates commitment to attend the studio regularly 10%
- Contribution to the North Sydney community and cultural life - the applicant’s potential to engage with the community through Council's programs 15%
The selection panel comprises staff from North Sydney Council's Arts, Events & Library Service Unit.
How to apply
Please read the following information carefully before applying:
Applicants are requested to consider other commitments before applying for a residency. Deferral of tenancy of start dates are not possible.
Successful applicants notified by Monday 8 December. These applicants are required to accept/decline their residency place by Monday 15 December.
Final residency and studio allocation is at the discretion of North Sydney Council, taking into consideration all the successful applicants’ needs.