Apply Now: Bluestone Church Arts Space Residency Program (Australia)

Deadline: 04-Oct-2026

The Bluestone Church Arts Space Residency Program offers performing artists in Melbourne’s West an opportunity to develop or present new work with financial and in-kind support. Hosted by Arts & Culture Maribyrnong, the programme supports artists at different stages of the creative process through Creative Development and Supported Season residencies in 2027. The programme aims to encourage the creation and presentation of original works while contributing to the arts community of Melbourne’s West.

About the Bluestone Church Arts Space Residency Program

The residency programme provides performing artists with access to the Bluestone Church Arts Space along with financial, technical, and marketing support. Artists can apply for either a Creative Development residency or a Supported Season residency, depending on the stage and purpose of their work. The programme supports the development of new work as well as public presentation of productions. Creative Development Residencies Creative Development residencies are designed for artists who need time and resources to develop their work.

Successful residents receive:

- Up to two weeks of in-kind access to the Bluestone Church Arts Space. - A $2,000 stipend for artist fees or production costs. - Technical equipment hire. - Marketing support. Artists are encouraged to share their work-in-progress with the community during their residency. Supported Season Residencies Supported Season residencies provide artists with venue and production support to present their work to audiences.

Successful residents receive:

- One to three weeks of venue access. - A stipend of up to $8,000 toward production costs. - A dedicated theatre technician for technical rehearsal. - Full box office takings for the production. - Technical equipment hire. - Marketing support for the season. - One Front of House staff member for Supported Season events. The venue’s bar is managed by Maribyrnong Arts & Culture. Funding and In-Kind Support The programme combines direct financial support with access to venue and technical resources. Creative Development residents can receive a $2,000 stipend, while Supported Season residents can receive up to $8,000 toward production costs. In-kind support such as venue access, equipment hire, technical assistance, and marketing support further helps artists develop or present their work. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include performing artists who live or work in Melbourne’s West.

Eligible artistic disciplines include:

- Performers. - Dancers. - Musicians. - Multi-disciplinary artists. Priority is given to applicants with strong connections to the City of Maribyrnong. Original Work The programme favours presentations of original work. Artists proposing new creative works or original productions are therefore encouraged to demonstrate how their project will contribute to the arts community of Melbourne’s West. Residency Requirements Successful residents must meet several requirements during and after their residency.

Residents must:

- Provide a written evaluation after the residency. - Provide images after the residency. - Acknowledge the City of Maribyrnong in future performances. - Pay a refundable $200 security bond. - Provide evidence of public liability insurance of at least $10 million. These requirements apply as part of participation in the residency programme. Written Evaluation and Images Residents must provide a written evaluation after completing their residency. They must also provide images documenting the residency or associated work. These materials form part of the post-residency requirements. Acknowledgement of the City of Maribyrnong Residents are required to acknowledge the City of Maribyrnong in future performances. This recognition forms part of the programme’s requirements for participating artists. Security Bond Successful residents must provide a refundable $200 security bond. The bond is a participation requirement for artists undertaking a residency. Public Liability Insurance Applicants must provide evidence of public liability insurance of at least $10 million. This insurance requirement applies to artists participating in the residency programme. Community Engagement Creative Development residents are encouraged to share their work-in-progress with the local community during their stay. This creates an opportunity for audiences and community members to engage with work while it is still being developed. Marketing and Technical Support Both residency streams include marketing support and technical equipment hire. Supported Season residents additionally receive a dedicated theatre technician for technical rehearsal, helping artists prepare their production for presentation. Key Facts About the Bluestone Church Arts Space Residency Program

- Programme: Bluestone Church Arts Space Residency Program

- Host: Arts & Culture Maribyrnong

- Location: Melbourne’s West

- Residency year: 2027

- Residency types: Creative Development and Supported Season

- Creative Development venue access: Up to two weeks

- Creative Development stipend: $2,000

- Creative Development support: Technical equipment hire and marketing support

- Supported Season venue access: One to three weeks

- Supported Season stipend: Up to $8,000 toward production costs

- Supported Season support: Theatre technician, technical equipment hire, marketing support, and one Front of House staff member

- Box office: Supported Season residents receive full box office takings

- Eligible artists: Performers, dancers, musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists

- Geographic eligibility: Artists who live or work in Melbourne’s West

- Priority: Strong connections to the City of Maribyrnong

- Preferred work: Original work

- Security bond: Refundable $200

- Insurance requirement: Public liability insurance of at least $10 million

- Post-residency requirements: Written evaluation and images

- Future acknowledgement: City of Maribyrnong must be acknowl