Open Call: West Footscray Writer in Residence Program (Australia)

Deadline: 04-Oct-2026

The West Footscray Writer in Residence Program is a new initiative by Arts and Culture Maribyrnong supporting writers connected to Melbourne’s West or the City of Maribyrnong. The program offers a four-week artistic residency and a $1,000 stipend to help writers develop their creative work while engaging with the local community. The residency is based at West Footscray Library and West Footscray Neighbourhood House, providing selected writers with a dedicated working environment, access to library resources, and opportunities to connect with local residents and community programs.

About the West Footscray Writer in Residence Program

The program has been established to provide local writers with dedicated time and space to develop their creative practice. By embedding a writer within community spaces, Arts and Culture Maribyrnong aims to create opportunities for both artistic development and community connection. The four-week residency allows the selected writer to work on their project while drawing inspiration from the local area and interacting with the programs and communities surrounding the residency venues. What Does the Residency Offer? The selected writer will receive several forms of support during the four-week residency.

Key benefits include:

- A four-week artistic residency - A $1,000 stipend - Private working space - Access to library resources - Marketing support - Opportunities to engage with the local community - A platform to develop creative work inspired by the local area The stipend can be used to support artist fees and/or material costs associated with public programs. Community Engagement Requirement Community connection is an important part of the residency. The selected writer will be expected to engage with the programs and activities of the West Footscray Neighbourhood House and West Footscray Library. Applicants should be prepared to offer at least one community engagement activity during their residency.

Examples may include:

- A creative writing workshop - A public reading - Another suitable community-focused literary activity This requirement is intended to create benefits for both the resident writer and the local community. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The program is open to writers of all forms and styles who have a connection to Melbourne’s West or the City of Maribyrnong.

Applicants can be eligible if they:

- Live in Melbourne’s West - Work in Melbourne’s West - Study in Melbourne’s West - Can demonstrate a connection to the City of Maribyrnong The opportunity is therefore open to writers working across different literary forms and creative styles, provided they meet the relevant local connection requirement. What Kind of Writers Is the Program Looking For? The residency welcomes writers across different forms and styles. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in: - Developing their creative work - Drawing inspiration from the local area - Working within a community setting - Connecting with local residents - Contributing to community programming - Sharing their work through an engagement activity Writers should consider how the residency environment could contribute to their artistic development and how their presence could benefit the local community. How the Residency Supports Creative Development Having dedicated time and a private working space can give writers an opportunity to focus on developing their work. Access to library resources can also provide useful research and creative inspiration, while the local setting offers opportunities to explore themes, stories, people, and experiences connected to Melbourne’s West and Maribyrnong. The residency therefore combines individual artistic development with community engagement. How the $1,000 Stipend Can Be Used The selected writer will receive a $1,000 stipend to support artist fees and/or material costs related to public programs. This funding can help the resident deliver their required community engagement activity and support associated creative or material needs. Applicants should consider how the stipend could contribute to a meaningful public program that complements their creative practice. Why Community Connection Matters The West Footscray Writer in Residence Program is not only designed to provide writers with a place to work. It also aims to strengthen connections between writers and the communities in which they are based. By working from West Footscray Library and West Footscray Neighbourhood House, the resident writer becomes part of existing community spaces and has opportunities to interact with local programs and participants. This can create a two-way exchange in which the writer gains inspiration and community connections while residents gain access to literary and creative activities. How to Prepare a Strong Application Eligible writers should clearly demonstrate their connection to Melbourne’s West or the City of Maribyrnong.

A strong application should also explain:

- The type of writing the applicant undertakes - The creative work they want to develop - Why the residency would benefit their practice - How the local area could inspire their work - Their interest in community engagement - The type of workshop, reading, or other activity they could deliver - How they would contribute to the Library and Neighbourhood House environment Applicants should present a clear connection between their creative goals, the residency setting, and the community engagement component. Key Facts About the West Footscray Writer in Residence Program

- Program: West Footscray Writer in Residence Program

- Initiative by: Arts and Culture Maribyrnong

- Location: West Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria

- Residency length: Four weeks

- Stipend: $1,000

- Residency venues: West Footscray Library and West Footscray Neighbourhood House

- Working facilities: Private working space and library resources

- Additional support: Marketing support

- Eligible applicants: Writers of all forms a