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Residencies

Residencies and free studio time you can apply for yourself. The council rounds open a few times a year and have only a handful of places, so apply as soon as one opens.

Open Now

Email any timeLazy Thinking Artist Residency
Weekly, MondaysHome Base
Closes 23 OctLake House Artist Residency
Book any timeLighthouse Arts Music Room
Proposals any timeBigCi Artist Residency

Tap a residency to see what you get, who can apply and how.

A Form or an Email 5

Lazy Thinking Artist ResidencyEmail any time

Lazy Thinking, the Dulwich Hill venue and label

You getTwo to three weeks with a one-bedroom apartment, studio gear, rehearsal space, a four-hour session with producer Tim Bruniges, a gig and $300 a week. You pay your own travel.
WhoSolo artists 18 and over, at any stage, from anywhere. Bands and ensembles can't apply.
HowEmail [email protected] with a short bio, a project plan, two to four samples of your work and the dates you'd like. Put Expression Of Interest in the subject line.
WhenAny time. The Dulwich Hill venue closed on 29 August 2026 and the residency is carrying on, so ask how it runs now when you email.
Linklazythinking.com.au

Wentworth Point Music Studio ResidencyNext round January 2027

City of Parramatta, at Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library

You getFree studio time for one to two months to write, rehearse, record, mix and master.
WhoEmerging and early-career musicians 18 and over who live in Western Sydney or have a link to it. Australian citizens and permanent residents. Solo acts, bands, producers and community groups, any genre.
HowOnline form with a bio, short answers to the criteria, music samples and your technical needs. About four places a round.
WhenRound 2 runs from January to June 2027. Ask the library whether it is taking new applications: [email protected] or 02 9806 8688.
Linkcityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Burwood Creative Residency StudioWatch for Round 4

Burwood Council, at Burwood Library

You getFree use of a sound-insulated studio for five months, with an audio interface, monitors, a keyboard and a computer with Adobe software. Access is rostered, including outside library hours.
WhoAnyone 18 and over. Musicians are welcome, and you don't need to live in Burwood.
HowOnline form.
WhenRound 3 closed in July 2026. The council will post Round 4 on the same page.
Linkparticipate.burwood.nsw.gov.au

Home BaseWeekly, Mondays

Heaps Decent, at City of Sydney Creative Studios on Bathurst St

You getFree weekly studio sessions with one-on-one mentoring from working musicians in songwriting, production and recording. Gear and software are supplied.
WhoAges 15 to 25. LGBTQI+, First Nations and disabled young people get priority.
HowRegister online. Everyone who registers gets a place, but sessions book up weeks ahead.
WhenMondays, 12 to 4:30pm. Email [email protected] for this term's dates.
Linkwhatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Conscious NXT2026 intake finished

Conscious, in Campbelltown and Macarthur

You getTen sessions of mentoring in songwriting, production, performance and the business side. You write and release an original song, with artwork and press shots.
WhoAges 15 to 18 in the Macarthur region. Hip hop, rap and R&B.
HowApplication form.
WhenThe 2026 academy ran from June to August. Watch their page for the 2027 dates.
Linkconscious.org.au

An Open Call with a Panel 7

Lake House Artist ResidencyCloses 23 Oct

Lake Macquarie City Council, at Speers Point

You getA furnished house for up to six people, with a workspace. Funded residencies have paid $150 a day for seven days.
WhoIndividuals and groups, so a band can apply. The funded places are for artists from outside the Hunter.
HowApply to a panel. The 2027 to 2028 round has four funded places, plus subsidised places for artists who pay their own way.
WhenCloses on 23 October 2026. Confirm the dates with the council when you apply.
Linkarts.lakemac.com.au

Bundanon Artists in Residence2027 round closed

Bundanon, in the Shoalhaven

You getStudios, rehearsal space and accommodation at no cost to you.
WhoAll art forms including music, at any career stage. Groups can apply.
HowOpen call, chosen by a panel.
WhenThe 2027 round closed on 1 June 2026. Bundanon announces the next call on its site.
Linkbundanon.com.au

Accessible Arts and Bundanon Residency2026 round closed

Accessible Arts, at Bundanon

You getSix nights with a studio and a bursary.
Whod/Deaf and disabled artists in NSW and the ACT, musicians included.
HowApply to a panel.
WhenThe 2026 residency closed on 7 June 2026.
Linkaarts.net.au

Caroline Simpson Library Creative ResidencyWatch for the next call

Museums of History NSW, at The Mint

You getA subsidised studio for ten months. The library's collection includes sheet music.
WhoNSW creatives 18 and over, at any career stage. You need public liability insurance and two letters of support.
HowApply to a panel.
WhenThe 2026 round closed on 14 December 2025. The next call goes up on the same page.
Linkneonmarketplace.nsw.gov.au

Georges River Artist in Residence2027 to 2028 round chosen

Georges River Council

You getFree accommodation at the Carss Park artist's cottage for up to three months. There is no fee. A composer and performer held it in 2026.
WhoArtists in any form.
HowApply to a panel.
WhenThe 2027 to 2028 round has already been chosen.
Linkgeorgesriver.nsw.gov.au

Gang Gang Residencies2028 round opens April 2027

Gang Gang Residencies, at Cuttagee near Bermagui on the South Coast

You getPrivate use of a house and studio for three to six weeks. The house sleeps up to eight. There are no fees, and you pay for your own food and travel.
WhoMusicians, writers, poets, visual artists, sculptors, conservationists and other creatives, emerging or established.
HowOne call a year for four to six residencies. Join the mailing list on their site to hear when it opens. Applying is free.
WhenApplications for 2028 residencies open in April 2027. Residencies run from February to November.
Linkganggangresidencies.com

The Old School Artist in ResidenceOpens 1 April 2027

The Old School, at Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains

You getAccommodation and a studio for three or four weeks. Each resident runs one community event.
WhoMusicians and composers, writers, and visual and textile artists, emerging or established.
HowSend a proposal during the application window. Email the program through their site for the details.
WhenApplications usually open on 1 April and close on 31 May, for residencies from October to the following June.
Linkmtwilson.com.au

You Pay Your Own Way 4

Lighthouse Arts Music RoomBook any time

Hunter Writers' Centre, at Nobbys Headland in Newcastle

You getA music room with a mixer, keyboard, PA, microphones and a music stand, from 10am to 4pm. It isn't a recording studio, and there is no overnight stay. A week costs $275, or $220 for Hunter Writers' Centre members.
WhoCreatives in any discipline at any stage. Solo musicians and groups are welcome.
HowOnline form with a short description of your project. Questions go to [email protected].
WhenBookings run all year from their residency calendar.
Linklighthousearts.org.au

Ignite Studios Artist Residency2027 round opens late 2026

Northern Rivers Community Gallery, in Ballina

You getA studio and a self-contained bedsit for two to six weeks, at $300 a week.
WhoEmerging and established Australian and international creatives, music included.
HowApplication form on the gallery's site, or email [email protected].
WhenApplications for 2027 residencies open towards the end of 2026. Residencies run from February to December.
Linknrcgballina.com.au

Gunyah Artists in Residence2027 details in November

Gunyah, at North Arm Cove in Port Stephens

You getA low-cost, self-contained house for twelve days. In 2026 it cost $430, plus a $90 deposit you get back.
WhoComposers, performers, writers, visual artists and other creators, solo, in a group or with family.
HowOnline form, choosing one or two of the dates on offer.
WhenThe 2027 application details go up on their page in November.
Linkgunyah.blogspot.com

BigCi Artist ResidencyProposals any time

BigCi, at Bilpin on the edge of the Wollemi

You getAccommodation, a workspace and shared living facilities for $350 a person a week. There is no stipend.
WhoArtists in any form, alone or as a collaboration.
HowFill in the individual or collaboration application form on their site and send it well ahead of your dates.
WhenProposals are taken all year.
Linkbigci.org

By Invitation or National Round

Sydney Opera House Create Space, Phoenix Central Park, APRA AMCOS SongHubs, the 2MBS residencies, the SIMA fellowships and Creative Australia's Space to Create choose their artists through invitations, partner organisations or national rounds, so they aren't listed above.

The Generations Western Sydney Music Fellowship is the one to watch. It takes two people, and unsigned Western Sydney acts can apply directly. Applications open on 19 October and close on 16 November 2026. The details are on the Grants page.