CROW - Arts OutWest

Aboriginal arts Creative Communities Current Projects Residencies 43

Expressions of Interest

Calling for Aboriginal artist/s from the Central West to undertake a paid residency in the far west/north-west of NSW.

EOI open Tuesday 10 February

Close Monday 30 March 5pm

A partnership between Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs): Arts OutWest, West Darling Arts and Outback Arts.

This residency program has been designed in response to needs of artists and creatives in the central and far west/north-west of NSW. CROW will offer 1 residency opportunity by each RADO to a partner area (a total of 3 residencies). The aim of the residencies is to provide artists with time to develop their work, network and share skills with others across the regions.

Artists will be provided with a stipend of $4000. The intention of this funding is to support accommodation, travel, studio space and other logistical support required based on the arts practice. This is an opportunity for RADOs to support other businesses / organisations in their regions and provide support for the development of new work and networking opportunities for artists.

We expect each residency to run for a minimum of 2 weeks.

The residency must be out of your home RADO area. For example, if you live in Arts OutWest area, you are required to go to Outback Arts or West Darling areas.

This residency is open to both individual artists and groups/collaborators.

Aboriginal artists are strongly encouraged to apply. *Please note: that in 2026 Arts OutWest will only be offering this residency to an Aboriginal artist to go into Outback Arts or West Darling Arts Regions. See more about this in the FAQ below.

It is envisaged that this residency program will run annually.

TO APPLY

Check the guidelines to see if you are eligible
Use the FAQ section below to get more details and answer your questions
Find a residency you’d like to do, within the participating regions
We encourage you to email or call your RADO to discuss how they may be able to assist you.
Please apply to your local RADO either using the online link below or EOI paper version

Photo Credit: Georgia Ditchfield – Warrumbungle Way

Application form

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

What's a RADO? and what RADO region do I live in?

RADOs are Regional Arts Development Organisations. Each covers a different part of regional NSW. There are 15 RADOs across the state.

You can find which Regional Arts Development Organisation area you live in using this Regional Arts NSW map.

Arts OutWest covers the local government areas of: Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.

Outback Arts covers the local government areas of: Bourke, Brewarrina, Bogan, Cobar, Coonamble, Walgett and Warren.

West Darling Arts covers the local government areas of: Broken Hill City Council, Central Darling Shire Council, Wentworth Shire Council.

Applications for CROW are only open to current residents of either the Arts OutWest, Outback Arts or West Darling Arts Regions.

Is CROW open to all artforms?

Yes, including visual arts, music, theatre and performance, writing, film, new media.

What does the funding cover?

Artists will be provided with a stipend of $4000. The intention of this funding is to support accommodation, travel, studio space and other logistical support required based on the arts practice.

If successful, will I need to book and organise my own residency and accomodation?

Yes, the artist will research and make their own bookings.

See some suggested locations in the next question.

Local RADOs can assist with advice and contacts.

Where can I go? What are some existing residency spaces in each region?

Below is a list of possible residency options in the three regions – there may be more, and we are open to your suggestions.

Arts OutWest region (Central West NSW)

The Squatters Residency – The Foundations, Portland

Location: Portland, between Lithgow and Bathurst, NSW
Details: A curated artist-in-residence program offering up to 4-week stays in “The Squat,” a character-filled cottage within a heritage industrial site.
Facilities: Studio space, basic accommodation, access to additional buildings like The Powerhouse and The Annexe.
Eligibility: Open to visual artists, writers, musicians, performers, and other creatives. Currently by invitation, with plans for formal applications in 2026.
www.artsoutwest.org.au/pf/squatters
Contact: Nicola Mason at Arts OutWest nimason@csu.edu.au or 02 6338 4091 (Mondays or Fridays)

Hill End Residency

Location: Hill End, between Bathurst & Mudgee
Details: Private house in historic village of Hill End.
Facilities: Studio space, basic accommodation
Eligibility: Open to visual artists, writers, musicians, performers, and other creatives. Private residence, details to be negotiated.
Talk to Arts OutWest for information. 02 6338 4657 or artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

The Corridor Project – TCPAiR

Location: Wyangala, near Cowra, Central West NSW
Overview: The Corridor Project (TCP) is a not-for-profit multidisciplinary arts and cultural organisation offering artist-in-residence opportunities on Wiradjuri Country. It is situated on 130 acres of rural land along the Bila Galari (Lachlan River).
Residency Highlights: Accommodation in restored shearers’ quarters and a repurposed historic woolshed.
Studio spaces, media kits, easels, and sound equipment available.
Encourages exploration of natural environments and interdisciplinary practice.
Eligibility: Open to visual arts, sculpture, printmaking, performing arts, literature, architecture, film, and more.
More Info: www.thecorridorproject.org/overview-residencies-tcpair

Rosebank gUESTHOUSE AND GALLERY, Millthorpe

Location: Millthorpe, between Bathurst & Orange
Details: Cottage & studio
Facilities: Studio space, basic accommodation
Eligibility: Open to visual artists, writers, musicians, performers, and other creatives. Private residence, details to be negotiated.
Visit: https://www.rosebankmillthorpe.com.au/artist-residencies-and-retreats
Contact: Jenny Beech 0448 279939 or email rosebankmillthorpe@gmail.com

MudgEE LITERARY ARTS RESIDENCY

Location: Mudgee, Wiradjuri Country
Details: A week-long literary residency in Mudgee
Facilities: A quiet writing space is provided in the historic Kildallon building, which includes access to wi-fi, kitchen facilities and outdoor space. Private accommodation will be provided locally.
Eligibility: Open to writers and illustrators working in the literary arts, including writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction, children’s literature, poets and graphic novelists. The residency includes 5 days of uninterrupted writing time, and an artist-led community engagement activity at the Kildallon Arts. Details to be negotiated.
There are two residencies available in 2026, subject to accommodation availability.
Visit: https://www.mudgeereaders.com/writer-in-residence
Contact:

West Darling Arts Region (Far west NSW)

Broken Hill Heritage Residencies

Location: Broken Hill Art Exchange, Broken Hill, NSW
Details: Artist residencies focused on Broken Hill and the Far West and community engagement. There is also an option to work with the Broken Hill City Art Gallery.
Contact: West Darling Arts on 08 8087 9035

Outback Arts Region (Western and North Western NSW)

The Plaza Theatre Residency – Coonamble

Location: Coonamble, NSW
Details: A revitalised historic theatre now serving as a cultural hub for residencies, performances, and community events.
Support: Restoration funded by a major donation; future programming includes artist residencies and creative development.
Contact: Outback Arts on 02 6822 2484

Tin Camp Studio – Lightning Ridge

Location: The Hungry Spirit, Lightning Ridge, NSW
Details: Tin Camp Studio is a community-focused creative space built from salvaged materials, inspired by 1950s Aboriginal fringe housing. It was established in 2021 through support from Outback Arts, Create NSW, and THE Edge Fest.
Support:
Hosts live music, workshops, open mic nights, retreats, and even weddings.
Retrofitted in 2023 as a recording studio with soundproofing and performance wings.
Supports youth podcasting projects and music recording.
Offers collaboration opportunities for musicians, performers, and storytellers.
Contact: Tin Camp Studios – The Hungry Spirit on 02 5866 1180Email: rebel@thehungryspirit.com or wmindigart@gmail.com

Talent Scout Art Studio – Coonamble

Location: Coonamble, NSW
Details: A revitalised old scout hall now serving as a ceramics studio with regular beginner classes and experienced professional studio spaces.
Support: Local group Coonamble Ceramics Collective with volunteer Studio Manager and materials supplied at Outback Arts
Contact: Outback Arts on 02 6822 2484

Bourke Ceramics Centre

Location: Bourke, NSW
Details: Situated in a council owned building at North Bourke, co-ordinated by the Bourke Arts Community Committee.
Support: a local core group of ceramicists and offers visiting workshops.
Contact: Outback Arts on 02 6822 2484
Email: rebel@thehungryspirit.com or wmindigart@gmail.com

Are there any outcome requirements for the residency?

These residencies are offered to give artists time and space to make work.

We do ask that each artist offers a community engagement activity, this might be a workshop, a talk, or an open studio etc. Please talk to your RADO if you have questions about this.

Artists will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about the experience at the end.

What's the timeframe for these residencies?

Residencies can take place from May 2026 – December 2026.

Why can only Aboriginal artists apply from the Arts OutWest Region?

For 2026 Arts OutWest is supporting our portion of CROW from our funding from the Australian Government’s IVAIS (Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support) and so we can, in this first year, only support Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists.

Can I apply as a duo or group?

Yes, you can apply as a duo or group, but you would receive the same total funding as a solo applicant. All artists must live in the RADO area.

Will there be a residency in each RADO area?

There will be one successful applicant from each RADO region.

Applicants must take their residency in one of the two neighboring RADO areas, eg if you are in the Arts OutWest region you can go to Outback Arts or West Darling Arts.

The applications will be assessed on merit, rather than assigning an artist to each region.

So, It could end up that two applicants go to Outback Arts and one to west Darling Arts and none to Arts OutWest regions or visa versa.