Artists in Residence Program

Artists of all skill levels and life experiences are welcome to apply.

We encourage applications from creatives with diverse lived experiences from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, migrant, refugee and faith communities, people with disability, gender-diverse communities and LGBTQIA+ communities.

General 

What is the purpose of Magnify: Artists in Residence program? 

The intention of our artist residency program is to provide support for visual artists and an inclusive environment for creativity, collaboration and growth. 

What are the benefits of participating in the residency program? 

Benefits include access to dedicated communal Studio space, financial support and opportunities for networking and professional development. 

What paperwork is required?

Successful artists will need to sign an artist agreement and if not already covered, obtain current Public Liability Insurance (up to $20 million).

Are there any fees associated with the residency program? 

No, there are no fees associated with applying for or participating in the residency program. 

How long is the residency for? 

Each residency block is for three months in duration. 

How many artists will there be in a residency block? 

Each block will have up to four artists. 

Inclusions 

What financial support is provided for artists during the residency? 

Artists will receive a stipend amount of up to $1500. 

Is accommodation arranged for artists traveling from out of town? 

This is a studio residency and accommodation is not provided. Interstate artists who are successful in receiving a residency will need to arrange their own accommodation. 

How big is the Studio space? 

The floor area of the shared Studio is 80 square metres and each artist will have a quarter share of this space. 

What resources and facilities are available to artists during the residency? 

Artists can access the Studio 7am to 11:30pm daily. The Studio contains basic office furniture, sinks, automated heating/cooling and power outlets.  Other facilities include a kitchenette and bathrooms, all located within Kingston Arts Centre.

Can I bring my own equipment/materials to the residency? 

Basic furniture such as tables, chairs and some storage shelves are provided. You will need to bring in the usual art materials and tools/equipment that you need for your practice, bearing in mind that the Studio is a shared space and toxic and strong-smelling materials such as resin or overly noisy or dust-creating equipment would not be appropriate.  

Application

How do I apply for the Artist in Residency program? 

Applications need to be submitted through the Expression of Interest (EOI) form that will be available from Monday 16 March to Sunday 12 April 2026 on the Kingston Arts website. 

Who can apply? 

Anyone over 18 years old, working predominantly in a visual arts medium. Artists who reside outside of Melbourne are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

Can a team of creatives apply?

We can accept proposals from groups/creatives, but please contact us before submitting your proposal.

Can I submit more than one application? 

You can only submit one application. 

Can I submit a late application? 

Late applications will not be accepted. The submission deadline is Sunday 12 April 2026 at 11:59pm. 

Can I apply if I am not a resident of Kingston? 

Yes, the residency program is open to all artists, regardless of your usual residential address. However, as one of the objectives of the program is to elevate and benefit the local creative community, applications with a Kingston connection and/or willingness to engage with community will be regarded favourably. 

Can I apply for the residency program if I have previously participated in it? 

Artists are welcome to reapply for the residency program, however preference may be given to new applicants. 

What types of artists are you looking for in the residency program? 

Submissions from all genres at different stages of artistic career are welcome, although the facilities provided would best suit artists working in visual arts. 

Can I apply for the residency program if I work in a medium other than the ones specified? 

Yes, you can apply, however preference may be given to applicants whose work aligns with the goals of the residency program. 

Are there any specific themes or focus areas for the residency program? 

No, there are no specific themes for the residency program. 

How does the residency program support diversity and inclusion among participating artists? 

The residency program is committed to diversity and inclusion and seeks to create a welcoming and supportive environment for people with a variety of lived experiences. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Selection process 

How are artists selected for the residency program? 

Artists are selected based on the assessment criteria, including artistic quality, community impact, demonstrated need and viability. Applications with a Kingston connection and/or willingness to engage with community will be regarded favourably. 

Who is on the judging panel? 

Applications will be assessed by an independent panel of at least three members including a local creative. 

What is the timeline for notifying applicants of their acceptance into the residency program? 

Successful applicants will be notified approximately 5 to 6 weeks after the closing date. 

During the residency 

How will accessibility needs be accommodated? 

Kingston Arts Centre is wheelchair accessible with the Studio and accessible toilets situated on the ground floor. There is a carpark at the back, including disabled parking bays. Disabled street parking is available at the front of the building (enter via slip lane off Nepean Highway). Support person/s and guide dogs are welcome. If you have accessibility needs and you have further questions after looking at our venue accessibility page, please email us at artsprograms@kingston.vic.gov.au.  

What is the expectation around studio interactions? 

As the Studio is a shared space, artists are expected to respect each other’s space and belongings. We acknowledge that everyone is different and further interaction would be at the discretion of the artists involved. 

Are there any specific requirements or expectations for an outcome from the residency? 

No defined outcomes are expected.  Artists are encouraged to share their residency experience with Kingston Arts, including insights into their creative process, community interactions, and personal or professional growth. Residency artists may like to consider engaging with the local community and producing work reflecting their residency experience. 

Will there be opportunities to exhibit or showcase my work during the residency? 

There will be an opportunity for artists to showcase their work through an open studio event. 

How will my residency be promoted? 

Kingston Arts will promote the residency through social media and website. We will endeavour to share your social stories if appropriate to do so. 

Are there any opportunities for community engagement or outreach activities during the residency? 

Artists are encouraged to engage with the local community. Please indicate this ahead of time in your application as to what you would like to offer. 

Will there be any workshops or professional development opportunities available to artists during the residency? 

Kingston Arts offers professional development opportunities throughout the year. Magnify artists will be notified ahead of time and encouraged to attend if the session is of interest.   

What happens to my intellectual property and work created during the residency? 

Copyright for any work finished or unfinished that is created during the residency will remain with its creator. Kingston Arts may use documentation or images of works for marketing, promotional and reporting purposes and will endeavour to notify the artist ahead of time. 

What if my question is not answered? 

If you would like any further information, please email us at artsprograms@kingston.vic.gov.au.

Feedback received from previous Magnify artists:

"Participating in the Magnify residency has significantly contributed to the development of my artistic career. It provided dedicated time and space to focus on my practice, which was instrumental in preparing for a major solo exhibition in Sydney. The residency also expanded my professional network through meaningful engagement with the local community, visits from a curator, and the opportunity to present an artist talk. These experiences not only increased the visibility of my work but also led to the sale of several artworks. Importantly, the supportive environment fostered creative risk-taking and experimentation, which has enriched both my conceptual thinking and studio practice." 

"The residency afforded me the opportunity to have a dedicated studio space where I could work. I was also fortunate to make friends with some of my fellow AIR artists." 

"The space was amazing, my fellow artists were wonderful, and staff were very supportive."

"Highlights from the residency was working in the studio space and having access to the kiln and kiln room. Being able to fire my own work enabled me to test, and have some control over my own outcomes."

"It has been a wonderful boost to my art career, helping me reach a better sense of professionalism in how to present my work and myself as well as experimenting with my own making. Having professional photographs of myself and my work has been so helpful in that I can now add these into a website and look more professional. It has given me the opportunity to concentrate on my work without distractions and offered me time to formulate what my art practice is trying to convey. It is also a very helpful addition to my art CV in that it gives a sense of accomplishment and achievement."

"The experience was so great. I loved making connections with other artists, who have helped me to feel connected and supported in my practice. These will be lifelong friendships. I enjoyed the ability to connect with varied artists from different practices and backgrounds. We now also have a WhatsApp group and meet for regular catch-ups. Its really helped me to have a supportive group of likeminded people to connect with, we all support each other and celebrate our individual successes."

Join Lydia in an upcoming workshop series exploring temporary homes in Naarm/Melbourne. Full event details and bookings available soon. 

As a painting student at RMIT during the 90s, Kylie Stillman struggled to be inspired by paint found in a tube, she preferred the challenge of finding materials and pigments from the constructed world to create an artwork.

Best known for her book sculptures and woodcarvings, Stillman uses scalpel blades, jigsaws, sewing materials and drills to alter objects and create negative spaces that depict signs of life. Birds, plant life and the artists own scribbles are frequently used as subject matter. Her inventive artworks draw from both modern art and craft traditions to transform ordinary materials into works of art.

Stillman says, "it's my own form of alchemy – taking something very common and then giving it nobility."

Shaun Wilson is an established Melbourne-based artist who explores memory and place through painting and the moving image. He has a long association with Moorabbin, including art school in the early 1990s at the former Moorabbin TAFE in South Road, and strong connections to Mordialloc Creek, pier, and surrounding beaches, the subject of much of his recent maritime work.  

He has exhibited widely since the 1990s inter/nationally, including ACMI, ACCA, PICA, MARS Gallery, Seattle Centre on Contemporary Art, and film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlinale. He is represented in collections such as the ERGAS Collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, the State Library of Victoria, and the Venice Biennale ASAC historical archives. He holds a BFA (RMIT) and BFA hons (Monash) and PhDs in fine art and media arts from the University of Tasmania and Flinders University. He is currently a senior lecturer in the School of Design at RMIT University. 

Our next Open Studio will take place 6 to 8 pm, Friday 6th November. Come along to meet the current Magnify artists and check out their works in progress.

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Location: Studio, Kingston Arts Centre