Become an Artist in Residence

Shellharbour Council are seeking Expressions of Interest from artists and groups for Artist-in-Residence programs at The Imaginarium, Shellharbour Village arts space.  

4-week Residency (formerly titled INCUBATOR residency) 
2 residencies, each 3–4 weeks 

Pending funding outcomes, Shellharbour City Council are also offering short 1 week Artist-in Residence programs. If you would like to be considered for these, please nominate your interest in the EOI form.

1-week Residency (subject to an external funding round)
7 residencies, each 5–7 days

All forms of artistic practice are eligible to apply (performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, crafts... to name a few!).  

In 2026 Shellharbour Council are specifically seeking residencies that intersect between an artist’s practice and the community. This means weight will be given to artists who can demonstrate their practice is socially engaged. 

Artists are free to use the space 8am-9pm, 7 days a week, throughout the duration of their residency. This is not a live-in residency. 

Council requires the space to be used by the artist for a minimum of 5 days each week, for a minimum of 3 hours per day, agreed to in advance on a case-by-case basis. 

EOI Criteria

Expressions of interest will be assessed against the following criteria: 

1. Artistic merit
Quality and strength of the artist’s work to date

2. Community Engagement
How the proposed residency will connect with and/or involve the community

3. Approach
Clarity around how the residency time will be planned and used 

Weight will be given to the following criteria:

1. Availability
Ability to activate the studio space during the residency period

2. Suitability
How well the artist’s creative practice aligns with the studio space and its communities

3. Connection to Shellharbour/Illawarra
The artist’s existing or developing relationship with the Shellharbour/Illawarra region 

To be considered, please complete the EOI form by midnight Sunday 24 May on the following link. A soft deadline is available by advance request to arts@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au.

If you would like to respond using video or audio file, please email the link to arts@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au.

Audio or Video Submissions: Record your responses to the EOI questions as an audio or video file (typically up to 15 minutes) 

If you require assistance with this form, please call Council to log your request, or email arts@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au.