Artist-in-Residence Program - Canberra Potters

About

Applications now open for 2027 and 2028 residencies.

Canberra Potters is the leading ceramic arts organisation in the ACT and one of Australia’s only fully integrated ceramics centres. Located at the Watson Arts Centre, only 5kms from Canberra’s CBD, Canberra Potters offers learning programs for all levels of ceramic practice, professional ceramics facilities, a gallery featuring local, national and international exhibitions and associated programs and events, an onsite artist in residence program, a retail outlet, artist studios and tranquil outdoor spaces.

Canberra Potters’ Artist in Residence (AIR) Program offers artists, who have ceramics as a central aspect of their practice, a unique opportunity to live and work onsite during residencies of four to 12 weeks. The residency includes free access to onsite self-contained accommodation and 24/7 access to a purpose-built ceramics studio and professional ceramics facilities.

Open to established and emerging artists, the residency offers artists a welcoming change of environment in which to develop new work, explore a different direction, or renew their practice through engagement with a new community. Applicants may be based in Australia or overseas.

Financial support is available to artists as part of the program, with contributions to support making, materials, travel and living expenses, depending on the proposed outcomes of the residency and residency duration.

The Canberra Potters AIR Program seeks to attract practitioners working across the expanded field of contemporary ceramics, whether it be in functional ceramics and vessels, sculpture, painting, installation, performance, environmental design, architecture, multimedia or materials research.

The program fosters dialogue and exchange, helping artists build connections within the ACT and the Australian ceramics community, connecting to the Canberra Potters community as well as to partner organisations; including the Australian National University School of Art and Design, Strathnairn Arts, Glassworks Canberra, Craft + Design Canberra and the organisation’s national network of craft and design organisations.

The AIR Program is an integral part of Canberra Potters’ Artistic Program and key to the organisation’s national and international profile. Depending on the residency aims and outcomes, residencies may connect with our Exhibition, Education and Public Programs. Artists in Residence are encouraged to connect with Canberra Potters members and the public via open studio days, exhibitions and artist talks, or by delivering short courses or Masterclasses developed in collaboration with Canberra Potters (paid).

To date, the AIR program has welcomed internationally recognised artists from across Australia and from countries including New Zealand, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Canberra Potters’ facilities include two large teaching workshops, a members-only workshop, a spacious gallery, a retail shop featuring work by a selected group of members and selling clay materials and tools, a library, a purpose-built kiln room, a glazing room with glazes produced by Canberra Potters and clay and materials storage. The site also has four individual studios available for rent to ceramic artists, along with a dedicated artist-in-residence studio and adjoining self-contained, furnished accommodation. The residential unit and studios were purpose-built in 2011.

The one-bedroom residential unit is a fully self-contained residence with parking for up to two cars, an open plan kitchen, dining and living room, separate bedroom with queen size bed, and a bathroom with laundry facilities. The artist-in-residence studio is equipped with a potter’s wheel, worktable, large ware trolley, clay trap, built-in under-bench cupboards and shelving, a wedging slab, and a sink with running water. The residency studio and accommodation are wheelchair accessible, as are most areas of the premises.

Wheel-throwing and hand-building tools can be provided if artists are unable to bring their preferred equipment. Residents may also access slab rollers and a pugmill located in the teaching workshops and kiln/glazing shed.

The kiln room houses several electric kilns of varying capacities and two gas kilns. Outside, there is a gas raku kiln. Please note that no kilns are reserved exclusively for artists-in-residence; kiln use must be booked and coordinated with other activities. Wood-firing facilities are available through Strathnairn Arts in Holt, Canberra, with which Canberra Potters has a close relationship. Strathnairn is approximately a 25-minute drive from Watson Arts Centre.

Canberra Potters at Watson Arts Centre is conveniently located on Canberra’s north side, approximately a 15-minute drive, or a 35-minute bike ride, from the CBD with access to public transport

Application Process

Applications should be submitted on the residency application form and should include an outline of what you want to do creatively and technically, what you hope to get out of the residency, a current CV, and up to 10 images of recent work or work relating to your proposal.

Applications will be assessed by a panel including members of Canberra Potter’s Artistic Advisory Committee. Selection made by considering the quality and merits of the proposal and its impact, its value to the development of the artist’s practice, artistic experience of the applicant, availability of time in the residency program, perceived value to Canberra Potters’ program of activities, the examples of work and professional references.

2027 Artist-in-Residence Application

"*" indicates required fields

General Information

Name*

First Last

What are your prefered pronouns?*

e.g. she/her, they/them, he/him

Email*

Phone*

If providing an international phone number, please include country and area codes.

Address*

Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Website

Instagram

Residency Information

Preferred start date and year (2027 or 2028)*

The maximum residency period is 12 weeks

Preferred end date*

Do you require accommodation in the residential unit?*

Yes

Will you be accompanied by a spouse or partner?*

Yes

Unsure

Outline what you intend to do both creatively and technically, and what you hope to get out of the residency (500 words).*

As part of the residency agreement, professional residents may deliver a paid short course or masterclass of at least two days. Please provide a brief proposal of around 200 words outlining the topics you would be comfortable teaching and the content, format and activities your proposed short course or masterclass may include.*

What are your expected kiln requirements?*

Will you require technical assistance with your kiln firings or will you fire independently?*

Professional Referee 1*

Please include first and last name, email address, contact number and professional position/relationship to applicant.

Professional Referee 2

Please include first and last name, email address, contact number and professional position/relationship to applicant.

Your Artist CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 2 MB.

Your Biography and/or Artist Statement*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 2 MB.

Images

Please provide a minimum of 6, maximum 10, images of your work. Images should be in jpg, jpeg or png format, of high quality and no larger than 2MB each. If you have technical difficulties attaching images to this form, please email images to gallery@canberrapotters.com, please include your full name referencing your residency application.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, Max. file size: 2 MB, Max. files: 10.