Deadline: 03-Feb-2026
Creative Australia is accepting applications for its Affiliated Fellowship Program, offering established Australian visual artists a funded residency at the American Academy in Rome. The fellowship provides accommodation, studio space, meals, and a grant of up to USD 12,500 to support professional practice and international engagement in Rome, Italy.
Creative Australia has announced the Affiliated Fellowship Program, offering established Australian visual artists the opportunity to pursue their work in a prestigious, collaborative and intellectually rich environment at the American Academy in Rome. The fellowship supports advanced visual arts practice through a fully supported residency in Rome, Italy, and encourages engagement with an international artistic and scholarly community.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The Affiliated Fellowship Program is designed to support established visual artists at an advanced stage of their careers. The fellowship enables artists to develop their practice in an inspiring international setting while contributing to and benefiting from the interdisciplinary community of the American Academy in Rome.
Host Institution: American Academy in Rome
The residency is hosted by the American Academy in Rome, located on the Janiculum Hill. The Academy is a leading centre for independent study and advanced research in the arts and humanities and offers fellows access to a vibrant community of artists, architects, writers and scholars.
Residency Duration and Location
The fellowship is offered for a duration of two to three months, with the exact length negotiated with the successful applicant. The residency takes place in Rome, Italy, and supports visual arts practice within the Academy’s historic facilities.
Fellowship Funding
Grant funding is provided at USD 8,500 for a two-month residency or USD 12,500 for a three-month residency. The funding supports the artist’s participation in the residency and is intended to enable focused creative work and professional development.
What the Fellowship Includes
Successful applicants receive accommodation and studio space within the American Academy in Rome. Fellows are provided with a private single room, with a double room offered if available, and a dedicated studio space. Fellows also have access to meals prepared by the Rome Sustainable Food project, the Academy’s library, gardens, communal spaces, IT support and guidance from program staff and advisors.
Program Participation and Engagement
As a Mordant Family/Creative Australia Affiliated Fellow, the selected artist will be invited to participate in the Academy’s public programming, including exhibitions, lectures and workshops. Where possible, fellows may also take part in Walks and Talks and the Academy’s Spring and/or Fall Trips, supporting deeper engagement with the Academy’s wider community.
Who Is Eligible?
The fellowship is open to established visual artists who have a significant record of exhibitions in public institutions and commercial galleries. Applicants must be practicing visual artists and must be Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents. Only individual applicants are eligible and applications from organisations are not accepted.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Applicants are not eligible if they have outstanding acquittals from previous Creative Australia grants or owe money to Creative Australia. The fellowship is intended for the artist only and does not support applications submitted by legally constituted organisations.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed by Creative Australia staff and industry advisors in consultation with the American Academy in Rome. Assessment is based on artistic merit, viability of the proposed residency activities, impact on the applicant’s career and suitability for the residency environment. Applicants must demonstrate the quality of their previous work, relevance of the residency to their practice and realistic planning for their time in Rome.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through Creative Australia’s Application Management System. Applicants are required to provide personal and eligibility details, information about their artistic practice and a clear explanation of how the residency will contribute to their professional development and engagement with the Academy community.
Supporting Material Requirements
Supporting material is mandatory and must be submitted as part of the application. This includes artistic support material provided primarily via direct URLs, a brief biography or curriculum vitae of no more than two A4 pages and optional letters of support. Assessors will not access links that require logins or paid subscriptions and all materials must comply with specified format and size limits.
Accessibility and Accommodation
The American Academy in Rome offers limited accessible accommodation and studio facilities. Applicants who require accessible formats or accommodations are encouraged to contact Creative Australia in advance to discuss available options.
Guest Policy
The fellowship is intended for the artist only. Personal guests may stay overnight in accordance with the American Academy in Rome’s guest policy and required protocols, but the residency does not provide funding or support for accompanying partners or family members.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The Creative Australia Affiliated Fellowship Program provides established Australian visual artists with rare access to an internationally respected residency environment. By supporting immersive creative practice, international exchange and public engagement, the fellowship strengthens Australia’s visual arts sector and supports global professional connections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Creative Australia Affiliated Fellowship Program?
It is a funded residency program that supports established Australian visual artists to work at the American Academy in Rome for two to three months.
How much funding does the fellowship provide?
The fellowship provides USD 8,500 for a two-month residency or USD 12,500 for a three-month residency.
Who can apply for this fellowship?
Established visual artists who are Australian citizens or permanent residents and have a strong exhibition record in public institutions and commercial galleries.
What does the residency include?
The residency includes accommodation, studio space, meals, access to Academy facilities and participation in public and community programming.
Are organisations eligible to apply?
No. Only individual artists may apply and applications from organisations are not accepted.
When will applicants be notified of the outcome?
Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome by April 2026.
Conclusion
The Creative Australia Affiliated Fellowship Program at the American Academy in Rome offers an exceptional opportunity for established Australian visual artists to deepen their practice in a world-renowned international setting. With comprehensive residency support, professional funding and access to a vibrant artistic community, the fellowship is a valuable pathway for sustained creative and career development.
For more information, visit Creative Australia.
