BR Whiting Studio Residency Program (Australia)

The BR Whiting Studio Residency Program supports Australian writers through self-directed literary residencies in Rome, Italy. The programme provides funding, workspace opportunities, and international networking opportunities with literary communities, universities, translators, and cultural organisations to help writers develop their creative practice.

Overview of the BR Whiting Studio Residency Program

The BR Whiting Studio Residency Program is an international residency opportunity offered by Creative Australia for Australian writers who want to expand their literary practice through a period of independent creative development in Rome.

The residency is designed for writers working on literature projects, including poetry, fiction, creative writing, and other literary forms.

The programme provides writers with:

• Dedicated time for creative development.
• International cultural exposure.
• Opportunities to connect with Rome’s literary community.
• Professional networking opportunities.
• Space to develop new literary work.

The residency has a special connection with poetry, as it was originally established to support Australian poets. Poets are strongly encouraged to apply.

Purpose of the Residency

The BR Whiting Studio Residency aims to:

• Support Australian literary artists in developing new work.
• Encourage international exchange and cultural connections.
• Strengthen professional networks between Australian and international literary communities.
• Provide writers with opportunities for research, experimentation, and creative exploration.

During the residency, writers may connect with:

• Bookshops.
• Literary societies.
• Universities.
• Academics.
• Translators.
• Other writers and cultural professionals in Rome.

Residency Options and Funding Support

Creative Australia is offering three residency opportunities with different durations and funding amounts.

One-Month Residency

• Duration: 1 month.
• Funding support: $6,500.

Three-Month Residency

• Duration: 3 months.
• Funding support: $15,000.

Six-Month Residency

• Duration: 6 months.
• Funding support: $27,500.

The funding is intended to support the writer’s residency experience and creative development activities.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Apply as an individual.
• Be a practising artist or arts worker.
• Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.
• Be working on a literature project.
• Have a professional commitment to literary practice.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Poets.
• Fiction writers.
• Creative writers.
• Literary artists.
• Writers developing research-based literary projects.

Who Cannot Apply?

The following applicants are not eligible:

• Groups or organisations.
• Applicants who have submitted another application to the same BR Whiting Studio Residency round.
• Applicants with overdue Creative Australia grant reports.
• Applicants who owe money to Creative Australia.

Supported Creative Fields

The residency mainly supports:

• Poetry.
• Literature.
• Creative writing.
• Literary research and development.

Projects should focus on literary practice rather than other creative industries such as:

• Feature films.
• Television projects.
• Documentary production.

Benefits of the Residency

The programme provides writers with several professional and creative benefits.

Creative Development

Writers receive dedicated time to:

• Develop manuscripts.
• Explore new ideas.
• Conduct literary research.
• Experiment with writing approaches.

International Networking

Residents can build connections with:

• Italian literary organisations.
• Translators.
• Academic institutions.
• Writers and cultural professionals.

Career Growth

The residency can help writers:

• Expand international networks.
• Gain new perspectives.
• Strengthen their literary profile.
• Explore future collaborations.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit an application with supporting material demonstrating their literary practice.

Step 1: Prepare Your Project Information

Applicants should explain:

• Their literature project.
• Their creative goals.
• Why the Rome residency is important for their practice.
• How the residency will support their professional development.

Step 2: Submit Artistic Support Material

Applicants can provide up to three web links containing examples of recent work.

Accepted materials may include:

• Written work.
• Audio recordings.
• Video content.
• Images.

Submission limits include:

• Maximum 10 minutes of video or audio.
• Maximum 10 images.
• Maximum 10 pages of written material.

Step 3: Ensure Access to Materials

Support material links must:

• Be publicly accessible.
• Not require login.
• Not require payment or subscription access.

If online links cannot be provided, applicants may upload files in accepted formats, including:

• MP4.
• MOV.
• MP3.
• JPEG.
• Word documents.
• PDF files.

Application Tips

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

• Clearly explaining their literary objectives.
• Showing how Rome will contribute to their creative development.
• Demonstrating professional commitment to writing.
• Selecting strong examples of previous work.
• Choosing support materials that represent their unique writing style.

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting unrelated creative work.
• Providing inaccessible links.
• Exceeding the required submission limits.
• Applying as a group instead of individually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the BR Whiting Studio Residency Program?

It is a residency opportunity that supports Australian writers through a self-directed creative residency in Rome, Italy.

Who can apply for the residency?

Australian citizens or permanent residents who are practising artists or arts workers working on literature projects can apply.

How many residency options are available?

There are three options: one-month, three-month, and six-month residencies.

How much funding is available?

Funding ranges from $6,500 for a one-month residency to $27,500 for a six-month residency.

Are poets eligible to apply?

Yes. Poets are particularly encouraged because the residency was originally created to support Australian poets.

Can organisations apply?

No. Applications must be submitted by individual writers.

What type of support material can applicants provide?

Applicants can provide links or files containing written work, audio, video, or visual examples of their recent creative practice.

Conclusion

The BR Whiting Studio Residency Program provides Australian writers with a valuable opportunity to develop their literary practice in Rome while building international connections and expanding their creative networks. Through financial support, cultural engagement, and access to literary communities, the residency helps writers create new work and strengthen their position within the global literary landscape.