Looking for time, space and inspiration to focus on your creative writing work? The Mount Wilson Artist in Residence program in New South Wales offers artists a unique opportunity to step away from everyday life and immerse themselves in a peaceful Blue Mountains setting.
Set in the historic Old Schoolhouse, this residency provides selected artists – including writers – with a full month of accommodation and studio space to develop their practice, connect with the local community and bring new creative projects to life.
From the Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine Community site:
The Old School House, Mount Wilson commenced an Artist in Residence program in 2019. This is a volunteer based, not for profit organisation aiming to share the beauty, diversity and tranquility of Mount Wilson, providing an opportunity for artists to work, be supported by and engage with the local community. The program provides residency, accommodation and studio, for three or four weeks for both emerging and established artists and suits musicians/composers, writers, visual and textile artists.
The Artist in Residence program, based in The Old School, provides comfortable accommodation and a large adjacent studio, set in beautiful surroundings. This is a unique opportunity to escape from the everyday to develop work or explore new ideas in a tranquil, inspiring place.
The program provides residency for three to four weeks for both emerging and established artists and considers applications from visual artists, writers, photographers, video artists, printmakers, musicians, composers, and textile artists.
The residency is also suitable for two artists collaborating on a project.
After three years, past residents may apply with a new proposal in the April/May callout. As a condition of the residency, the successful applicants will be required to engage with the Mount Wilson community in some way such as a talk, workshop, open studio, exhibition or performance.
Facilities
The program provides accommodation and studio space for one month. The residence is a two bedroom fully furnished cottage, one bedroom with queen size bed the other with two single beds, a well equipped kitchen and laundry including a washing machine and dryer and wall mounted heaters throughout.
The property runs on tank water and has a septic system. The 7m x 4m studio space is in the adjoining restored schoolhouse building. The floor covering is heavy duty vinyl. The studio includes an easel, a trestle table and chairs, a large magnetic wall, dropsheets for floors (if required), a wet area and a desk and office chair.
What we provide:
- Clean, comfortable accommodation, including doonas, pillows, linen and heating.
- A clean, well-lit studio space fitted out as above.
- A support person to be the artist’s contact during their stay.
- Welcome pack.
- Comprehensive information manual.
- Introduction to community members, events and surrounding area.
- Promotion of you and your work to the Blue Mountains and wider community.
What applicants need to bring:
- Mount Wilson is an isolated community with no public transport, so applicants must provide their own transport. The off-street parking is not undercover.
- Materials for their work.
- Provisions (food, drinks, personal items) and cash; there are no ATMs or shops in Mount Wilson. The closest shops are in Blackheath, a 30-minute drive; Katoomba, a 50-minute drive or Lithgow, a 40-minute drive.
- Mobile phone for internet access and broadband device if your work requires heavy use of the internet.
Responsibilities of the artist:
- The cost of transport for themselves and their art work and any relevant insurance
- The cost of repairing any damage caused to The Old School buildings.
- To leave the premises in the condition in which it was found.
- To respect your neighbours and care for the environment.
To learn more and apply, visit the Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine Community website here.
