Artist-in-Residence Program

Craft + Design Canberra and ACT Parks & Conservation Service since 2006

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Craft + Design Canberra manages this acclaimed Artist-in-Residence program and collaborates with arts organisations, educational institutions and national cultural institutions, and industry. Through these linkages we create opportunities for artists and designers to develop and maintain successful professional practices.

For over ten years, Craft + Design Canberra has collaborated with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service to offer residencies for artists to translate the beautiful and infinitely variable qualities of both craft and nature to the contemporary world. Held annually at Namadgi Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage, the residency brings stillness, solitude and space to artists and culminates in an exhibition at Craft + Design Canberra.

2025 artist-in-residence

Previous residents

View a full list of our past artists-in-residence by year from 2006-2020

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Open Days

View photo albums from our previous artist-in-residence open days in Namadgi National Park

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2006 - 2020

Program Review

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Testimonials

I came to the realisation that my creative space/ my studio extends beyond my studio walls. Namadgi became my ongoing studio and that isolation is gold. I had 5 weeks to explore, think, discover and develop ideas. The residency reinforced how important residencies like this are. It confirmed my love of solo exploration and the thinking that unless you allow yourself to get lost you’ll never discover anything new.

Kirstie Rea (2009 resident)

Invaluable opportunity to better understand the complex work of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, one of Australia’s treasures. Being immersed in Namadgi and the Australian National Botanic Gardens was revealing and inspiring, as the more you look the more you see.

Vicky Shukuroglou and Simon Cottrell (2018 residents)

I had to create a routine that would enable me to work and appreciate the uniqueness of this experience. I started to walk every morning, followed by work sessions (drawing, weaving and pleating). It took time, but I began to develop a relation with the surroundings and enjoy the isolation

Marilou Chagnaud (2017 resident)

Working on the conservation of bogs and fens project was a creative and intellectual challenge in understanding how these natural systems work and the important role they play in the overall environment. Working in the space between art, science and conservation was particularly rewarding.

Sally Blake (2014 resident)