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
Craft + Design Canberra, ACT Parks & Conservation Service, and our research partner National Zoo and Aquarium are pleased to once again present our acclaimed Artist-in-Residence program for contemporary craft practitioners and designers.
Applications for the 2025 Artist-in-Residence are now open!
The program will include:
- Research period at the National Zoo and Aquarium.
- Residency at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage in Namadgi National Park.
- Artist-in-residence Open Day which will include, artist talks, and artist-run workshops
- A group exhibition of contemporary craft and design work created as a result of the residency.
Applications are open until 14 June 2024.
2006 - 2020
Program Review
The acclaimed Craft + Design Canberra – ACT Parks Artist-in-Residence program has achieved so much, for so many people, for well over a decade. Craft + Design Canberra recently completed a program review of our acclaimed Artist-in-Residence program. Browse the document find out about the extraordinary results and information on the previous residents, exhibitions and program partners.
Testimonials
Kirstie Rea (2009 resident)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.
Vicky Shukuroglou and Simon Cottrell (2018 residents)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.
Marilou Chagnaud (2017 resident)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
Sally Blake (2014 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.