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Arts, Design & Architecture Arts & Media

SAM Alumni Creative Residency & Grant

SAM Alumni sitting in theatre

The School of the Arts & Media (SAM) Alumni Creative Residency supports recent graduates in their professional creative endeavours. This flexible residency program is designed to bolster the development of your creative project through access to UNSW facilities, resources and networks

This opportunity is open to SAM alumni from all creative disciplines. For up to two weeks, you will have access to the resources and expertise of the Creative Practice Lab (CPL) and the and the facilities of the School of the Arts & Media including technical, production and creative support as well as access to industry networks. You also have the opportunity to make connections with relevant academic, teaching and research staff (where appropriate).

Overall facilities could include:

  • rehearsal and performance spaces
  • recording studios
  • audio-visual equipment
  • workshops
  • props and costumes stores.

For 2024/25, SAM are able to offer a small stipend to artists completing the residency. In your application, please outline any fixed costs associated with your residency. This could include technical equipment, materials, production costs, staffing.

Read about our previous recipients along with other visiting artists here.

Please note:

  • use of certain facilities may require an induction and not all facilities may be available during your allocated time.
  • Successful applicants will be asked to complete some form of artist engagement with research and/or teaching and learning in ADA. This could include any activity that is also relevant and of value to their development, such as: an open studio, guest lecture, intern, research exchange with relevant staff researcher, Q&A in appropriate tutorial, research presentation, student observation of rehearsal.
  • The residency times are scheduled around SAM’s teaching and research activities, so your residency time may be split across several weeks. Although every effort will be made to accommodate your requests, all residencies are subject to availability and will not be confirmed until UNSW timetabling is released at the start of each term.
  • All public facing outcomes taking place outside of business hours will require the resident to hire a duty technician to be on site for the duration. This will be at the cost of the resident.

  • Focused time and space: Residencies provide artists with dedicated time and space away from daily distractions, allowing for deep concentration on their creative practice.

    Artistic growth: The immersive environment of a residency can lead to significant artistic development and experimentation with new ideas or techniques.

    Access to resources: Residencies often provide access to specialized equipment, facilities, or expertise that artists might not have in their usual working environments.

    Networking: Artists can connect with peers, mentors, and industry professionals, potentially leading to future opportunities and partnerships.

  • It is expected that you will share some part of your process and/or results of the residency. We ask that you engage with students and/or staff in some way. This may be in the form of a masterclass, public showing, seminar presentation.

    We will discuss engagement opportunities with the recipient(s) and support them in finding a mutually beneficial engagement outcome. You can see our areas of research and practice on the SAM website here.

    The successful applicant will also be required to write a brief report at the conclusion of the residency. This helps us to support future residencies.

  • Applications for the 2024 SAM Alumni Creative Residency & Grant are now open. Residencies will be completed between December 2024 – June 2025. Applications close midnight, November 30. We will contact you with the outcome by December 14, 2024.

    Each residency can apply for up to 2 weeks of space and if successful, we will work with you to find time around the teaching calendar for your residency. Please note, this can be one block of time, or split up into smaller chunks of time across a longer period.
    1. The SAM Alumni Residency Program is open to creative practitioners who have graduated from UNSW Sydney and completed with a major or equivalent pathway and/or postgraduate studies in the School of the Arts & Media (SAM).
    2. Studies can have been in any discipline within SAM. The disciplines are: Creative Writing, English, Film Studies, Media, Music, and Theatre and Performance.
    3. Graduates who completed their studies between 2010–2023 inclusive are eligible to apply.
    4. You need to have completed at least one professional creative output, for example, a paid production/performance; publication; public film screening; exhibition; commissioned music composition; music recording. If unsure, please contact us by email.

  • Artistic Merit

    Demonstrate your record as a creative practitioner in your chosen field(s).

    Project ambition and innovation

    Describe what you want out of this residency and how it expands your practice and chosen artform(s).

    Project viability

    Can you do what you are planning to do within the Residencies timeframe and resources available?

    Please note, SAM has the right to not offer a residency if applicants don’t meet the selection criteria.
    1. Check your eligibility, as explained above.
    2. Prepare everything for submission via the online form.
      • The form will ask:
        • Who you are: name and contact details
        • Graduate details: degree, zID, year graduated
        • What would you like to explore in your residency (1200 characters max)
        • How would you like to use the space and/or resources offered during the residency? (1200 characters max)
        • Do you have any ideas for how you might engage with research and/or teaching and learning in ADA? (600 characters max)
        • Preferred months of availability to complete residency
    3. Double-check your links to supporting material then submit your application through the online form.
    4. We will send you a confirmation of receipt. Please check with us if you don't receive a confirmation email.
    5. Applications close midnight, November 30. We will contact you with the outcome by December 14, 2024.

  • Applications will be assessed by UNSW academic and professional staff, a UNSW alumni representative, and an invited industry guest.

    All applicants will be notified by 14 December 2024. Timing is dependent on the number of applications and the complexity of selection process.

  • Applications for the 2024 SAM Alumni Creative Residency & Grant are now open. Applications close midnight, November 30.

    When you are ready, submit your

  • Contact SAM Artistic Coordinator Harriet Gillies if you would like to discuss your application at h.gillies@unsw.edu.au

  • What are the disciplines in SAM?

    • Creative Writing
    • English and Literary Studies
    • Film Studies
    • Media
    • Music
    • Theatre and Performance

    What are the available resources SAM can offer?

    We can offer:

    • Rehearsal spaces with sprung floor and basic AV setup
    • Io Myers Studio, a larger flexible flat floor performance studio
    • Studio One, a smaller black box performance and rehearsal studio
    • music rehearsal rooms
    • audio-visual equipment (video cameras, video and slide projectors, theatre and film lights, sound recording equipment)
    • props and costumes.

    We will do our best to match your preferred times to your requested resources. Read more about our venues.

    Can groups apply?

    Yes.

    What if I’m part of a group and the only SAM Alumni?

    This is fine if the SAM Alumni is a key member of the group.

    What if I work across disciplines?

    Artists who work within a focused discipline or across a range of disciplines are welcome.