Residency application

The VWA runs a three year Artist in Residency program for emerging fine woodworkers, which provides a well-equipped and supportive environment at low cost while artists are establishing their practice.

Applicants are generally early career and have some training in fine woodwork, able to work independently, along with clear goals on what they expect to achieve during their residency. A portfolio of existing work is part of the application process.

Successful applicants understand that while in residence they are part of the broader VWA family and are asked to work cooperatively with each other as well as the teachers and students at the Victorian School of Woodwork.

The VWA residency program application has been extended to August 9th 2024.

Provide an outline of your goals as a VWA Resident.

In the next fields, please detail your experience in the use and maintenance of the different tool and machine types.

If you do not have an immediate client base, or pipeline of work, generating income is challenging. What other current work or financial support do you have to ensure you will be able to pay your rent on time each month for the next 12 months?

If you have any online presence, e.g. Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc ... please list the links here. *include full links, e.g. 'https://'

What is your preferred start date?

If unsuccessful in this round, would you like to be notified in the future when another space becomes available?

Enter any other notes or information you would like to provide.

Upload a PDF file of a folio of your works. Commentary is expected for each piece of work: e.g. What it is, what it's made from, how it was made, how long it took to make, why it was made.

File name:

File size:

The VWA is both a supporting entity and a community of like minded professionals and students. It is this community that will be providing funds to subsidise your rent at the VWA. The VWA does not receive any contributions from the government or other entities. Consequently the VWA expects commitment from you that you will be involved in VWA activities. Examples of these activities are:

  1. Contributing towards upkeep and maintenance of approximately 1 hour per week (at our discretion), as directed by the workshop maintenance technician.
  2. Exhibit in all VWA Exhibitions (no exhibitions currently planned)
  3. Make an end of year presentation to VWA Members and the Committee on past progress and future plans.
  4. Maintaining a digital folio of both work in progress and completed pieces that you make during the year. Regularly provide VWA with these images to use on social media, in newsletters and other ways in promoting the VWA, Artist in Residence programme and you, the artist.
  5. Attend VWA social events where possible.
  6. Be on site a minimum of 2 days per week.
Do you confirm that you understand the commitment expected from you?

The VWA workshop is a shared facility between Wood Design Centre tenants, School of Woodcraft students, and VWA Members. Consequently a high standard of cleanliness is expected. As a tenant you are expected to keep the shared workspaces clean, blown down, swept down, and vacuumed as required.

Do you understand and agree to this requirement?

Provide names, email addresses, and phone number of referees.