Creative Research Residencies

Pioneer Sugar Mill, Register of Pacific Islanders Employed at Pioneer in the District of Townsville: Schedule L (1895-1906), Manuscript (handwritten), 94 pages, 37 x 27cm, JCU Library Pioneer Sugar Mill Archive, James Cook University. Photography by Michael Marzik. nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/416

Umbrella invites regional Australian visual artists to apply for the Creative Research Residencies, a program supporting artists to undertake a one-month period of research and development in Gurambilbarra / Townsville.

Delivered in partnership with James Cook University, the residencies connect artists with the rich cultural and historical narratives of North Queensland through archival research and studio-based practice.

Artists will begin their residency with research at Special Collections in the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library at James Cook University, exploring rare books, library archives, photographs and objects relating to the history of the region. Artists will then spend three weeks developing new ideas and creative directions in The Studio at Umbrella.

Three artists will be selected to undertake residencies during set months between June 2026 and August 2027. Two places are available for artists based in the Gurambilbarra / Townsville region and one place is available for an artist living in another regional area of Australia.

Research and Studio Facilities

Special Collections
Special Collections holds rare and fragile materials - much of which is relevant to North Queensland’s history, including rare books, library archives photographs, and art objects. Artists will be supported by Special Collections staff to identify relevant materials and access the collections during the first week of their residency. Possible research themes include place, migration, the reef, colonialism, pastoralism, industry and people. 

The 50 Treasures Project is a great introduction to the collections. Further information about Special Collections can be found here.

Touch base with the expert staff at the JCU Library Special Collections to ensure that material relevant to your research topic is held and available for use. Contact Special Collections here or send an enquiry to [email protected]

The Studio
Artists will spend three weeks in The Studio engaging in developmental work in response to their research at Special Collections. Umbrella’s multi-disciplinary studio includes general working space, along with specialised facilities for printmaking, silversmithing and darkroom photography. The Studio provides an environment where artists can focus on research and development, experiment with materials and processes, and connect with other artists working in the space. Learn more about The Studio facilities here.

Applicants should demonstrate competence in the techniques they wish to explore during their residency to enable independent use of The Studio. Artists will need to supply their own materials for the residency.

Small copper sculpture made by Alison McDonald during her 2023 Creative Research Residency investigating seaweed. Photograph: Amanda Galea.

Learn about the 2023 Creative Research Residencies undertaken by Alison McDonald and Shivanjani Lal here.

Selection and eligibility

The Creative Research Residencies are open to regional Australian visual artists who are:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Living in regional Australia
• Emerging or mid-career practitioners

Three artists will be selected:

• Two artists living and working in the Gurambilbarra / Townsville region
  Artists must be able to travel each day to JCU and Umbrella (or other agreed upon research locations) during the residency. View a map of the region here.
• One artist living in a regional area of Australia outside Gurambilbarra / Townsville
  Your location must be classified MM2–MM7 under the Modified Monash Model. Check the MMM classification of your residential address here.

Selection will be based on the artistic merit of previous work, strength of the project proposal, alignment of proposed research to Special Collections material and North Queensland themes, and the potential for professional growth through the residency.

Payment and support

Selected artists will receive:

• An artist fee of $4,923 ex GST
• Research support from Special Collections staff
• Eight hours of assistance in The Studio from a local artist

The artist based outside of the Gurambilbarra / Townsville region will also receive:

• A travel allowance of $1,120 ex GST
• Accommodation arranged and paid for by Umbrella

Expectations of the artist

The Creative Research Residencies offer regional Australian artists an opportunity to explore and develop new ideas and directions that will enhance their practice. There is no obligation for artists to produce a finished body of work during the residency.

Artists participating in the Creative Research Residencies are expected to:

• Undertake one week (four days) of research at Special Collections
• Engage in three weeks (15 days, Monday – Friday) of studio-based research and development in The Studio at Umbrella
• Commit focused time to research and creative experimentation during the residency
• Present a public artist talk at the conclusion of the residency
• Exhibit new work or work in progress in the Studio Showcase at Umbrella

Artists may also have the opportunity to discuss future exhibition proposals with Umbrella’s curatorial team.

Sir Russell Drysdale (donor), Sir Russell Drysdale's Gift of Rare books, Printed Australiana: 56 Volumes, 36 publications - the majority having been published during the 18th and 19th Centuries (a selection depicted), JCU Library Rare Book Collection, James Cook University. Photography by Michael Marzik. nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/761

This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance

Applications Now Closed