The Warehouse Residency is Arts House’s main commissioning pathway for Deaf and Disability led projects developed at North Melbourne Town Hall.
The Warehouse Residency centres and celebrates the development of new creative work led by Deaf and Disabled artists.
Now in its fourth year, we are excited to expand this program nationally. Artists from across Australia are invited to apply.
Two projects will be commissioned for development at Arts House in a supported residency model between 2025 – 2026.
We are looking for a wide range of ideas and projects from Australian-based performers and artists of any genre, curators, collectives and their collaborators that show an inclusive and experimental approach to performance and art making.
Arts House support the intersectionality of lived experiences and strongly encourage Deaf and Disabled people who belong to additional marginalised communities such as First Nations, Black, People of Colour, and LGBTQIA+ to apply.
The commission includes up to $47,000, itemised into the following: $30,000 residency and creative fees, $10,000 producing and production fees, $5,000 access budget and $2,000 towards artistic peer support. We also offer a bespoke professional and career development opportunities to selected artists to develop their practice whilst in residence.
Outcomes of the residency include a work in progress showing at the end of the residency period.
To learn more about what drives Arts House programming and curatorial decisions, read about our commitments to inclusion via our Disability Inclusion Action Plan and Equity—Builder.
Key Dates
- EOIs opened: Thursday 5 September, 9am AEST
- Online information session: Wednesday 25 September, 5.30pm AEST
- Venue tour and morning tea: Thursday 26 September, 10am AEST
- EOIs closed: Thursday 31 October, 3pm AEDT
- Selection meetings with short-listed artists: Thursday 5 and Friday 6 December
- Notifications: Friday 13 December
Information sessions and EOI support
Arts House EOI Info Session – on Zoom
Held on Wednesday 25 September, 5.30pm
Morning Tea and Venue Tour – in person at Arts House
Held on Thursday 26 September, 10am
Click here for more information and to register.
EOI Support with Arts Access Victoria
Arts Access Victoria is available to provide EOI support to Deaf and Disabled artists during the call out period until Wednesday 23 October. Contact Sarah Fiddaman (Monday – Thursday) sfiddaman@artsaccess.com.au or phone 03 8640 6007 (voice only) to arrange.
Key Downloads
- Frequently Asked Questions in PDF | in Word
- Easy English Program Guide
- Download budget template in Excel
- View venue information and accessibility – PDF | Word
- Audio about The Warehouse Residency
Each project receives up to $47,000:
- $30,000 residency fee
- $10,000 producer fee
- $5,000 access budget
- $2,000 artistic peer support
The Warehouse Residency provides:
- Up to 8 weeks of dedicated studio space in a supported residency
- Production and creative producing expertise
- Professional and career development sessions
- Access to technical equipment
- Access provision for audiences attending showings and talks
- Post-residency reflection and discussion of the works’ future
We want you to apply in the format that is easiest for you. You can submit these formats through the SmartyGrants EOI system:
- Written
- Video
- Auslan (we can arrange interpretation of your video if needed)
- Audio
Submit your EOI through SmartyGrants
Please contact us prior to the closing date if you need an extension, to submit your EOI outside of the SmartyGrants system or via a recorded Zoom for access reasons.
The advisory panel comprises of Deaf and Disabled independent artists:
- Walter Kadiki
- Olivia Muscat
- Renay Barker-Mulholland
- Crystal Nguyen
- Daley Rangi
The panel will advise on shortlist projects in consultation with the creative team at Arts House. They will recommend projects that respond strongly to the selection criteria:
- Artistic concept
- Deaf and/or Disability led
- Embraces experimentation and growth
- Viability
Shortlisted artists will be provided with $350 + superannuation to meet with Arts House’s Program Manager and Acting Artistic Director to discuss their projects in more detail prior to selection.
Meetings will be held on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 December 2024.
Read about the artists and projects across The Warehouse Residency in 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Selected participants have access to a dedicated studio space in North Melbourne called The Warehouse for up to 8 weeks.
View information about The Warehouse venue space – PDF | Word
There are two date options for when the residency takes place. You can select one or both options.
Option 1) Mon 25 August – Sun 12 October, with showing/s during the week of Mon 12 – Sun 19 October 2025
Option 2) Mon 16 February – Sun 5 April, with showing/s during the week of Mon 6 – Sun 12 April 2026.
These dates can be negotiated if your EOI is successful.
This is a national program for Australian performers and artists of any genre, curators, collectives and their collaborators to create new experimental projects within a supported residency model.
The Warehouse Residency is a five-year commitment from Arts House. Two projects will be supported each year, until 2027.
The Warehouse Residency was co-devised in 2021 by six independent Deaf, Disabled and neurodiverse artists – Luke King, Hannah Morphy-Walsh, Pauline Vetuna, Jonathan Craig, Kath Duncan and Eva Sifis, alongside Arts Access Victoria and Arts House. The group collectively decided on the following guiding principles:
- Respect the wisdom that lived experiences brings
- Be artist-led and self-determined
- Support multiple-marginalised Deaf and Disabled people
- Embrace flexibility and choice, and be responsive to the individual
- Create an environment of safety and care
- Support risk-taking and experimentation
Arts House strives to fulfil these principles and vision, and we extend this invitation to artists and partners participating in the program.
If you have read our documents and attended the Info Session but still have questions, please contact:
Sarah Rowbottam
Creative Producer
sarah.rowbottam@melbourne.vic.gov.au
0447 570 178 (text only) 03 9322 3720 (voice only) during business hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.
National Relay Service (NRS)
TTY users: phone 13 36 77 – then ask for – 03 9322 3720
Speak and Listen users: phone 1300 555 727 – then ask for – 03 9322 3720
Internet relay users: connect to the NRS (www.internet-relay.nrscall.gov.au) – then type in – 03 9322 3720
Image Credit: Pillow Talk by Jamila Main, Warehouse Residency Development Showing 2024, photo by Nicole Tsourlenes
Image Description: A dramatic photo of Jamila Main lying on a circular bed, on stage. The bed is covered with silky, peach toned sheets and is surrounded by sheer curtains, giving it a canopy-like appearance. The lighting is warm and focused on the bed, creating an intimate atmosphere with a darkened background. Jamila is wearing a rust-coloured nightdress with a script open across their bare thighs. They are sprawled on their back with one arm stretched out, looking relaxed and expressive. The image is cropped and positioned inside a bold red rectangle.
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