EOI: Artist wellbeing and professional development program

⁠⁠⁠Play in Residence is a six‑week subsidised professional development program designed for early and mid‑career artists.

With a cyclical structure and extended contact time, Play in Residence responds directly to the sector’s call for new conversations around resilience that instead focus on the wellbeing of artists. At the end of six weeks participants and will learn how to acknowledge colonial time, nurture connection, and prioritise relational, responsive ways of working that will facilitate a lifelong practice of making.

Responding to questions such as why are we making art? What is art for? Why does it hurt? Why can't I stop? What is my story? Why do I bother? Across six sessions artists will explore purpose and map how to protect stories and dignity as they carry themselves through industry, community and society.

The program

Produced by Yarra City Arts and guided by the knowledge and expertise of Leah Manaema Avene of Co Culture, participants will immerse themselves in weekly three-hour Thursday morning sessions 28 May – 2 July held in person in Collingwood.

Each session will be filled with food, play, storytelling, and hands-on skills development in a small group where wellbeing, creativity and community are treated as essential conditions of arts practice.

Eligibility

This six week, fully subsidised opportunity invites early and midcareer artists to participate and is applicable to all disciplines.

How to Apply

Applications close midnight 12 May 2026

To register your expression of interest visit Play in Residence: Artist Wellbeing Professional Development EOI - City of Yarra Grants

Applicants required to fill out a quick EOI outlining why they want to participate, what's important to them and outline some recent projects that are realised or works in progress.

Got questions?

Please contact Celina Lei, Arts Officer celina.lei@yarracity.vic.gov.au