Parramatta Artists Studios is an initiative of the City of Parramatta Council.  

Through our supported studio facilities in Granville and Rydalmere, we offer studio spaces, residencies, career development opportunities and community-connected programs. These programs connect artists with Parramatta’s wider communities and contribute to its vibrant culture.

Parramatta Artists Studios has supported hundreds of artists to build and grow their practices in Western Sydney, many of whom are at the forefront of contemporary artistic practice in Australia and internationally. 

Read the Studio Application Guidelines for the Studio Program for which you are applying – PAS Granville, PAS Rydalmere, or both.

You will be required to prepare responses to a series of Key Questions, as well as Support Material. These can be input or uploaded to the Application Form along with responses to a series of general questions. The form also contains a section where you can select which studio facility – PAS Granville or PAS Rydalmere, or both – you would prefer your application is assessed for.

While the Application Process for PAS Granville and PAS Rydalmere is the same, each studio facility has different features and applications are assessed by separate Selection Committees.

View the PAS Rydalmere Studio Application Guidelines.

If you have read and understood the Studio Application Guidelines and are ready to apply, you may proceed to the Application Form. 

• Applications are open to:

  – Artists working in all disciplines as well as hybrid and cross-form practices
  – Artists 18 years of age and over
  – Artists working collaboratively as part of a collective (you will need to nominate one person to submit the application on behalf of the collective)

• You cannot apply if:

  – You have an outstanding grant acquittal to the City of Parramatta
  – You are a full-time student currently undertaking your first undergraduate degree or other tertiary course (e.g. TAFE)
  – You are unable to reside in Sydney, Australia for the majority of the studio tenancy

The Selection Criteria have been developed to ensure that studio selection is aligned to the strategic and organisational priorities of Parramatta Artists Studios.

Your application will be reviewed against each of the Selection Criteria, which are individually weighted and combined to provide an overall assessment that informs selection for the Studio Program.

• Artistic Rigour: 40%

  – Demonstrated quality and depth of research
  – Evidence of formal or material breadth and experimentation
  – Prior exhibition or presentation experience

• Career Impact: 40%

  – Meaningful stage of practice and professional development, connected to upcoming opportunities
  – Potential to benefit from and engage with Parramatta Artists Studios curatorial and programming initiatives

• Local Sector Development: 20%

  – Capacity to meaningfully engage with or contribute to the development of creative communities in Western Sydney
  – Capacity to benefit from and enhance the Parramatta Artists Studios community and program 

Applicants should carefully consider what to include in their Support Material. It should represent the strongest examples of your work to date, or work in progress. It is also recommended that applicants provide contextualising information, such as titles of works, years of production, materials, exhibition/publication/presentation details etc. The Application Form contains fields for applicants to provide their Support Material as a PDF document or as one or more URL links examples of their work.  

PDF Support Material can be created using a variety of applications such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Word, Google Docs or Slides, or even Adobe Indesign. Parramatta Artists Studios has provided applicants with a downloadable PowerPoint Template example of how they might present their Support Material, including examples of how to provide contextualising information. The use of this template is not compulsory, but it may help inform how you format and design your Support Material.

Download the Support Material Template PowerPoint.

You can also view the Support Material Template as a PDF.

We acknowledge that online forms and application systems are not accessible for everyone. Parramatta Artists Studios is able to offer alternative application pathways, including audio/video recordings, or via a print-out of the Application Form. If you would like to utilise this support, please send an email to: 

• Nithya Nagarajan, Curator and Artist Development 
  nnagarajan@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au 

Parramatta Artists Studios has engaged Morwenna Collett Consulting to develop resources and provide support to applicants with access requirements. 

• Deaf and Disabled artists applying for a studio at Parramatta Artists Studios can book a 1-hour session with Accessibility Consultants Morwenna Collett or Frances Robinson for application support. Morwenna or Frances can help talk through your ideas, take notes, assist with the Application Form, or discuss any access needs. Book a free session here.
• A Visual Story is a resource that helps applicants explore our studios through easy to understand and accessible language and images. Download the PAS Rydalmere Visual Story.

If you cannot find a time that works for you via the link, or would like to discuss your access needs, please send an email to:

• Morwenna Collett, Accessibility Consultant
  morwennacollett@gmail.com

We provide a range of free in-person and online Information Sessions.

During these Information Sessions, we will guide prospective applicants step-by-step through the Application Process for both Studio Programs.

More information and registration details for these Information Sessions can be found below and in the What’s On section of our website.

Online General Information Session 
12–1pm AEST Tuesday 29 April 

Disability-led Information Session 
6–7pm AEST Wednesday 30 April

In-Person General Information Session  
6–7pm AEST Wednesday 7 May 

First Nations-led Information Session 
6–7pm AEST Tuesday 13 May 

The Parramatta Artists Studios team can provide answers to a range of questions about the application process for both Studio Programs.

For enquiries related to the PAS Granville Program, please contact:

• JD Reforma, Curator and Artist Development 
  jreforma@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au 

For enquiries related to the PAS Rydalmere Program, please contact:

• Nithya Nagarajan, Curator and Artist Development 
  nnagarajan@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au 

I am a present or prior recipient of the Studio Program at Parramatta Artists Studios. Am I eligible to apply for the upcoming Studio program?

Yes. PAS believes in building a community of practice in Western Sydney and sustaining relationships with artists at different points of their careers.

If you wish to re-apply for a studio, applicants are asked to articulate the specific reason the Studio Program is timely for their practice at this stage of their professional journey.  

Current PAS Granville artists are eligible to apply for a studio at either/both PAS Granville and/or PAS Rydalmere.  

Current PAS Rydalmere artists are only eligible to apply for a studio at PAS Granville.  

What is the main difference between the PAS Granville and PAS Rydalmere programs?

PAS Granville is a one-year subsidised Studio Program open to artists working in any discipline and at any stage of their career. Two studios at PAS Granville are wheelchair-accessible.  

PAS Rydalmere is a two-year subsidised Studio Program open to mid-career and established artists working in any discipline. PAS Rydalmere is not a wheelchair-accessible studio.  

Can I apply for both PAS Granville and PAS Rydalmere Studio programs?  

Yes, you can apply for both opportunities through a single application.

The Application Form contains a section for applicants to indicate and rationalise their studio preference. Applicants are encouraged to read through both guideline documents in detail and ascertain their suitability for each.  

Are artist collectives eligible to apply?

Yes, artist collectives are eligible to apply. A representative of the collective has to apply on the portal as the lead applicant on behalf of the collective.  

When will I be notified of the application outcome?

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by mid-June 2025. Studio Tenancies commence in early August 2025.  

Will I receive feedback regarding my application?

PAS understands the importance of feedback to career development and growth, however, due to the high volume of applications we are unable to provide feedback customised to every applicant. PAS will provide general feedback on the Studio Application round as a whole, suggestions for what makes a strong application, as well as considerations for future rounds.  

Can I live in my studio?  

No. PAS Granville and PAS Rydalmere are non-residential studios. Studio Artists have access to their studios 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  

Will I be able to host events at the studio?  

The studios are private working facilities. Any events, public or private, hosted by Studio Artists must be discussed with and agreed to by Parramatta Artists Studios.

Are there access accommodations or upgrades that can be made to the studio?  

We will work with incumbent Studio Artists to support access accommodations or upgrades where feasible.