BR Whiting Studio, Rome

Applications are now closed.

Applications close: Tuesday 22 October 2019 at midnight AEDT.

Location: Rome, Italy

Art form: Literature

Length of residency: 3 months or 6 months

Dates: 

• 24 August 2020 – 6 November 2020 (three months)
• 16 November – 29 January 2021 (three months)
• 8 February 2021 – 6 August 2021 (six months)

Grant amount: $20,000 for the six month residency; $10,000 for the three month residencies

Information Pack: learn more about the studio, accommodation, local area, and travel arrangements by downloading the information pack. 

Guidelines: read the guidelines for information on assessment criteria, the selection process, support material, and how to submit an application.

Technical and administrative support will not be available after 5pm on the closing date.

About BR Whiting

The BR Whiting Studio is an apartment in the Roman neighbourhood of Trastevere. The apartment was given to the Australia Council by Lorri Whiting, the wife of the late writer B.R. ‘Bertie’ Whiting, originally for the benefit of Australian poets. Poets are encouraged to apply for the residency. The studio contains a collection of more than 2,000 books that previous residents have added to over the years.

Residency Opportunity

The BR Whiting Studio residency is an opportunity for artists to direct their own program of activity and expand their practice and networks in Rome. Rome is a city rich in history, culture and religion. There are many opportunities for a writer to connect with bookshops, literary societies, universities, academics and translators. Artists are encouraged to make contacts prior to the commencement of their residency. Several previous residents have organised readings through universities and institutions such as the Keats Shelley House.

Please note, in 2020-21, we are offering one six month residency and two three month residencies in the BR Whiting Studio.

Accommodation and workspace

The apartment is in a security building within walking distance from Roma Trastevere train station, and close to the River Tiber. A short distance away is the old district of Trastevere, which alongside its historic significance, boasts some of the best pizzerias and bars in Rome.

The apartment consists of a spacious multi-purpose room, a bedroom, bathroom, and library annexe. A door from the main room leads onto a leafy terrace that overlooks the rooftops of Rome and its surrounding hills. The main room contains the kitchen and dining area, a desk, sofa, sofa bed, storage cupboard (containing vacuum cleaner, ironing board etc.), coffee table, electric heater and wood stove. There is also a printer and a television. The bedroom contains a clothes cupboard and a double bed. Bed linen and blankets are supplied. There is a washing machine in the bathroom, a telephone and ADSL internet connection. Residents are responsible for cleaning the apartment and for purchasing cleaning materials.

Access and Inclusion

The BR Whiting studio is not wheelchair accessible and has limited flexibility regarding physical access needs. A guide dog, and/or a carer could accompany the artist for the residency, as the living quarters can accommodate two people.

Residents

2019-2020

• Gabriella Coslovich
• Stuart Cooke

2018-2019

• Fiona McFarlane
• Emily Bitto

2017-2018

• Kristel Thornell
• Josephine Rowe

Past Residencies

Debra Porch Award  Art form: Visual arts

Kyoto Art Center Residency Exchange  Art form: Visual arts

Mordant Family/Australia Council Affiliated Fellowship. 

Art form: Visual arts

First Peoples residencies

• Blue Cabin, Vancouver