To research innovative and successful artists residency programs to apply in an Australian context

The following recommendations are to assist the Australian cultural sector move toward a global leadership in arts, culture and creativity and provide a range of practical suggestions for an expansion of creative residency programs.

• Australian creative leaders, Indigenous leaders, governments, philanthropic organisations and individuals need to vision and resource residency programs that are capable of attracting the world’s most promising creative talent and placing them in direct contact and exchange with local practitioners and local communities.

• Australia should create, and invest in, a large-scale Centre for Arts and Creativity that supports local and international artists and the pursuit of creative endeavour across a range of disciplines, including performing arts, visual, digital and media arts, literary arts, architecture, and design. This Centre and its programs should have an underpinning commitment to Indigenous arts, culture, history and leadership.

• The features of a large-scale Centre for Arts and Creativity should include:

a. a cultural location or destination that reflects what is unique about Australia’s natural environment and therefore attractive to overseas practitioners and cultural institutions.

b. an underpinning commitment to Indigenous leadership, history and programs.

c. a focus on creating a learning experience as well as a creative experience.

d. a funding model that includes revenue from government, philanthropic, international, universities, and self-generated sources.

e. a series of programs that are outcome driven as well as self-directed, target and cater to creative practitioners at different points in their career, and facilitate and support exchange between overseas and local participants.

f. a range of purpose built facilities that can support interdisciplinary programs and create revenue streams.

g. an active and highly visible public program that presents the work of creative practitioners, a percentage of which has been generated on site.

• Existing and newly established medium sized residency programs in Australia that provide programs for local artists should build capacity to attract overseas practitioners and leverage revenue opportunities from international cultural agencies and foundations.

• Depending on their unique value proposition, medium sized residency programs wanting to attract high calibre international practitioners should consider the following range of best practice features and strategies:

a. Location, Facilities and Programs

b. Governance, Funding and Partnerships