Arts NT Fellowship FAQ
How much is the application fee for the program?
There are no application fees for this program.
If I am successful, are there any fees for participating in the program?
There are no fees for participating in this program.
Residency fellowships include meals and accommodation for two weeks. You will also receive a budget of $1500 towards expenses such as travel, manuscript consultations, or accommodation in Sydney on the way through to the Blue Mountains. This means you can design your fellowship program to suit their individual needs.
Virtual fellowships do not include any allowance for out-of-pocket expenses.
Am I required to take my fellowship at a specific time of year?
Physical residencies will need to be taken between January and June 2025, subject to availability in the house. Virtual residencies will occur in the week from Monday 5 February to Monday 12 February 2025.
When will I be notified regarding the outcome?
You will be notified of the outcome of your submission by email, and the fellowship recipients will be announced on our website in late October 2024.
Will I receive feedback on my work?
Selectors do not discuss the selection process or offer individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
I’ve missed the deadline. Can I still submit an application?
No. Unfortunately, no applications will be accepted after the deadline date.
I submitted work to the Arts NT fellowship program last year. Can I resubmit the same work this year?
While there is no limit to how often you may apply for a fellowship or how many different fellowships you may apply for, we request that you do not resubmit a work that you have already submitted to the same program in a previous year unless there has been substantial reworking/revision.
I do not have a complete manuscript yet. Can I still apply?
Absolutely.
Is there a word limit for my submission?
Yes, the word limit is 10,000 words.
Does Varuna have access for writers with disability or who are D/deaf?
We now have a wheelchair-accessible studio and a Disability Inclusion Action Plan so we can work on eliminating potential barriers to accessing our programs. If you are a writer with disability, please read Accessibility at Varuna (inc DIAP and FAQ) and you can email maeve@varuna.com.au if you have any questions or to discuss your specific requirements.
Can a support worker stay with me during my residency?
If you notify us in advance of your residency that you would like a support worker to stay with you, we can make arrangements for them to either stay in a nearby holiday house or on-site if space is available. If you receive NDIS funding, we can provide any information required to ensure your NDIS support can be used to assist your stay.
Can I apply for more than one Varuna fellowship at a time?
Yes. For example, the Varuna Residential Fellowships are open at the same time as the Arts NT fellowship, and you are welcome to apply for both.
I received an Arts NT residency fellowship two years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship again this year?
No. There is a three-year time limit for each program. Therefore, if you received an Arts NT fellowship in 2021, you cannot apply for an Arts NT fellowship until 2023. However, you can apply for an Arts NT fellowship if you received a different Varuna fellowship within this period. For example, if you received an Affirm fellowship within the last three years, you are still eligible to apply for an Arts NT fellowship.
I received an Arts NT virtual fellowship two years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship again this year?
Yes. You are welcome to apply for an Arts NT fellowship, regardless of if you’ve had another residency fellowship in the past year.
Can I apply for a fellowship submitting work that is already under contract with a publisher?
Yes.
I work with another writer collaboratively. If our application is successful, can we come to Varuna together?
If your writing is genuinely a joint work, please contact maeve@varuna.com.au to explain your specific requirements. We will try to accommodate you if we possibly can.
Can I submit more than one application?
No.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants need to be an Australian citizen or have a permanent residency visa, be over 18 years old and be living in the Northern Territory.