Focus your artistic practice in the unique environment of historic Cossack town
Applications for Artist in Residence now closed
2025 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Artist in Residence Program
Open to all Australians, the $20,000 Artist in Residence program, facilitated by the City of Karratha with Principal Partner Rio Tinto, supports the relocation of a selected artist to the remote WA town of Cossack for a four-week period. During this time, the artist creates a body of works from an onsite studio space and delivers expert workshops to the community as part of the public program.
Provided with remote, historic accommodation and studio space, artist’s fee, travel, art supplies and living expenses during their residency, the selected artist is presented with the opportunity to truly focus on their artistic practice in the unique environment that is the historic town of Cossack.
The 2025 Artist in Residence will be hosted from 14 July to 11 August 2025, complementing the exhibition and a range of Public Programs presented to generate interest in the visual arts and craft in our region, providing skills development opportunities for local artists, art enthusiasts and visitors. Applications close on 15 December 2024.
Keep reading for information on the expectations of the Artist in Residence
Expectations of the Artist in Residence
Relocate to Cossack for a four-week period from 14 July 2025 to 11 August 2025.
Reside in the historic town of Cossack, a 10-minute drive from Wickham and 45-minute drive from Karratha.
Reside in backpacker style accommodation.
Work from a basic historic studio space (access to power and water from the kitchen).
Be self-sufficient in commuting from Karratha to Cossack and any other required travel.
Be available for all media opportunities, including radio interviews, presented by City of Karratha in relation to the Cossack Art Awards.
Be a part of the judging panel for the Cossack Children’s Awards.
Engage with the local community and its visitors throughout their residency.
Work from the Artist in Residence studio space which will be open to the public from 10am to 3pm Wednesday to Sunday each week during the residency and provide visitors with the opportunity to communicate with them and view their progress.
Engage in discussions with the local community and its visitors.
Attend the 2025 Cossack Art Awards Sponsor Preview and Gala Awards Night both held on the first weekend of the exhibition.
Speak publicly at key events during the exhibition, including the closing event and announcing the winners of the Children’s Art Awards.
Engage in workshops/artist talks coordinated by the City of Karratha.
Be a confident public speaker and provide a minimum of two 3 to 5 hour public ticketed workshops and a 1 hour artist talk as part of the Cossack Art Awards 2025 Program, potentially based on; techniques, inspiration, career building as an artist, media/social media.
Engage in an access and inclusion workshop run by an external facilitator.
Ensure that the nature of the Workshops and topics for Artist Talks are in line with the residency and relevant to the artist.
Be required to engage with the education program facilitator who runs an artwork shop with high school & primary school groups.
Produce a minimum of two fully completed works during their residency at Cossack which are;
Inspired by the residency.
Suitable for public presentation and display for the final weekend of the Cossack Art Awards 2025.
Made available for media purposes with the City of Karratha retaining publishing rights.
Made available for the City of Karratha to use in marketing communications activities.
Available for the City of Karratha to retain for up to a eight week period following the residency for an exhibition at the Red Earth Arts Precinct. They will be returned to the artist at the cost of the City of Karratha. The dates and further details for this exhibition will be provided to the Artist in Residence upon appointment.
Document the residency using a range of digital platforms highlighting experiences, inspiration and works in progress, including, but not limited to;
Your own social media; the Artist in Residence is encouraged to utilise social media on a regular basis and tag the Cossack Art Awards social media handles (@CossackArtAwards on Facebook and Instagram), creating engaging content twice weekly throughout the residency.
Video uploads and blogging on your website;
Written diary entries with photos that can be uploaded to the Cossack Art Awards website.
At the completion of the residency the Artist in Residence will submit a final report summarizing their experience in Cossack, the works they have created and any recommendations for the future Artist in Residence programs.
The successful applicant will receive a Notice of Award, outlining terms and conditions of the residency, contact information and payment terms.
Accommodation at Cossack heritage site and expenses
The Artist in Residence will reside in backpacker style accommodation:
This includes a private room, shared kitchen and shared bathroom/laundry.
They can bring a partner to share the room, which offers a double bed, or accommodation for any additional people will be at their own arrangement and expense.
Please note there is no Wi-Fi on site.
Pets are not permitted
Management of the booking of accommodation throughout the Artist in Residence program:
The City will manage the booking of accommodation at the Cossack Heritage site from Monday 14 July 2025 to Monday 11 August 2025 at an estimated cost of $4,900 plus GST.
Other expenses:
The remaining amount of $15,100 plus GST will be paid to the Artist in Residence to cover;
Car hire and travel expenses.
Art supplies.
Food, water and consumables.
Any other associated living expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions we have received around our Artist in Residence Program. If your question isn’t answered below, please do get in touch and we’ll be happy to help!
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The Artist in Residence Program is open to all Australian artists.
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This opportunity is available for artists at any stage of their career. However, artists should have at least 3 years minimum as a practicing artist and be able to demonstrate an active practice with exhibition and public outcomes.
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Yes, we welcome applications from artists working across all mediums. Due to the public nature of the residency, it is more suited to artists who are used to working in the public realm and having interaction with the general public.
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As much as we love a good pet, we unfortunately are not able to accommodate them and they are not permitted to join you in your residency.
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Yes, you may bring a partner, but accommodation for any additional people will be at your own arrangement and expense.
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Kindly be aware that as a remote regional town, the most reliable mobile phone and internet service in the area is provided by Telstra, and service is not always strong. However, mobile phone and internet coverage from a range of providers is available in the vicinity of our nearest towns, namely Wickham, Roebourne, and Karratha.
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You will be expected to work from the Artist in Residence studio space, at a minimum, during the studio space public opening hours of 10am to 3pm Wednesday to Sunday. The Artist in Residence is welcome to enjoy Mondays and Tuesdays however they please.
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Yes, the you will be working from a studio space that is open to the public, and will be expected to engage in a friendly and informative manner. You will also be expected to run workshops and speak at public events, as outlined in the expectations section above.
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Yes, the Artist in Residence will produce a minimum of two fully completed works during their residency at Cossack.
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The City will manage the booking of accommodation at the Cossack Heritage site from 14 July 2024 to 11 August 2025 at an estimated cost of $4,900 plus GST.
The remaining $15,100 funds will be allocated to support the Artist in Residence during the specified period. This includes covering expenses such as car hire and travel costs, art supplies, daily necessities like food and water, and any other living expenses associated with the residency.
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All applications are considered final once submitted and may not be edited.
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Please contact the Cossack Art Awards team on (08) 9186 8555 or email cossack.art@karratha.wa.gov.au to advise of any changes to your contact or reference information.
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Please contact the Cossack Art Awards team on (08) 9186 8555 or email cossack.art@karratha.wa.gov.au to advise of your issues and we will try our best to provide assistance.
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Yes, the application platform (JotForm) offers the option to sign up for an account so you may login at a later time and complete the application. Alternatively, if you choose to not sign up to the platform, you may select to have your incomplete application emailed to you to complete at a later date. To avoid disappointment and potential technical errors, we suggest completing the application in a single sitting.
Hear from past Artists in Residence
2024 Artist in Residence Katie Barron talks about her time at Cossack
“It was a very introspective time and was nice to be able to slow right down and let place and art completely take over. I became obsessed with the tidal patterns and the way you could almost see the landscape breathe. This inspired my body of work I created during the residency.”
Alice Boardman, Artist in Residence 2023
“My time as the Cossack Artist in Residence was terrific. It was beyond what I’ve ever experienced. It was a connection with the land, with painting, with me as an artist, and with the people.”
Annette Peterson, Artist in Residence 2022