KEY DATES
Applications open: Monday 1 June 2026 @ 12 noon ACST
Applications close: Wednesday 15 July 2026 @ 11:59pm ACST
Residency Period: 1 April – 25 June 2027
ABOUT THE RESIDENCY
The British School At Rome (BSR) residency is a once in a lifetime opportunity for an emerging South Australian visual artist to undertake a three-month residency in the heart of Rome, Italy.
The selected candidate will develop their arts practice at BSR whilst taking full advantage of the school’s world-renowned research facilities and access to the artistic and academic community. As one of the world’s most culturally rich cities, the artist is given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and the artistic history of Rome.
Valued at $30,000, the residency includes;
- An allocated studio space at the BSR
- Residential accommodation at the BSR
- Meals six nights per week
- $5,000 stipend
This opportunity has extended eligibility for Helpmann eligible graduates for up to seven years from your final year of study.
The residency will take place from 1 April – 25 June 2027.
ABOUT THE BRITISH SCHOOL AT ROME
BSR is a centre of interdisciplinary research excellence in Rome, Italy. It is one of the leading research institutes and most prestigious foreign academies in the Italian capital.
BSR supports practice-led research and research-led practice across the full range of arts, humanities, and social sciences. The BSR creates an environment for work of international standing and impact from Britain and the Commonwealth, and a bridge into the intellectual and cultural heart of Rome and Italy.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications are invited from graduates with a practice in visual arts who hold supported degrees from our partner institutions – Adelaide University and Flinders University – up to seven (7) years from graduation.
Honours students and graduates (up to seven years following the final year of study) are also eligible to apply, provided honours study was undertaken directly following their undergraduate degree.
Please note that Masters and PhD graduates and candidates are not eligible to apply unless they still qualify through their undergraduate or honours degree.
To check your eligibility, please visit the Who We Support page on our website.
Applicants with an overdue acquittal will be considered ineligible for this opportunity.
*Graduates of the University of South Australia or the University of Adelaide are also eligible to apply.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
- Check your eligibility
- Read this Information for Applicants guideline
- Book a chat with the Program Manager to discuss your application
- Read our Grant Writing Tip Sheet here
APPLICATION
Applications are made via the required form on the Helpmann Academy website.
If you need to, or would prefer, a video submission please follow our guidelines here.
(Please note that you will still need to upload support material as required for the application).
In your submission, you will be asked to;
- Fill in the fields with basic personal information
- Respond to all questions
- Upload a budget for use of the stipend (airfares, travel insurance etc)
- Upload requested support material
Applicants are required to provide responses to the following questions:
- Tell us about yourself as an artist.
- Why do you want to undertake a residency at the British School at Rome? Please outline how this opportunity will contribute to the development of your artistic practice. (Examples of development of artistic practice can include research, technical skills, cultural exposure, and connections.)
- Tell us what you intend to explore and develop during your residency and what outcomes or impacts do you anticipate from this experience?
- What are your longer-term artistic goals and ambitions, and how do you see this residency contributing to those goals?
The following support material is required:
- Artist CV – maximum two (2) pages
- Your official academic transcript
- Residency budget – applicants must use the Helpmann Academy budget template
- Project timeline
- A minimum of two (2) letters of support who can speak to your creative practice
- Up to ten (10) images and/or audio-visual demos of your work (40MB limit)
Optional support material may be included with your application (10MB limit):
- Letters of support
- Reviews/press coverage of past work
- Show reels or audio/visual demos
Assessment
All applications will be assessed by a panel.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Level of artistic merit
- Clear articulation of impact on creative practice and career growth
- Feasibility and value of the budget
- Readiness of the applicant to undertake the residency
CONSULTATION AND GUIDANCE
Applicants for BSR must discuss their application with Helpmann Academy’s Program Manager Toni Wills prior to submission.
These can be online on in-person at the Helpmann Academy office at Suite 417, Level 4, 147 Pirie Street, Adelaide.
To book a 30-minute consultation, please click here.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF THE RESIDENCY
- The selected applicant must have travel insurance.
- Living expenses over and above what is provided by BSR and the Helpmann stipend awarded are the responsibility of the artist
- The cost of any additional travel undertaken while in Italy is the responsibility of the artist.
- It is permitted for the artist to take short trips to other areas and cities, however, the recipient must spend the majority of their time at the British School of Rome.
- The recipient must advise Helpmann Academy if they are planning any trips during the residency period.
- An artist’s spouse or partner can be accommodated for strictly limited periods during the residency but must pay for their own board and lodging at the BSR’s prevailing rates.
- Children cannot be accommodated at the BSR.
- Partners and children accompanying the artist may reside in Rome during the residency period in alternative accommodation at their own expense.
GENERAL CONDITIONS OF THE RESIDENCY
The following conditions apply to the successful applicant;
- All decisions of the panel are final.
- The residency dates are 1 April 2027 and 25 June 2027.
- The opportunity is awarded to the recipient based on the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement. Any changes to the proposed activity or budget must be approved by Helpmann Academy before proceeding. Recipients can request a variation to their agreement by emailing the Helpmann team at info@helpmannacademy.com.au.
- On request, supply images and content throughout the residency for use on our social media channels. Recipients may also be required for social media ‘takeovers’ on our channels, which can be done with our assistance if needed.
- Acknowledge Helpmann Academy in any publicity, signage, or other distributed material relating to the residency for which the opportunity is awarded. This includes logo placement on all promotional material, including print and online material, and verbal acknowledgement of the Helpmann Academy at any publicly accessed events (including online activity). Recipients will be provided with the Helpmann Academy logo suite for use. Examples of these materials must be included with your final acquittal.
- Write a note of thanks to the supporting donor(s), outlining the outcomes and achievements of your residency.
- Provide Helpmann Academy with an interim midway update to report on the progress of the residency.
- Provide Helpmann Academy with a final artistic and financial acquittal report within four (4) weeks of completion of the program. The acquittal must include:
- A report detailing the activities undertaken throughout the residency
- Whether the residency provided the anticipated professional development outcomes
- Details of any major changes from the activities outlined in the original proposal
- Images and/or print material of the activities undertaken taken during the residency
This career-expanding opportunity is generously funded by David McKee AO and Pam McKee, and the Lang Family Foundation.