Northern Rivers Artist Exchange

The Northern Rivers Artist Exchange Residency supports artists from across the Northern Rivers to deepen their practice through meaningful engagement with community and place. Based at Grafton Regional Gallery, it offers time, space and professional support to develop work responding to the Clarence Valley’s cultural and physical landscape.

The program prioritises community-engaged and place-based practices, encouraging artists to draw on local stories, relationships and environments through listening, exchange and collaboration. For one week, artists have 24-hour access to dedicated studio space and on-site accommodation, balancing focused creative development with connection to the surrounding community. Participants also receive a $1000 stipend (+GST) and engage in one-on-one sessions with gallery and Arts Northern Rivers staff to strengthen their practice and professional networks.

Open to Northern Rivers based artists practicing in any artform, the residency supports work that thoughtfully explores the intersections of creative practice, community and environment.

Arts Northern Rivers and Grafton Regional Gallery developed this program to support artists living and working in the Northern Rivers, creating space for professional growth, connection and ongoing development.

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2026 Recipients

For the 2026 program, applications opened in December 2025 and closed in April 2026. Four residency periods will take place between July and November 2026.

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Dean Stewart | Residency Dates: Monday 13 – Sunday 19 July 2026
Aria Kitchener | Residency Dates: Monday 21 – Sunday 27 September 2026
Jan Davis | Residency Dates: Monday 26 October – Sunday 1 November 2026

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Find out more about the selected artists and their residency here.