ABOUT
For 100 years, world-class researchers and contemporary artists have been nurtured at the British School at Rome (BSR). 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.
The BSR residency is a once in a lifetime opportunity for an emerging South Australian artist to undertake an immersive three-month residency in the heart of Rome. Valued at $30,000, the residency includes a stipend to cover airfares, materials, freight, and other travel related expenses. This opportunity is extended to graduates up to seven years from your final year of study.
The chosen candidate is allocated studio space at the BSR, which will include your residential accommodation, meals and a working area. Taking place over April to June, the residency provides the selected artist with the opportunity to base and develop their practice at BSR, while taking full advantage of the school’s world-renowned research facilities, the artistic community and expertise available.
Based in one of the world’s most culturally rich cities, a residency at BSR will also allow the artist to immerse themselves in the culture and the artistic history of Rome.
This career-expanding opportunity is generously funded by David McKee AO and Pam McKee and the Lang Family Foundation.
Read about 2024 resident, Ellis Moseley’s experience at the BSR here.
Read about 2025 resident, Tiah Trimboli’s experience at the BSR here.
For more information about the British School at Rome, visit www.bsr.ac.uk
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
Before you get started, please check your eligibility here.
We strongly recommend reading our Grant Writing Tips and FAQs before you start writing your application. Make sure you read these guidelines thoroughly.
You can also watch the recording from our last Write on the Money workshop (run in partnership with Carclew and hosted at Flinders University) which features artists talking about their experience in applying for funding.
Interested applicants are encouraged to make an appointment with the Helpmann Academy to discuss your proposed application. We are happy to provide guidance and advice on how you might be able to refine your proposed program and application.
Please contact the Helpmann team to book a 30-minute chat – use our online booking form, contact us via info@helpmannacademy.com.au, or call us on (08) 7089 0720.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications are invited from final year students and graduates of supported degrees from our partner institutions – the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, 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.
RESIDENCY COSTS
The residency is valued at $30,000 AUD.
The Helpmann Academy will cover all costs of accommodation and studio space at BSR, which includes room and board. Meals are included with board, except for one night per week, to be paid for by the artist.
After all costs of the residency have been covered, the Helpmann Academy will provide the artist with an $6,000 stipend to cover airfares, materials, freight, and other travel related expenses. This needs to be shown in your budget.
Costs not covered by the residency program include potential freight costs, travel and health insurance (compulsory), materials, living expenses over and above what is provided by BSR and the cost of any additional travel undertaken while in Italy.
The artist’s 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 residency, but artists do have the option of their partner and children lodging elsewhere in Rome.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Application
Applications must be submitted via the Helpmann Academy website form.
We aim to make our application process as accessible as possible. If you would like to submit your application through alternative means, such as through video, please get in touch with our team to discuss.
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.)
- What do you propose to do while at the British School at Rome, and what are the anticipated outcomes?
- What are your goals and aspirations for the future?
The following support material is required:
- An artist CV – maximum two (2) pages
- Your official academic transcript – this must be your official transcript, showing your conferral date
- Project budget – outline the proposed income and expenditure associated with the residency. Budgets must be formatted using the Helpmann Academy Budget Template
- A minimum of two (2) letters of support* – at least one letter should be from a current lecturer (provided on letterhead), previous lecturer (provided on letterhead), or an industry professional who can speak to your practice
- Up to ten (10) images and/or audio-visual demos of your work
*We recommend you organise and request letters of support from your referees as soon as you start your application; allow plenty of time before the application due date to do so. Letters must be supplied with the online application form and not sent separately. Many referees appreciate being supplied with either a draft letter or dot points for them to address in their letter.
In addition to the required support material, applicants are welcome to provide other material they feel will support their application – this can include further letters of support, reviews, press coverage of past works or exhibitions, media clippings, or showreels.
Assessment
The successful applicants will clearly demonstrate how undertaking their project will continue or expand their career development and creative practice. A panel facilitated by the Helpmann Academy will assess applications based on:
- A high level of artistic merit
- The provision of a clear outline of why the residency will continue or expand the applicant’s career development and creative practice
- If the proposed activities and outcomes are realistic and achievable
- The budget being realistic, accurate and representing value for money
- The overall quality of submission, such as clarity, detail, and meeting stipulated criteria
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.
CONDITIONS OF THE RESIDENCY
The terms and conditions of undertaking the residency are outlined within the agreement supplied upon being awarded. The successful recipient is responsible for agreeing to and fulfilling all terms and conditions of the residency.
Applicants with an overdue acquittal will be considered ineligible for this opportunity.
The opportunity has been 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.
While it is permitted to take short trips to other areas and cities, the recipient agrees to spend most of their time at the British School of Rome. The recipient must advise Helpmann Academy if they are planning any trips outside the residency.
If your application is successful, you will be required to:
- Undertake the residency between 7 April 2026 and 30 June 2026.
- Supply images and content throughout the project 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 project 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
GET IN TOUCH
Interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how we can help with your application. Please contact the Helpmann team to book a 30-minute chat – use our online booking form, contact us via info@helpmannacademy.com.au, or call us on (08) 7089 0720.
Phone or Teams meetings are welcome.
This career-expanding opportunity is generously funded by David McKee AO and Pam McKee and the Lang Family Foundation.