SIX arts organisations will take part in next year’s arts residencies program, it has been announced today by Minister for the Arts Joy Burch.

Since 2012, local arts organisations have received funding to host recognised interstate or international artists as part of a residency experience aimed in part to cement Canberra’s image as a sought-after destination for artists while also promoting connections between visiting artists, local artists and the broader community.

Ms Burch announced that in 2016 the ACT Writers Centre, Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra Glassworks, Craft ACT and PhotoAccess will receive funding to participate in the residencies program. In addition, one national institution, the National Portrait Gallery, will be funded under the scheme.

Residencies are offered at $10,000 each, and are intended to encourage cultural and artistic exchange and nurture experimentation, new ideas and the development of new work.

Ms Burch said on making the announcement, “The benefits of having visiting artists living and working in our community has far reaching benefits that aren’t just specific to the arts sector, and I look forward to meeting some of the artists and seeing the work that is produced.”