West Footscray Writer in Residence Program
In 2027 Arts and Culture Maribyrnong is supporting a writer-in-residence at the West Footscray Library and West Footscray Neighbourhood House. These are co-located at 539 Barkly Street, West Footscray, with West Footscray Library on ground level and the Neighbourhood House on Level 1.
About the program
The West Footscray Writer-in-Residence Program is a pilot program offering a local writer a four-week artistic residency embedded within the shared building, with writing and engagement opportunities available across both spaces and access to private working space. The program is open to writers of all forms and styles who live, work or study in Melbourne’s West or can demonstrate a connection to the City of Maribyrnong.
The residency is suitable for writers who are looking for writing space amongst community and whose work draws upon the local area for inspiration and ideas. Artists are encouraged to connect to the Neighbourhood House and Library programs and community members while in residence, by offering one community engagement activity, thereby maximising the benefits of the program for artists and the local community. This might be a workshop, reading of your work, or other activity.
Artists will receive a stipend of $1,000 toward artist fees and/or material costs for public programs, as well as writing space, access to Library resources, and marketing support.
How to submit an expression of interest
For further information on how to submit an expression of interest, read the West Footscray Writer-in-Residence Program Guidelines and then fill out the form linked below, selecting the residency program you are interested in applying for.
Open: Monday 31 August 2026
Close: Sunday 4 October 2026
Decisions advised within 4 weeks of Expressions of Interest closing.
Download program guidelines(PDF, 195KB)
Click here to view form
Previous Writers in Residence
Olympia Koziaris: 2026 Maidstone Writer in Residence
Local historian, writer and educator Olympia Koziaris as the inaugural Maidstone Community Centre Writer in Residence for 2026. A lifelong Maribyrnong local, Olympia has spent years documenting the stories that shape our community, including ‘Yiasou Yarraville’ and the recent ‘Stories of Bradmill’ documentary. Olympia is deeply involved with community life and local history, having served on the Footscray Historical Society committee, the Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee, and the Healthy and Active Ageing Committee.
During her residency, Olympia will run creative writing and oral history workshops at the Maidstone Community Centre, supporting residents to share their experiences in their own words. Olympia’s aim for the residency is to highlight local voices and reinforce our cultural vibrancy, connecting residents through creativity, empathy, and shared history.
Artwork pictured: Untitled by Liz Dalgleish, West Footscray Library and Neighbourhood House