With support from the Adès Foundation and Moonrise on the River, the Emerging Poets Residency encourages the creative trajectory of emerging Australian poets.

Open to emerging poets (having published one full length collection or less) the Residency will provide a creative space and paid stipend to support the professional development of two emerging poets annually. The residency will be hosted on Yuin country (Bermagui) for an intensive period of creative development.

Following a national call-out process, the residents will be selected by a panel of Red Room industry experts including Dr Tamryn Bennett. At least one of the two places is reserved for an emerging First Nations poet.

Applications for the 2024 residencies are now closed. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of November 2023. See below for more information about the program.

2023 Recipients

Congratulations to Lulu Houdini and Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes, the inaugural recipients of the Emerging Poets Residency!

Both Lulu and Yirga spent time on Yuin Country working on their manuscripts in progress. Read an interview with Lulu here and with Yirga here, and stay tuned to read and listen to some of their poetry as part of 30in30 during Poetry Month.

Residents Receive

• $1,000 poetic stipend
• A one-week residency at Moonrise on the River
• Travel assistance up to $1,000
• Opportunity to publish poetic outcomes via Red Room Poetry channels
• Opportunity to undertake a community engagement activity locally

Timeline

• Tuesday 1 August - Applications open as part of Poetry Month
• Thursday 31 August, 5pm AEST - Applications close
• Applicants notified of the outcome in November 2023
• Before July 2024 - Residency period, to be negotiated with the successful applicants

Selection criteria 

• Show potential for this grant to benefit your creative development. Why is now a good time to be undertaking this residency? Why this particular residency?
• Provide a proposal detailing what you intend to work on as part of the residency.
• Availability to attend a one-week residency at Moonrise on the River in Bermagui between May-July 2024
• At least one of the two places is reserved for an emerging First Nations poet.

About Moonrise on the River

Nestled in a spotted gum and burrawang forest (6 acres with river frontage to the tidal Bermagui River) and roughly 10 minutes out of town and beaches (3.5 km on an unsealed road), Moonrise on the River caters for people looking for a private bush retreat who enjoy waking to glorious sunrises, the dawn chorus of birdsong, sunsets, moonrises, the waves breaking from the surrounding beaches, bird watching, kayaking, bushwalking and more.

Access

Moonrise is a single level home, with no stairs inside the home. There is a step onto the ramp leading to the front door, and parking on site. The property is a bush block, and the pathways down to the river are not paved. You can view more photos of the space here, and please don't hesitate to reach out to us via access@redroompoetry.org or on (02) 9319 5090 to ask for more information and to discuss your access needs.

Transport

Successful applicants will need to arrange their own travel to Bermagui, and in and around the town and surrounds once there. More information about how to get to Bermagui can be found here. The property is a 10 minute drive from the centre of town, about 6km and there is parking on site. It's imperative that residents arrange their own transport, as the road into town is not suitable for walking.

Terms and Conditions

Please ensure you read the full Terms and Conditions before you apply.