The Fellowship recognises the achievements and artistic goals of contemporary Australian poets.

The Red Room Poetry Fellowship was established to foster the poetic and professional development of contemporary Australian poets. In 2024 we have expanded the fellowship program in partnership with Varuna - the National Writers House. Red Room Poetry Fellowship will see the selection of five fellows and will take place at Varuna in the week of Monday 26 August - Monday 2 September 2024.

This opportunity encourages poets to undertake an intensive period of creative development including a residency at Varuna, one-on-one mentorship and a group workshop, as well as a poetic commission to be published as part of Poetry Month in August. All five poets will be in residence simultaneously, establishing a community of practice, and encouraging new poetic connections.

Additionally, one extra place is provided for a sixth poet as part of our inaugural Anywhere Remote Residency. This residency is designed to broaden access for poets who face additional barriers that may make traveling to Varuna a challenge.

Announcing the 2024 Fellows

We are delighted to announce the six poets selected for the 2024 Red Room Poetry Fellowship!

Selected from an unprecedented 91 applicants (via a long-listing and short-listing process), applications were read de-identified from the poets’ personal information and selected only on the strengths of the project proposal, poet goals for their time in residence and work sample. The 2024 Fellows are:

1. Natalie Damjanovich-Napoleon (WA)
2. Aloma Davis (VIC)
3. Ella Jeffery (QLD)
4. Gabrielle Journey Jones (NSW)
5. Theresa Violet Sainty (Pakana) (TAS)
6. Aunty Kerry Bulloojeeno Archibald Moran (NSW) - Anywhere Remote Residency
7. Phoebe Grainer (QLD) - Anywhere Remote Residency

Read the full judges’ statement here

2024 Fellows Will Receive

• $1000 stipend each
• A one-week residency at Varuna, with all meals and accommodation provided (Monday 26 August - Monday 2 September 2024)
• A one-on-one one site mentoring consultation and group workshopping session
• A public reading opportunity as part of Poetry Month 2024
• Online publication of a poem as part of Poetry Month 2024

Anywhere Remote Residency

One residency is offered to be undertaken remotely, during the same week (Monday 26 August - Monday 2 September 2024). This Fellow will receive:

• $1000 stipend
• A one-on-one online mentoring consultation and group workshopping session
• An online public reading opportunity in 2024
• Online publication of a poem in 2024

Eligibility

All Australian poets previously commissioned or programmed by Red Room Poetry are invited to apply. At least one of the five places is reserved for a First Nations poet, and at least one of the five places is reserved for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse poet. For more details, see the Terms and Conditions.

Applications for the 2024 Fellowship are now closed.