Blue Mountains News

Applications for the program are open from 8 July until 8 August 2025.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “This program marks a significant investment in supporting local visual artists by providing essential infrastructure and opportunities for professional development.

"It’s a fantastic opportunity for our artists. By providing these dedicated spaces to develop their craft, we're not only supporting individual artists, we’re enriching our vibrant cultural scene by inviting the public to witness the creative process first-hand.

“We value our homegrown talent and we want to retain it – this is a way we can empower our local artists so that they can flourish right here in the heart of our community.”

Located centrally in Katoomba’s Civic Arcade, the Katoomba Artist Studios provide a communal, light-filled creative environment designed to accommodate a wide range of artistic practices.

Two dedicated studio spaces, each approximately 15sqm, are equipped with a table, chair, storage and shared access to a kitchen with appropriate facilities, heating and internet. They are available for use from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. The cost is $250 a month – subsidised at 50 per cent from $500.

A core component of the KAS Program is community engagement so Council encourages interested artists to consider how their use of the studio, which is visible to the public, might allow a level of active interaction

The studios will be available through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process and eligibility is for Blue Mountains residents, 18 years or over, who are visual artists and require a studio space to create. They must commit to a minimum of 20 hours per week (individuals) or 25 hours per week (collectives) in-studio, for a six- to 12-month studio period and be willing to participate in community engagement activities. Artists at all career stages are encouraged to apply.

Key Dates:

•     EOI Opens: Monday, 8 July 2025
•     EOI Closes: 5pm Thursday 8 August 2025
•     Applicants Notified By: Friday 16 August 16 2025
•     Artists Access Studios From: Monday 1 September 2025

Interested artists must complete the EOI application form, detailing their creative practice and how it aligns with the studio opportunity.

The fit-out of the new studios follows a wider revitalisation of the Katoomba Civic Centre Arcade precinct that delivered a new central Visitor Information Centre for Katoomba, and a range of upgrades to improve accessibility and comfort for visitors, including redesigned outdoor spaces for events and community activities.

Council invites applicants to view the studios or ask questions about KAS on the following dates (no need to book ahead):

•     Thursday 10 July 10-11am
•     Thursday 17 July 4- 5pm
•     Thursday 24 July 10-11am
•     Thursday 31 July 4-5pm

The studios are located at the Katoomba Leura Community Centre, Level 1 Katoomba Civic Arcade, 81-83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.