Eligibility: Australia resident, Aged 18-25

The Scholarship will include one year membership, 6 months studio access, and a two person exhibition. Mentorship for both artistic and professional practice, opportunities to curate, conduct workshops, and participate in interstate art fairs are all additional possibilities that may be offered. 

• FPS Graduate Printmaking Scholarship recipients receive 24hr Print Studio Access, (rent free) for 6 months.
  The Firestation Print Studio provides artists with access to a wide range of professional printmaking equipment and facilities for etching, relief printing, letterpress and monoprinting. The Studio is well-ventilated, air-conditioned, and heated.  We provide a collegiate, supportive community environment in the fabulous Heritage Malvern Firestation Building.
  
  Studio access during the residency is in a shared studio, with an online booking system to reserve the preferred press/space up to a month in advance.
  
  FPS supplies Access Printmakers with newsprint, rags, clean up solutions and the list of facilities below. 
  Printers need to provide their own - printing paper, ink, tarlatan, plates, carving / etching tools
  Recipients receive a plan drawer for the 6 month period.
  There is a Free private parking area for members at the back of the studio - fits approx 4 cars. Paid Council car park next door also.

• FACILITIES:
  FPS MAIN PRINT STUDIO 

  • The 3 presses in the Main Studio, suitable for printing etching, dry-point and relief processes, depending on the size required:

  • No1 'Small' has a 57.4cm x 97.1cm bed. 

  • No2 'Middle' has an 86 x 159.4 bed 

  • No3 'Red' has a 69.8 x 130.1cm bed. 

  • Each press has a numbered glass topped ink bench, which may only be used with the corresponding press.

  • Felt blankets provided

  • Quality rollers / brayers

  • Ferric chloride baths, small and large for etching copper

  • Large sink for soaking paper

  • 1 Hotplate

  • Light box

  • Exposure box (for solar plate / silkscreen)

  • Large drying rack and drying boards

  • Expansive paper preparation bench

  • Acid room with fume extraction system 

    BACKROOM - LETTERPRESS & RELIEF PRINTING

    • 2 small letterpress proofing presses are available, suitable for Lino cuts. 65 x 45cm. and 37 x 31cm

    • One small etching press 57.4cm x 97.1cm bed. 

    • A3 Kanga Press.

    • Two Adana Letterpress machines

    • Extensive Lead Type collection 

    • A screw book-press 25.5cm x 37.5 is also available, suitable for Lino, woodblock or bookbinding.

    • There are 3 large central work tables, and generous bench space.​

    • EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES: Both scholarship recipients are invited to exhibit together in the first quarter of the following year, after the 6 months studio access.
      
      

This is offered annually two students, one selected by representatives from FPS and Arts National in person at a Graduate Exhibition, and the second selected based on application.

FPS and Arts National encourage students from printmaking departments across Australia and our local institutions - Monash University, VCA, RMIT, Box Hill Institute and Melb Polytech to apply. Applications will be due in December.

• HOW TO APPLY:
  Application needs to include:
  1. At least 5 images of works created in past 24 months
  2. Current CV
  3. Between 200 and 300 words describing why they would like to undertake this
  residency.
  EMAIL applications to fire@fps.org.au
  APPLICATIONS DUE: Jan 15th, 2027

  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
  Each of the opportunities below are offered on a case by case basis, relevant to the professional interests, knowledge and abilities of the recipients:  to assist local, interstate, or international renowned printmakers to conduct workshops; to conduct their own workshop at FPS (and paid NAVA approved teachers fees); to be mentored for Professional Practice in order to advance their visual arts career by experienced Arts Professionals; to curate exhibitions; to conduct a solo exhibition at FPS in the following years (by application)
  Previous Scholarship Participants have:

  • Conducted one or more workshops receiving $500 for one day workshop

  • Have curated group exhibitions for FPS Gallery

  • Have exhibited at Sydney Contemporary and seen large scale print based works be acquired into substantial private collections

  • Have been employed as FPS technicians

  • Have been employed as Gallery Assistants

  • Have been employed to supervise Lino Club sessions

  • Have been recommended for and received employment at organisations that collaborate with FPS​