North Sydney Council has announced the 2026 cohort of artists and collectives selected for its Creative Studios, Spaces and Residencies program (Creative Studios), supporting a diverse mix of emerging and established creatives working across sculpture, weaving, photography, film, installation, writing and environmental art.
North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker highlighted the program’s value for both artists and the community. “North Sydney has a long history of supporting creativity and cultural expression. Through Creative Studios, artists are given the space to develop new work while sharing their ideas and processes with our community,” Mayor Baker said. “Programs like this let residents experience the creative process up close and see the important role artists play in shaping a vibrant community.”
Emerging artist Richard Trang said the residency will help him explore North Sydney’s natural and urban environments. “The Alfred Street Studios give me the chance to explore North Sydney’s history and waterways while developing site-specific work at Greenwich Baths, Cammeray Park, the Coal Loader and Wendy’s Secret Garden,” he said.
A record number of applications were received for this year’s program, highlighting growing demand for affordable studio space. Ten artists and collectives will take up 12-month residencies across Primrose Park, Alfred Street and the Coal Loader, developing new work and connecting with the community through talks, workshops, open studios and exhibitions.
Highlights of the 2026 cohort include award-winning painter Marie Mansfield, conceptual installation artist Bernadette Facer, fibre artist Catriona Pollard, interdisciplinary artist Yanti Peng, emerging artists Bella Abel and Anisha Sawaid, drawing-based artist Belinda Yee and the eco-arts collective Tree Veneration Society.
A dedicated First Nations residency at Alfred Street brings together Emma Hicks, Nathan Sentance and Jodie Dowd to run workshops and share cultural knowledge with the community.
Over the coming year, residents will engage audiences in hands-on activities, explore site-specific projects inspired by North Sydney’s landscapes, and showcase work reflecting the diverse creative talent supported by the program.
