Fellowships 2025

Give your ideas a flying start with a Library Fellowship.

Applications for 2025 are open now. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 21 March 2025.

Download the 2025 Fellowships preparation pack.

Book your place at the 2025 Fellowships Program Information Sessions.

Amazing things happen when you bring your ideas to the Library and use the State Collection to imagine new possibilities.

Whether you're an artist, writer, storyteller, educator, researcher, or creative, a fellowship can help your ideas soar.

As a Library fellow, you can delve into the collection, explore the Library as a unique place for creation and do something incredible with what you find here.

The collection spans more than 5 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, music, artwork, newspapers and objects.

Immerse yourself, unearth hidden gems and create bold and imaginative work that expands our collective understanding of the nature of libraries. The possibilities are endless. 

Fellowships are for everyone – you don't need any particular experience or credentials. We provide funding, a desk at the Library and a dedicated librarian to help you find what you need. 

Explore our collections, take a look at previous fellowship projects, or read our frequently asked questions.

Accessibility

We’re working with Arts Access Victoria to make sure the fellowships are as accessible as possible. We can offer extra funding to support your access needs and we will work with you to make reasonable adjustments where possible.

Find out more about accessibility or contact us to talk about your needs: fellows@slv.vic.gov.au or via 8664 7000.

Scroll down to watch an Auslan video about the Fellowships Program.

National Relay Service

For accessibility inquiries, ask for 8664 7005 to speak to the Access and Inclusion Librarian.
For all other inquiries, ask for 8664 7002.

For more information, visit the National Relay Service website.

Arts Access Victoria

Arts Access Victoria can provide access support with your application. This could be reviewing your draft proposal, helping you compile support material or helping you complete the form. For information about access support, contact Margaret Mayhew:

mmayhew@artsaccess.com.au
or phone 03 9699 8299

For more information, visit the Arts Access Victoria website.

Fellowships

Click on the tiles below to learn more about the 2025 fellowships on offer.

Amor Residency at Baldessin Studio

This residency allows a visual artist to explore works on paper, in particular printmaking. You’ll use research material from the Library and the studio facilities at Baldessin Studio.

Berry Family Fellowship

The Berry Family Fellowship supports a project exploring an aspect of the social history of Melbourne or Victoria, based on the State Collection.

Children's Storytelling and Literature Fellowship

Do you have a captivating idea that celebrates the art of storytelling for, by and with children? Your project could include writing, illustration, music, oral storytelling or a physical experience for children.

Climate Futures Artist Fellowship

The Climate Futures Artist Fellowships empower artists working in any art form to imagine a future where art and climate intersect in profound and meaningful ways.

Creative Fellowships

Creative Fellows will have the chance to create new work in any medium. Write a book, create an artwork or plan an immersive experience for the Library – it’s up to you.

Georges Mora Fellowship

This fellowship gives one contemporary artist the opportunity to study, experiment and explore fresh thinking in their art.

John Emmerson Research Fellowship

With access to the John Emmerson Collection, which comprises more than 5000 books, this fellowship if for those who want to research a project on England in the early modern period.

The Kerri Hall Fellowship for Performing Arts

This fellowship supports creatives, artists and writers from regional Victoria in the field of theatre and performing arts.

Marion Orme Page Regional Creative Fellowships

A response to published or original source material from the Library’s collection, in any way you choose, to create new work.

Redmond Barry Fellowship

Draw on collections at the Library and the University of Melbourne’s Archives and Special Collections to research a work in any discipline.

Tate Adams Memorial Residency at Baldessin Studio

This residency allows an artist to create a limited edition or unique state artist’s book, using research material from the Library and the studio facilities at Baldessin.

2025 Fellowships Program

Watch an Auslan video about State Library Victoria's Fellowships Program. Find out:

which fellowships are on offer for 2025
what funding and support fellows receive
how to apply.

Key Dates

Applications open: Tuesday 4 February 2025

Online information session with Arts Access Victoria: Tuesday 25 February 2025, 3–4.30pm

In-person information session: Wednesday 26 February 2025, 6.30–8pm, State Library Victoria Theatrette

Applications close: Friday 21 March 2025 at 5pm

Notifications: Early to mid June 2025

Information sessions

The Library hosted two information sessions about the 2025–26 Fellowships Program round in February.

Watch a recording of the in-preson information session here, held on Wednesday 26 February 2025.

You can also watch a recording of the online information session with Arts Access Victoria, held on Tuesday 25 February 2025.

Support

If you still have questions after attending an information session or watching the recordings, contact: fellows@slv.vic.gov.au, call 03 8664 7000, or read our frequently asked questions.