Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and to safeguard, share and celebrate First Nations’ living cultures.
Country Arts SA is inviting artists from all disciplines to apply for a three-week residency at Grindell’s Hut located in the heart of the Vulkathunha – Gammon Ranges National Park, one of the many stunning parks in the Flinders Ranges & Outback region of South Australia. The park forms part of the traditional country of the Adnyamathanha people and is rich with cultural significance. It is also a haven for many rare and endangered plants and animals.
Established almost two decades ago, the vision for the residency program is to provide an environment of extraordinary natural beauty with historic significance for artists to pursue their practice while immersed in an outback environment.
During their residency period the artist is afforded time to undertake deep creative research and/or create new work responding to and inspired by the Northern Flinders and surrounding communities. The selected recipient is not expected to produce finished artworks and there are no set creative outcomes from the residency.
Last year’s Grindell’s Hut recipient, Julie Stoneman “It has been a powerful immersion that l hope to carry within me forever”.
One artist will be selected to take part in the residency program which will run from 7 – 27 October 2025.
Country Arts SA will provide:
- An artist fee of $3,000 +gst (or $4,000 for collaborative teams by negotiation, which must be split evenly across applicants)
- A travel contribution of $500 and living away from home allowance of $350 per week ($1,050 for the full 3 week period)
- A fee of $500 to cover costs of any workshop materials
- One night accommodation each way en route to and from Grindell’s Hut
- Rental fees for a three week stay at Grindell’s Hut accommodation
- Studio space on site at Grindell’s Hut precinct
- A sat nav phone, first aid kit and snake bite kit
Country Arts SA are responsible to coordinating the project and will provide introductory contacts to the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park Ranger and other relevant individuals.
The Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park Ranger has a strong knowledge of the region and will work closely with Country Arts SA staff to support the residency and liaise with the artist while they are in residence.
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Applicant Information
The artist is responsible for:
- Organising and paying for use of their own vehicle for travel to and from Grindell’s Hut, noting that a 4WD vehicle is required. If applicant needs to hire appropriate vehicle this cost must be considered in the artist fee provided.
- Organising and providing their own food and consumables for the duration of their stay including toilet paper, sunscreen, torches, batteries and insect repellent
- Replacing any used consumable items initially on site
- Bringing their own linen, blankets, pillows, towels, tea towels
- Having current and up-to-date public liability insurance (evidence provided at time of application)
- Bringing + covering costs of their own materials
- Delivering one engagement with the local community
- Completing and evaluation at the close of their residency
Key Dates
- Applications open 22 April 2025
- Applications close 24 June 2025, 5pm
- Residency period 7 – 27 October 2025
All applicants will be notified of the outcome in late July.
Eligibility
- All permanent residents of Australia over the age of 18 are eligible to apply
- Artists of all artforms and disciplines at any career stage are eligible to apply, including but not limited to visual arts, poetry, performance, music, dance, creative writing
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are strongly encouraged to apply
All applicants must have a valid driver’s licence, and access or ability to drive a 4WD confidently (if applicant/s do not have access to a 4WD this will be arranged as part of the residency)
Please note that Country Arts SA staff and Board members and their families/spouse are not eligible to apply.
Application requirements
All applicants must submit an application via the Country Arts SA website that includes:
- General personal information
- Responses to the following questions:
- Please provide a brief description of your practice
- Outline how you intend to spend your time while in residence and the impact it stands to have for your creative and processional practice
- Outline how you propose to interact with the wider community, including the type and structure of engagement, required materials + equipment and, maximum number of participants and expected skill level of participants
- A 1-page CV
- Evidence of current public liability insurance
- A written letter of support
- Evidence of creative practice/creative supporting materials:
- For visual artists please include up to 6 high-res images of your work
- For creative writers, poets and playwrights, you may provide up to 6 individual pieces to a maximum of 10 pages
- For musicians, performers or dancers, you may provide up to 6 individual pieces of sound or video up to a maximum of 10 minutes
Creative supporting materials should be accompanied by a captions list.
Our website does not accommodate large file sizes, please provide materials via a filesharing platforms including Google drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer.
Please note, additional support materials outside of those listed above will not be accepted or considered as part of your application.
Country Arts SA welcomes and supports diversity and accessibility. We welcome applications in both written and video format. Please contact our Visual Arts Coordinator Asha Southcombe for further details.
Selection Process
Applications for Grindell’s Hut are assessed against the selection criteria by a panel consisting of 3 – 5 visual arts professionals appointed by Country Arts SA including industry colleagues, artists and a representative from the Vulkathunha‐Gammon Ranges National Park.
Applications are assessed in a competitive environment and applicants must provide the required application materials to be eligible.
The decision of the selection panel is final. The panel does not provide feedback to applicants.
The winner will be notified by phone and enter a contract with Country Arts SA. Written notification will be sent out to all unsuccessful applicants.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Artistic merit and strength of creative practice
- Relevance of the location to the applicants proposed activities and the broader development of their creative practice
- Strength and feasibility of proposed community engagement
Enquiries
Please direct all enquiries to Asha Southcombe, Visual Arts Coordinator [email protected]
What else do I need to know?
Workshop + community engagement
The artist will be expected to develop a proposal of how they intend to engage with local Aboriginal community members through the delivery of an arts workshop to support skill development in the Nepabunna community, as part of the residency. Nepabunna is 95 kms from Grindell’s Hut.
Artists should consider what they can bring to these regional communities and the long-lasting impact of their engagement. Artists will have the opportunity to meet with local Aboriginal community members and will be supported to ensure correct protocols are respected and followed, and that the Aboriginal community feels welcome and able to engage with the project. It is not expected that applicants know exact details of which communities they will engage with and where, but applicants should provide evidence of research into this.
Previous Workshops include:
- 2024 resident Julie Stoneman ran a workshop centred around rocks, engaging with Adnyamathanha women at the Copley Community Hall
- 2023 resident Stephen Oakes ran a workshop at Leigh Creek School to engage in creating a short film with the school
- 2021 resident Deborah Prior ran a textile workshop for upper primary students at Leigh Creek Area School
- 2019 resident Fran Callen ran a workshop touching up Nepabunna Murals with local community members
Payment
Artists receive the funding in relation to this program in two parts; one upon acceptance of the contract and the second upon completion of the residency. The first payment is a larger sum and the second is withheld by Country Arts SA as a bond. The artist is responsible for repair costs where any damage has been incurred during the residency period.
General maintenance repairs are the responsibility of Parks Management. The final payment shall be paid upon satisfactory inspection of the Hut following the artist residency.
Bond
A bond of $400 is withheld by Country Arts SA for the duration of the residency. The artist is responsible for repair costs where damage has been incurred during the residency period.
General maintenance repairs are the responsibility of Parks Management. The final payment of $400 shall be paid upon satisfactory inspection of the Hut following the artist residency.
Group applications
This residency program is intended for one artist. Applicants wanting to jointly apply may be eligible to receive a shared fee of $4,000 (+ GST) but must discuss this with the Visual Arts Coordinator prior to applying. Living and accommodation allowance will not be increased. The artist fee must be split equally, it is expected that if a joint application is submitted that all parties must contribute to the application process including supporting materials and impact on each artists practice.
Additional guests
Members of the artist’s family or friends are encouraged to stay during this period to help break the isolation. There is a maximum of eight people allowed. Country Arts SA and Parks Management must be advised of any additional guests that will be staying with or accompanying the resident artist/s before the residency commences (this is for safety reasons).
Video submissions
A video application is a recording of you speaking to the camera directly answering the application questions. Video files should not exceed the length noted in the application materials. Responses will be assessed based on the content of the answer, and not the quality of the video. A video shot on a phone or similar is suitable and you do not need a professional filming set-up, as long as the recording is audible.
Communications
A satellite phone will be provided by Country Arts SA for the duration of your visit.
Grindell’s Hut accommodation and setting
Location
Grindell’s Hut is located in the heart of the Vulkathunha‐Gammon Ranges National Park on a hillside with spectacular views over the valleys and foothills of the Illinawortina Pound and the Blue Range. The McLachlan Pastoral Company built the hut in the 1950’s as a Boundary Rider’s Hut and Outstation for the Balcanoona Pastoral Lease. The original hut built in the late 1800s by Grindell still stands just behind the newer hut.
Getting there
A 4WD vehicle is required as the Hut is in a remote location and roads may be closed or have restricted access.
The Hut is located on Wortupa Loop Road, (4WD) 26 km from the Park Headquarters at Balcanoona. The access road is notrecommended for 2WD vehicles due to rocky sections, steep slopes and creek crossings. From Balcanoona, follow the Arkaroola Road for approximately 10km. Turn left at the sign posted intersection and follow the road through to Grindell’s Hut.
Please note: Roads may be closed or have restricted access. For latest updates contact Transport SA 1300 361 033.
The Vulkathunha‐Gammon Ranges
The Vulkathunha‐Gammon Ranges, reputable for its mountains, native flora and fauna, and Aboriginal and colonial heritage, is situated at the Northern end of the Flinders Ranges. The Park protects significant Aboriginal and European heritage sites.
The first area of the Vulkathunha‐Gammon Ranges National Park was proclaimed in 1970, covering an initial 15,550 hectares. Following the purchase of the Balcanoona Pastoral Station Lease, the 82,000 hectare property was added to the park in 1982. The park now covers 128,228 hectares of land.
The traditional owners of the Vulkathunha‐Gammon Ranges National Park are the Adnyamathanha people who continue to have strong ties with their country, ancestors, law and culture. Traditional owners co-manage the Park with the South Australian Government through the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park Co-Management Board.
The Adnyamathanha name Vulkathunha was officially assigned to the Park in May 2003 and the word literally means ‘old lady’ and reflects a significant Adnyamathanha story connected with this country. The more recent history of Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges has included mining, smelting and pastoralism.
Illinawortina Pound, adjacent to Grindell’s Hut, is in the Vulkathana-Gammon Ranges and can be accessed via Copley (6km north of Leigh Creek). It is approximately 365 kilometres North of Port Augusta with the last 100km on unsealed roads with many rough creek crossings. A 4WD vehicle is required and the Hut is in a remote location.
Risk Factors
While Country Arts SA and the Vulkathunha – Gammon Ranges National Park Rangers have safety protocols in place to minimise risks, there are still some worth considering before applying.
This region can experience some intense and quick weather changes. This can include intense heat waves, bushfires, heavy rain and dust storms. The weather conditions are monitored both by the rangers on the ground and Country Arts SA workers, however it is also a responsibility of the resident to keep informed on weather changes while at the hut, particularly before traveling or hiking around the region.
The Flinders Ranges is also one of Australia’s most seismically active regions, with numerous small earthquakes recorded every year. While these earthquakes are usually low magnitude, it is still important to be aware that they could occur and know what to do if one does. Below you can find a link to the Red Cross Earthquake Safety information:
Earthquake Safety | Earthquake Preparedness | Red Cross
While provided with a satellite phone, first aid, snake bite kit and emergency contacts, the remoteness of Grindell’s Hut and surrounding areas is still a risk. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions that may put you at a higher risk it is important to notify Visual Arts Coordinator, Asha Southcombe when submitting your application.
We encourage residents to invite family members, partners or friends to accompany them for the duration or part of their time at Grindell’s Hut, both for helping with the isolation and as a safety measure.
Amenities
The Hut consists of:
- Bedroom one which sleeps up to two people – one queen bed.
- Bedroom two which sleeps up to four people – two sets of bunks.
- A sleep‐out area has one set of bunks and is also the Artist’s Studio.
- The lounge has a sofa plus armchairs and a large coffee table.
- The kitchen equipped with a gas fridge, gas stove/oven, sink and all crockery and cutlery.
- There is also a table with seating for eight people.
- The bathroom has a toilet, vanity basin and combined bath/shower.
- The laundry has two large sinks plus a rainwater tap. Please conserve rainwater.
- The storeroom provides space for the storage of food and other items and has stocks of cleaning equipment.
- A gas BBQ and outdoor seating is provided.
- A wood BBQ is also provided on the western side of the hut.
- Firewood is provided in the wood shed at the rear of the unit.
- There is no direct electricity.
A veranda runs along the front and western side of the Hut providing a perfect vantage point to view the changing colours and the play of light across the Gammon Ranges. The refrigerator, stove and hot water at Grindell’s Hut is run on bottled gas supplied by the Board, while electric lighting is run off a solar‐charged battery panels (12 volts). Instructions for the lighting of the fridge and hot water are provided on the site.
There are no power points, as the batteries do not carry sufficient power to run additional appliances.
Most of the water taps carry bore water but rainwater tanks are provided with a tap into the Laundry for drinking water. Other than toilet paper, items such as ladies sanitary products, baby’s nappies and non-biodegradable products are not to be flushed down the toilet or sinks as the sewerage system uses a septic tank.
For more info about the hut visit:
Grindells Hut – National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
Respectful behaviours
Artists are reminded they are staying in a National Park and National Park Regulations apply.
If successful you will be expected to:
- Leave your pets at home.
- Take your rubbish with you and be proactive in recycling.
- Observe fire restrictions, usually 1 November – 30 April. Check CFS Hotline on 1300 362 361.
- Camp only in designated areas.
- Respect geological, cultural and heritage sites.
- Be respectful of Aboriginal culture.
- Keep our wildlife wild. Do not feed or disturb animals, or remove native plants.
- Keep to defined vehicle tracks and walking trails.
- Be considerate of other park users.
- Leave behind a ‘low impact, eco‐friendly’ footprint on the surrounding environment.
- Keep the premises and grounds in a safe, clean and tidy condition.
Testimonials
“My love of rocks and awe of the earths complex geology intensified whilst walking through the arid and ancient landscapes of the Adnyamathanha people. Somehow something deep shifted within me, and my approach to my practice is changing. My new work will resonate with the experience of quietly holding the rocks and feeling a sense of sanctuary within the shadows.
It has been a powerful immersion that l hope to carry within me forever”
Julie Stoneman (Kingston, TAS), 2024 resident
“It’s probably one of the best things that’s happened to me as an artist. The Grindell’s Hut residency was an incredibly rich experience. Every day I was out in the epic landscape, collecting imagery and sounds. By night I would collate and compose. Looking out the window on a late October evening as the ranges changed colours, I felt deep gratitude and the sense that the residency really does give the artist permission to create. In my case, it was the first time I’d created for 3 weeks in a row, each day dedicated to my passion… This is a life changing opportunity for any artist.”
Stephen Oakes (Geelong, VIC), 2023 resident
“The Grindell’s Hut Residency has been a transformative and restorative experience for me. It has challenged and expanded my thinking and making processes in the studio; and heightened my awareness and appreciation of the natural world.”
Deborah Prior (Adelaide, SA), 2021 resident
“My Grindell’s Hut residency was a profound and amazing experience, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. The residency has been a thoroughly rewarding experience that has extended my practice and provided incredible artistic impetus for upcoming bodies of work that will seek to do justice to the visual and cultural architecture of the Northern Flinders region”.
Gregory Carosi (Regional NSW), 2018 resident
“The Grindell’s Hut residency provided me with an opportunity to challenge my arts practice and expand on my relationship with water – beyond that of oceanic experiences. I also felt fortunate to experience such a wide range of conditions – particularly rain – and to be able to see it take immediate effect on the landscape.”
Edwina Cooper (Adelaide, SA), 2020 resident
Image: Greg Carosi
The Grindell’s Hut Artist in Residence program is a partnership between Country Arts SA, and The Department for Environment and Water through the Vulkathunha‐Gammon Ranges National Park Co‐Management Board. The residency program is managed by Country Arts SA.
Country Arts SA and its partners acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians – the Adnyamathanha people – whose ancestral lands Grindell’s Hut is located upon.
