Australian National Capital Artists Inc. caters to a broad range of artists including painters, sculptors, glass artists, gold and silversmiths, textiles artists, printers, bookbinders, photographers, mixed media and installation artists. The arrangement of studios and sharing of communal spaces allows for professional support, dialogue and informal mentorships which rarely take place outside of academic institutions.

ANCA has its studios located in two specialised complexes, at Mitchell and Dickson. Each complex has toilets and showers with access to a communal kitchen, common area and a public phone. All studios have been fitted out with gas heating and ceiling fans which provide a comfortable work environment all year round.

ANCA MITCHELL is located in one of Canberra's industrial areas, just a 10 minute drive north of the city centre and within walking distance of hardware and convenience stores. The complex has been designed to allow truck access to each of the studios and is therefore ideal for those artists working on a large scale and with heavy or noisy equipment. 

The majority of studios are 60 square metres, with larger spaces of 80 and 100 square metres. Each studio has the following features:

- high ceilings
- 3 phase power
- internal sink
- roller door access
- some have 3 phase power outlets

ANCA DICKSON is located in Canberra's Inner North close to shops, community facilities and transport. It is made up of studios opening onto a leafy central garden courtyard. The ANCA administration Office and Gallery are also situated there. The majority of studios are 32 sq. metres, with some larger spaces of 46 and 48 square metres. All have the following features:

- high ceilings
- double-door entrances
- internal sinks
- ceiling fans
- some also have vent extraction systems

ANCA studio rents for a single occupant (including a compulsory per month security charge) are as follows:

DICKSON

32sq.m $251.36 
46sq.m $352.67
48sq.m $367.14 

MITCHELL

60sq.m $453.97 
80sq.m $598.68 
100sq.m $743.23

*Note: these prices are current as of April 2012 and include GST and Public Liability Insurance.

New tenants are required to pay a bond which is equivalent to one month's rent in advance. All studio spaces may be shared, reducing the cost per individual artist and allowing convenient pooling of equipment.

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE TENANTS

ANCA studios are available for rent by both emerging and established artists and applications are invited from all committed arts practitioners. A high degree of professionalism and commitment to studio practice is expected. As ANCA is a collaborative organisation, it is expected that tenants will participate in the running of the complex through voluntary sub-committees and rosters for cleaning, maintenance and gardening.

The Selection Process for Studio Applications

Decisions are made by the New Tenants Committee on whether an applicant is suitable for a studio at ANCA. A 3-person committee comprising a Board member plus 2 other ANCA tenants will interview all applicants. Efforts will be made to include a male and female representative, a representative from both Dickson and Mitchell and a range of artistic disciplines on the interview panel.

The New Tenants Committee will consider each applicant against the seven selection criteria and will make its decision about suitability on that basis. Applicants must therefore address the criteria in their application and be prepared for questions about those criteria.

Applicants will be advised in writing following the interview whether they have been successful or not. This does not mean an immediate guarantee of a studio, as there is a waiting list, which varies in length from time to time. When a studio does become available the New Tenants Committee will assign the studio to someone on the waiting list. This decision will be influenced by factors such as the need to balance ANCA tenants at each site in terms of gender, artistic discipline and emerging/established status and position on the waiting list.

Studio Applications

Applications must be made in writing, include the application cover sheet and specifically address each of the seven selection criteria (outlined below). Please provide as much evidence as you can of each of your claims. Additional supporting material may be brought to the interview.

Applications are welcomed at any time of the year and can be made in writing to -

The New Tenants Committee, ANCA, PO Box 1189, Dickson ACT 2602.

or delivered in person to - 

ANCA Office, 1 Rosevear Place, Dickson ACT 2602

Applications must include the following:

- Application cover sheet (download it here)
  - Your name and contact details 
- Your preference for a studio at either Dickson or Mitchell 
- A statement of intent with clear goals or directions for art practice over the next two years 
- A selection of nine images or photographs of your work from not more than the past two years with    a full description including media and size. 
- A detailed curriculum vitae 
- At least two referees' names and contact numbers. At least one of these should be a financial  reference, attesting to your capacity to pay the Studio rent. 
- A written statement addressing each of the seven selection criteria, as outlined below.

Criteria for Determining Suitability of an Applicant

The examples of evidence in relation to each of the 7 selection criteria below are for the applicant’s guidance and for the guidance of the New Tenants Committee. They are not intended to be prescriptive or to limit other evidence which the applicant may advance as being relevant to a specific criteria.

1. Demonstration of professional art practice
As evidenced by slides or photographs of recent work submitted by the applicant, the submitted C.V., completion of relevant studies or training, years devoted to art practice, exhibition history, awards, prizes, sales, commissions, referees reports.
NB expectations must be adjusted according to whether the applicant is an emerging or an established artist.

2. Demonstration of commitment to art practice
As evidenced by the applicant’s Statement of Intent, plans for exhibitions, new bodies of work, research proposals, grant proposals, clear goals or directions for art practice over next 2 years, referees reports, proposed time commitment in studio.

3. Demonstration of optimum use of studio
As evidenced by statement of intended weekly usage of studio. Other commitments (eg job commitments, travel plans, study commitments) which may influence the applicant’s use of the studio need to be raised by the applicant.
NB ANCA tenants are not allowed to use the studio for residential purposes, and use of the studio largely for storage purposes is regarded as an unsatisfactory use of a valuable resource.

4. Demonstration of capacity to pay studio rent
As evidenced by statement of confidence in meeting rent on a regular basis, good rental history elsewhere, good record of mortgage repayment. Please include a financial reference in your application.
NB. Failure to pay studio rent may result in ANCA revoking the licensing agreement.

5. Demonstration of need for a studio
As evidenced by reference to the adequacy of the applicant’s present working situation, clear statement of space requirements, other specific requirements, cost considerations.

6. Willingness to participate in, and contribute to, the running of ANCA
As evidenced by past contributions in other organisations, other voluntary work. And stated willingness to contribute to ANCA (eg serve on specific ANCA committees, to stand for election as a Board member, to contribute to working bees, to contribute artwork and time to annual ANCA Tenants exhibition).

7. Compatibility with the ANCA community of artists
As evidenced by references, applicant’s responses in the interview situation. Any aspects of the applicant’s art practice which may adversely affect other ANCA tenants’ use of their studios needs to be raised by the applicant (eg. anticipated noise levels, use of toxic materials, likelihood of employing casual workers).