Australia’s Parliament House turns 40 in 2028. Photo: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Services.
The chance to go behind the scenes at Australian Parliament House – and get paid to turn it into art – is now up for grabs.
Expressions of interest are now open for a new Artist-in-Residence program as Parliament House prepares to mark its 40th anniversary in 2028.
The successful artist will be given rare access to the inner workings of the building, including private areas usually off limits to the public, along with a workspace inside the Parliamentary Library.
The temporary role will run across 12 months during the 48th Parliament, although the artist will not be expected to work on-site full-time.
The role includes access to parts of Parliament House normally off-limits to the public. Photo: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Services.
Parliament House Director of Art Collections Penny Grist said the role was designed to immerse an artist in the building and its history.
“The artist in residence will come to experience what it’s like behind the scenes at Australian Parliament House,” she told Region.
“They will get a workspace in the Parliamentary Library … and they will have access to all of the behind-the-scenes, private areas of Parliament House.”
The residency includes a $10,000 research fee, up to $30,000 to create a new artwork, and up to $15,000 for travel and accommodation.
Artists from anywhere in Australia, at any stage of their career, can apply.
But don’t imagine it’ll go to the artist who paints the King’s portrait. An artist-in-residence has a more … abstract job.
Applicants are being asked to develop a “concept” connected to Parliament House, Australia’s democratic processes or parliamentary history.
“There are many things that could inspire the artist,” Ms Grist said.
“They might be being inspired by the gardens, they might be working with the beehives … they might be reflecting on 100 years of Hansard records.”
The final work could take many forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textiles, printmaking or glasswork.
Director of Art Collections Penny Gris. Photo: David Hempenstall, Parliament House.
However, Ms Grist said some art styles would not suit the busy working environment inside Parliament House.
“We’re not looking for audio-visual or site-specific installations or physically complex works because this building can become very busy and we want to make sure that everyone can enjoy this work,” she said.
The program builds on the original vision for Parliament House when it opened in 1988, with art intended to play a central role in the building.
More than 85 Australian artists were commissioned during its construction, helping to establish the Parliament House art collection, which now includes about 7000 works.
Ms Grist said the new residency continued that legacy.
“It seemed a good moment to start a program like this that’s really reaching out to artists and supporting that development,” she said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick said the residency would offer a perspective few Australians ever see.
“The residency offers a rare chance to see Parliament House from behind the scenes,” he said.
“It gives an artist the opportunity to create new work that tells the stories of the places and people that have shaped Australia’s democracy.”
Senate President Sue Lines described Parliament House as “an extraordinary place of ideas, history and daily activity” – something worth capturing.
“This program invites an artist to experience this environment first-hand and interpret it through their own creative lens,” she said.
Five shortlisted artists will progress to a second proposal stage before one artist is selected by the Parliament House Art Advisory Committee later this year.
Expressions of interest close at 11 am on 16 June 2026.
