Andrew McMillan Memorial Retreat 2024

An emerging NT writer is offered $5,000 towards a paid, two-week residency to work on a writing project in any genre. The successful applicant receives:

• Two weeks paid accommodation to the maximum value of $2500.
• Travel assistance for petrol or flights to the maxiumum value of $800.
• $1,000 towards a writing mentor (fees to be negotiated between the writer and mentor, but as a guideline, $80-200 per hour for face to face meetings, tutoring, reading and/or feedback. This could be taken up before, or during the residency according to the writers preferences. But must be spent by the conclusion of the residency.)

The writer is asked to propose a two-week residency at a location in the NT, including providing a budget. The budget may include accommodation, travel costs, travel allowance, mentorship, artist stipend, and childcare. The retreat has regularly been taken at the unique outback Larrimah Hotel because Andrew often went to there when he wanted to get some uninterrupted writing time, and he is buried near the small settlement. However, writers may propose any NT alternative venue and explain the relevance of their chosen venue in their application.

• Two weeks paid accommodation to the maximum value of $2,500 at an NT accommodation provider of their choice. The writer selects and books their own accommodation and travel as outlined in their budget, then provide receipts to NTWC.
• Travel assistance for petrol or flights to the maximum value of $800.
• $1,000 towards a writing mentor (To be negotiated between writer and mentor, but as a guideline, $80-200 per hour for face-to-face meetings, tutoring, reading and/or feedback. This could be taken up before, or during the residency according to the writers preferences. But must be spent by the conclusion of the residency.

N.B. Mentor reading time should be costed. A rough indication of reading time is 10K words three hours, 35K words eight hours, 70K words + sixteen hours.)

Successful residencies will be awarded based on:

• A clearly outlined residency structure and realistic budget.
• A passionate and well-articulated project, which outlines the benefit of the residency to their project and artistic practice.
• Allocation of $1000 of retreat funding for mentorship.

Applicants will be selected by a panel of 3 previous winners and NT writers.

Eligibility:

• For the purpose of this application, ’emerging’ is any applicant with less than three books published.
• Applicants must have current membership to the NT Writers’ Centre.
• Preference will be given to writers working on a substantial writing project in any genre, with view to publication.
• Able to take the residency between May 2024 to February 2025
• Over 18.

Applications open: Wednesday 6 March 2024

Applications close: 5pm Friday 19 April 2024

Applicants notified May 2024.

Successful applicants should organise their retreat to take place between May 2024 to February 2025.

Successful applicants will:

• Develop their retreat plan in line with their submitted application plan and budget
• Allocate $1000 of awarded funds to mentorship.
• Liaise with NTWC regarding the documentation and outcomes of their retreat.
• Acknowledge the Andrew McMillan Memorial Retreat and NTWC in all future publications and iterations of their project.
• Share documentation with NTWC for shared use.
• Be responsible for the coordination of their retreat and all bookings including travel, accommodation, and mentorship.
• Engage in a debriefing process with NTWC at the conclusion of their retreat.

• Please attach a budget for your retreat. All involved artists should be paid for their work, including necessary on-costs such as superannuation. Projects that do not include artists wages will not be considered.
• Budgets must include mentorship support, with $1000 of the potential $5000 funds allocated to mentorship. Artists may specify their plans for these funds and can reach out to NTWC to help suggest a mentor.
• Funds can be used for travel, wages, cultural consultation, accommodation, childcare, venue hire, editing, research or other activities related to the writing residency.

A budget template is available for download below, or you can create your own.

Budget template

You can reach out to NTWC at hello@ntwriters.com.au or on 8952 3810 to discuss your application or request an accessible version of the application process.

Applications are submitted via a simple online form below.