Burinja Membership

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Burrinja Studios

Developed in 2019 with support from Yarra Ranges Council and the Victorian Government, the Burrinja Studios have become a vibrant hub for artists and creatives in the Dandenong Ranges.

With 16 purpose-built studios, Burrinja offers established and emerging artists affordable, short and long-term tenancies of up to five years.

Burrinja Studio Artists work across diverse disciplines, benefiting from generous access hours, shared amenities, exhibition opportunities and professional development in arts business along with support and mentoring from our Community Visual Arts Producer and Curator.

The program fosters collaboration, community engagement, and ambitious creative projects, offering the artists a safe and supportive environment to work and the public opportunities to connect with artists in their ‘natural habitat.’

Tenancy

Permanent and part time tenancy is for a maximum of five years, designed to encourage rotation of tenancy benefits and opportunities.

License agreements are offered for an initial 12-month period, with two further 24-month options available upon mutual agreement with Burrinja.

Access

Permanent and part time Burrinja Studios tenants have access 7 days a week (7.00am – midnight) via the tenants’ entrance with priority car parking at rear.

All studios except the Basement Studio are wheelchair accessible via the main entrance and through the foyer.

Studios

The studios have been purpose built with light and space in mind. All studios have LED lighting, light cork finish floors, ply walls, heating and cooling (excluding Basement).

All studio tenants have access to shared amenities including wifi, toilets, kitchen, social area, dedicated wash area, large, shared studio space and free off-street parking. Tenants can also make use of other centre facilities such as the café, arts workshop, workshop garden, Burrinja galleries, The Lyre Room, meeting rooms and foyer (extra fees may apply).

Burrinja Artist Network

The Burrinja Artist Network is open to artists at all stages of their careers, offering community connection, opportunity, and professional growth.

Membership provides eligibility to apply for Burrinja Studios, exhibit in the members-only Lyre Gallery (six shows annually), and access reduced venue hire rates. Members enjoy free entry to ticketed exhibitions, a listing in our Artist Directory, and invitations to exhibition openings.

The free Professional Development Program includes workshops, mentorship, networking, and the Experts in Residence series, covering skills from grant writing to marketing and folio development.

With regular updates, priority bookings, and involvement in Burrinja cultural events, the Network fosters creative practice and career sustainability.

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About Our Professional Development Program

This dynamic program empowers artists to grow their creative practice and professional capacity. Through workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, participants gain practical skills in areas such as grant writing, marketing, exhibition planning, and portfolio development.

Designed to support artists at all stages, the program fosters confidence, connection, and career sustainability within the arts industry.

This program is FREE for all Burrinja Artist Network members. All sessions require a booking and are offered on a first in basis.

Experts In Residence

The Burrinja Artist Network Experts in Residence program sees industry professionals available for one-on-one conversations about your creative practice.

Professional Development Workshops

The Burrinja Professional Development program includes a comprehensive suite of workshops for all Burrinja Artist Network members. These workshops are designed to develop artists’ strategic skills in arts business, marketing and more.

Lyre Gallery

The Lyre Gallery, found on the first floor of Burrinja, is a dedicated exhibition space for Burrinja Artist Network members only. There will be six (6) opportunities to exhibit per year.

Applications are open at all times and will be programmed in 6 month seasons. The 2026 season 1 program is currently open for applications. Successful applicants will be informed within 8 weeks of their applications being received.

Application process

Please complete the application form including: an exhibition proposal, technical requirements, promotional information and images.

Eligibility

• Must be a current Burrinja Artist Network member or permanent studio artist.
• Can be a solo or group show (no more than 6 artists per group and all paid Burrinja Artist Network members)
• The number of works, installation of 3D works and hanging objects are subject to approval by Burrinja staff.

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Applications for 2026

We are currently accepting applications for 2026. If you have any queries, contact openstudios@burrinja.org.au

Become a member today to join our mailing list and stay up to date on the next opportunity to apply to exhibit.

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My Exhibition: Information for exhibiting artists

What Burrinja provides:

• FREE exhibition in the Lyre Gallery, a professional standard exhibition space on level 1 of Burrinja with quality lighting and museum-standard walls.
• Assistance with the install and uninstallation of your show
• Design of exhibition marketing collateral (in line with the Lyre Gallery brand)
• Printing of 100 DL flyers for the front counter
• Promotion of your show via our website and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram)
• Email advice and support in preparation for your show, including: assistance with writing (for media release & e-invite)
• Printed artwork labels and price list
• Printed decal sign of exhibition title and artist name (in line with Lyre Gallery brand) this attracts a fee of approx. $50
• Opening celebration with support from 1 bar staff member

What the exhibitor(s) provide:

• Print and distribution of exhibition marketing collateral (if more than the 100 DL’s are required)
• It is the exhibitor(s) responsibility to repair walls to return to how you found them.
• Catering for any affiliated events such as openings, public programming artist talks etc. Must be coordinated by the artist, alcohol may be served by a Burrinja staff member at no charge to the public. (Extra charges apply if events are programmed out of Burrinja hours)

Things to note:

• Artwork for sale will incur a 30% (+GST) commission to Burrinja.
• There is no obligation for artwork to be for sale.
• Gallery is public access space to the theatre and Lyre Room, and as such can be a busy thoroughfare. Considerations need to be taken when installing 3D, fragile items (ceramics) etc. subject to approval.
• If the exhibitor(s) choose to hold an event outside Burrinja hours (or to have an expected attendance exceeding 50 ppl), there is an extra fee of $47 per hour (+GST, minimum 3 hours) to cover the costs of a duty manager on site.
• Alcohol may be served at no charge in accordance to the Burrinja liquor license during openings and public programs but must be served by a Burrinja staff member with RSA certification.

 

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