Varuna

Help us build Varuna’s Equity Access Fund

There is something about walking up Varuna’s driveway that creates a feeling of optimism and a sense, for many writers, of coming home to their writing place. Varuna is not just about finding the time and space to write or the wonderful meals provided by Sheila, Jane and Louise: it is the sense of community, of feeling like a ‘real writer’, of connecting with other writers and that writing is the most important thing. It is the feeling of being given permission to write in whatever way you can. It is about feeling valued as a writer.

These amazing experiences at Varuna should be available to every writer. As the cost of living crisis worsens, we are increasingly finding that writers are unable to take up offers of residencies and workshops because they cannot afford travel costs or residency fees. While we do our best to assist, this isn't always possible.

Many writers face significant economic obstacles preventing them from participating within a wider writing community. A writer can't write without time, something that can be out of reach when you are struggling with rising rents, insecure employment and caring commitments. Our writers and storytellers need support to help them to continue to do what they do.

Financial access for all writers

We are lucky so many amazing writers have been able to stay at Varuna and have had writing opportunities open up for them. We want to continue to make sure that writers have access to this wonderful place. In 2021, the Equity Access Fund was set up as a way of helping those who are not able to cover some of their travel costs, or to pay the application fee for a fellowship or spend a week in residence. Think of the Fund as being there to give someone a lift when they need it, of opening up an opportunity that will change a writer's circumstances. Here is a chance to hold out a hand to a fellow writer and make them feel seen and cared for by others in the writing community.

We need to raise $5400 to boost our Equity Access Fund, which will allow us to assist 18 writers over the next 12 months. Should we be able to raise more than this, $7,200 would allow us to assist 24 writers, and $9,000 would see 30 writers supported.

Not familiar with Varuna?

Varuna’s mission is to inspire the creation of Australian writing that enriches and shapes our culture. In particular, we aim to support artistic excellence through our unique residency programs and professional development opportunities. 

We run masterclasses, workshops and major events such as the Blue Mountains Writers Festival, but most valuable are our residencies. The residency program at Varuna is the only national residency dedicated to literature and provides an invaluable combination of mentoring, community and the elusive time and space to write. When writers come for a residency, they can check out of the interruptions of daily life and focus on developing their work.

Your donation, however large or small, will help us to support all Australian writers to participate in Varuna's programs. You can make a specific donation to support an application fee, a consultant session, a fellowship or a residency.

Your generous donation, large or small, will go towards covering fees and costs associated with attending Varuna programs, such as:

$65 will cover the cost of a Fellowship Application Fee

$100 will assist with a writer’s travel costs to Varuna

$315 will cover the cost of one week of a Fellowship Residency

$795 will cover the cost of one week of an Alumni Residency

We are seeking to raise $5400 which will allow us to support at least 18 writers over the coming 12 months.

Should we be able to raise more than this, $7,200 would allow us to assist 24 writers, and $9,000 would see 30 writers supported.

All donations are tax deductible.