Operating as a centre for the creative arts and education, for scientific research and a place to explore landscape and engage with First Nations history and culture, Bundanon Art Museum this week opened applications for its renowned 2026 Artists in Residence program.
Established in 1997, the Artists in Residence program is the largest of its kind in Australia. The program grows year-on-year, hosting more than 250 artists annually and is structured through a series of partnerships with leading arts organisations, companies, cultural agencies, and patrons.
The residency program provides important career opportunities for artists and researchers to develop their professional practice, engage with fellow creatives, and create new work in an expansive natural environment. All art forms are supported through the program including visual and performing arts, literature, dance and music, moving image, jewellery and silversmithing, as well as ecological and scientific research.
Artists and researchers are hosted in purpose-built studios and rehearsal spaces on the organisation's secluded Homestead site designed to encourage critical thinking and creative production.
Rhiannon Newton, artist in residence, 2017. (Image: supplied)
There are no direct costs to artists for the Bundanon 2026 Artists in Residence Program, with this important initiative highlighting the organisation's commitment to supporting the development of new work in Australia.
Bundanon chief executive Rachel Kent said the program upholds the museum's core commitment to support cultural production across all disciplines and career stages.
"It is critically important in this new organisational chapter that we create access for our artists and remove cost barriers. Bundanon's residency program upholds our core commitment to support cultural production across all disciplines and career stages; and importantly, to give practitioners the space for uninterrupted reflection and testing of new ideas - an essential part of the creative process," she said.
At the heart of the program is Arthur and Yvonne Boyd's shared vision for Bundanon as a creative space for contemporary artists of all kinds.
"A place for the community to enjoy the bush and the river, and a place to be used as a forum where those from every facet from the arts and sciences could get together," said Mr Boyd.
While artists, groups, and organisations from around the globe and across all creative disciplines are encouraged to apply, Bundanon strongly encourages applications from First Nations artists, artists with disability or who are d/Deaf, artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and members of the LGBTIQA+ community to apply.
Preference is given to applicants who have not previously undertaken in a residency at Bundanon. Artists who have participated in a residency at Bundanon within the last five years are not eligible to apply.
The Artists in Residence program partners with leading arts organisations, companies, cultural agencies, and patrons who make the program possible, including: Accessible Arts, Australian Plays Transform, Australian Theatre for Young People, British Council, Critical Path, JamFactory, Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia - NSW McCahon House Meroogal, Museums of History NSW, Omega Ensemble, Sir William Dobell Foundation and William Fletcher Foundation.
Applications open on Friday the 11th of April 2025 and close on Friday the 23rd of May 2025 at midnight.
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