The Artists in Residence program is open to artists and researchers from all creative disciplines, both domestic and international. Applications can be made by individuals, collaborative groups (two or more people), or incorporated companies.
We promote diversity and encourage First Nations artists, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse artists, artists living with disability and members of the LBGTQIA+ community to apply.
The program champions experimentation and welcomes proposals for bold projects from diverse voices across all arts disciplines. Bundanon is looking for proposals that present new ideas, explore form and direction, and encourage deep diving into creative practice.
This program suits self-directed artists ready to experiment, take creative risks, and develop their practice.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Practicing/professional artists across all disciplines and career stages, and curators/researchers
- All artists involved in the proposal must be 18 years or over
- Collaborative groups, and incorporated companies that undertake artistic practice
- Australian and international applicants
Who cannot apply
- Artists who have undertaken a residency at Bundanon within the last five years are not eligible to apply
Applicants will be asked to confirm their eligibility as part of the application process.
Key dates
- Applications open late April 2026
- Online Information Session Tuesday 28 April
- Notification of results expected September 2026
Applications
Applications are open for 6 weeks and must be received by the closing date.
Applications are submitted online and Bundanon will not accept late applications. Once applications are submitted, they cannot be updated and additional support material will not be accepted after the closing date.
Privacy
Bundanon takes the protection of your privacy seriously and is committed to ensuring the protection of your personal information. Bundanon collects and handles personal information in accordance with its legal obligations, including those under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). All peer assessors sign a Privacy Declaration agreeing to adhere to these standards.
Assessment Process
All applications are assessed by external expert peers. Applications will be distributed by artform, as indicated by the applicant in their application.
Peer assessment panels will review and select the successful artists for the residency program.
Conflicts of interest are managed by Bundanon to ensure a fair and equitable assessment process.
Applications are assessed against the following criteria:
- Artistic Merit (40%)
Of proposal, creative rationale, originality and context, level of experimentation and quality of work
- Impact of the residency (40%)
Benefit to the applicant’s professional development, capacity to diversify voices and creative approaches, and potential to contribute or enhance quality of programming at Bundanon
- Viability of proposal (20%)
Suitability to Bundanon’s facility and program, relevance of artistic collaborators to proposal, realistic and achievable planning
The assessment process takes considerable time due to the large number of applications received.
Final Decision Making
In the final decision-making process, the following factors are considered:
- Diversity in art forms represented
- Geographic diversity of applicants
- Cultural inclusivity and diversity
- Recognition of First Nations heritage or community affiliation
- Balanced representation of emerging and established artists, as well as groups and organisations
- Equitable distribution between artists new to Bundanon and those who have previously been in residence
Success Rate
Bundanon residencies are highly competitive, with a limited number of opportunities available each year. Bundanon typically receives hundreds of applications annually, with a current acceptance rate of approximately 13%.
Residency Duration
Residencies are available for the following durations:
1 week (6 nights)
2 weeks (13 nights)
3 weeks (20 nights)
Applicants must select one preferred residency duration as detailed above and indicate a preferred month by selecting three options in order of preference. We do our best to accommodate your request, however we may not be able to schedule your desired dates.
First Nations Engagement
Applicants that express intention to collaborate with First Nations community members or engage with Indigenous Cultural & Intellectual Property in their residency project, are required to upload a completed First Nations Engagement document (template available here). This does not count toward your total number of support material items.
Support Material
Applicants must submit work examples to support their application.
Up to five (5) items of support material are allowed. Support material can be submitted as web links, uploaded files, or a combination of both.
File types
- For individual file uploads. File types accepted are JPG, PEG, PNG, PDF, GIF
- Other support material, such as audio and video, must be submitted as a link to a media platform (e.g. Soundcloud, Vimeo, GoogleDrive).
Applicants are required to provide a concise description for each link or file in the designated caption box. Include the following details:
- Video: Title, date, and duration.
- Images: Title, date, medium, and dimensions.
- Audio: Title of the track, date, and length.
- Writing: Title, date, and type of work (essay, novel, etc.).
Support material limits
You may submit up to five (5) items of support material in total. Each, individual file cannot exceed 5 MB and must not exceed the limits below:
- Video: 5 minutes
- Images: 5 images
- Audio: 5 minutes
- Writing: 5 pages
You can submit a combination of support material types and adjust the duration or quantity to total five (e.g., a 2-minute video + 3 images, or 4 minutes of audio + 1 page of writing).
Support material exceeding the specified limits, whether in quantity or length, will not be assessed.
Residency Cost
Both the application and residency are free. However, artists are responsible for their own travel, catering, equipment, and material costs. If selected for a residency, we can provide a Letter of Support upon request, for any grant or funding opportunities you wish to pursue to assist in offsetting these costs. There are also several Fellowships and Awards available.
Feedback on unsuccessful applications
Bundanon does not provide individualised feedback on applications. You can review past successful applicants here.
Terms & Conditions
The residency site is remote and requires an artist to be independent. The Terms and Conditions of the Artists in Residence program outline the unique requirements. All successful applicants must read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
Application Checklist
- Read the Artists in Residence Guidelines
- Read the Terms and Conditions
- Read the Artist in Residence Handbook
- Check your eligibility
- Prepare:
- responses to application questions
- support materials and ensure they meet requirements and limits detailed above
- a short biography and two-page CV for each person proposed in the application
- Submit your application on time
Further Questions
- Check out ourFrequently Asked Questions
- Online Information Session
Bundanon typically delivers an online Information Session webinar approximately 2 weeks after applications open. We encourage all prospective application to attend. Dates, registration details and a recording of the session will be available on the Bundanon website.
Enquiries
- Program Information
Please review all information here and read the Frequently Asked Questions before contacting us.
If you still have questions, you can contact us at artists@bundanon.com.au. Note that it may take time for us to respond due to limited staff resources.
- Technical issues with the online application form
Contact SmartyGrants. Phone: 03 9320 6888 Email: service@smartygrants.com.au / Technical help guide for applicants
Support
Comprehensive documentation is available to guide you through the application process. Please review this documentation before reaching out via phone or email. Note that it may take time for us to respond due to limited staff resources.
Email
artists@bundanon.com.au
Phone
+612 4422 2100
