McCAHON HOUSE X BUNDANON ARTIST RESIDENCY EXCHANGE

In 2023, McCahon House and Bundanon formed a partnership to offer an international artist exchange residency at Bundanon, near Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia, and McCahon House, Titirangi, Aotearoa New Zealand.

In the even years, a McCahon House selected Aotearoa artist will undertake a month-long residency in Australia – in 2026 this will be in August – and in the odd years a Bundanon selected Australian artist will be hosted at Parehuia in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bundanon will offer a one-bedroom apartment with attached studio to the selected artist. The artist will also have access to the Dorothy Dwyer Silversmiths’ Studio.

The studio and accommodation costs will be covered by the host and the Artist will be offered a stipend of $3,000 (in the host currency) and $750 contribution towards return flights and associated travel to and from Bundanon.

Expressions of interest for the 2026 Residency at Bundanon are now open, please complete the form below to submit your application.

Residency dates are Monday 3 - Monday 31 August 2026
Applications close 4pm Wednesday 18 February 2026

ABOUT BUNDANON

Bundanon is an art museum and residency embedded in the landscape, situated near Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia. A wildlife sanctuary set on 1000 hectares, it was the home of painter Arthur Boyd. The organisation creates learning programs for students of all ages and operates Australia’s largest artist in residence programme across disciplines.  

Due to the remote location, bushland environment, working farm, and working studios, there are inherent risks onsite that make the Artist In Residence complex unsuitable for children or partners at the residencies. Bundanon is a place of creative work and reflection and consideration of all artists working on site is paramount. Transfers from the train station and bus terminal to Bundanon can be arranged but it is recommended that Artists have their own cars.

For further information, visit the McCahon House website.

APPLICATION CRITERIA

1. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand at the time of entry

2. Applicants must be able to reside and work full-time at Bundanon during the term of the residency

3. The Residency is designed for early-career artists working across the visual arts disciplines. Early-career is defined as an artist who is in the early stages of their professional careers. They may have completed training, exhibited, won local awards, and are developing a body of work, but have yet to achieve widespread recognition.

4. The artist must show a practice that has been sustained – this can be shown through their CV

5. The artist must have a sufficient body of work which clearly demonstrates current practice and development

SELECTION PROCESS

1. The Selection Panel comprises three artists and colleagues from the visual arts community

2. The Panel’s top 3 applicants will be submitted to Bundanon for final selection

3. The Bundanon selection decision will be final

4. Feedback can be provided on request if available

Please complete the following form to submit your interest.

* Required

Upload CV - Please include exhibition history, collections where your work is held, awards and residencies (single PDF only, max 2MB)

Upload a portfolio of 8-10 images which clearly demonstrate your current practice and development - Please include artwork details including title, year, medium, size (single PDF only, max 10MB)

If you would like to discuss your application or require any assistance regarding the process please contact:

Tamara Rakich (Operations Manager)
tamara@mccahonhouse.org.nz

The successful applicant will be notified by 31 March 2026