Expressions of Interest close: 5 June 2026
South East Arts and Arts OutWest are seeking Expressions of Interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists to participate in a paid residency exchange between the Far South East and Central West New South Wales.
This new residency program offers artists dedicated time to develop their practice, build networks, and share skills across regions.
In 2026, one artist from the South East Arts region will undertake a residency in the Arts OutWest region, while one artist from the Arts OutWest region will undertake a residency at Narra Bukulla, near Tanja on the Far South East Coast.
This initiative is presented by South East Arts and Arts OutWest and supported by the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program.
Residency Overview
- A stipend of $3,000 will be provided to each selected artist to support travel, materials, and living expenses.
- Residencies must run for a minimum of two weeks, between June 2026 and July 2027 to a maximum of four weeks with particular months available for each residency in this period.
- Artists will be required to deliver a community engagement activity (e.g. workshop, open studio, or presentation). Please reach out to the RADO to see what support may be available.
- This opportunity is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists only in 2026, with potential expansion in future years.
- Artists must reside within either the South East Arts or Arts OutWest regions.
- Applications are open to individual artists.
Residency Locations
South East Arts Residency (Narra Bukulla, Tanja)
The South East Arts residency will take place at Narra Bukulla, a private property adjacent to Mimosa Rocks National Park.
The site features:
- A large, open studio with high ceilings, long walls, and roller-door access.
- Surrounded by a spotted gum forest and abundant native flora and wildlife
- Proximity to pristine beaches and significant natural and cultural sites
The property has a long-standing creative ethos, with site-specific artworks developed alongside practices in art, science, architecture, and sustainability, shaped across three generations and now continuing into a fourth.
Accommodation is located nearby and is modest, with semi-wheelchair access.
During the residency, the artist will:
- Be introduced to local artists and cultural organisations
- Have opportunities to connect with the Djiringanj people of the Yuin Nation
- Be supported with site visits relevant to their practice
- Deliver a public-facing activity such as an open studio or workshop
Please note: Residencies are unavailable at Nara Bukulla from mid October through to December due to other commitments.
Arts OutWest Residency (The Squatter's Cottage, Portland)
Location: The Foundations and The Squatter’s Cottage, Portland (Central Tablelands, NSW) https://thefoundations.com.au
Portland, NSW is a charming small village lost in time. Located in Central West NSW between Bathurst and Lithgow, it was known as the “The Town that Built Sydney”.
The Squatter’s Cottage sits within The Portland Foundations precinct in Portland, NSW, which was once a huge cement works. The quarries are now lakes, the large estate is lined with informal bushwalks and the gracious industrial buildings are aged.
It has been named ‘The Squat’ or ‘The Squatter’s Cottage’ as it is a largely unrenovated basic cottage. It leans into “art squat” subculture of making art in spaces and places that are vacant and affordable. It is not a purpose-built studio/accommodation residency.
T. C. Overson, the first AIR program National Art School prize recipient and later AIR program coordinator, expressed “It’s a simple old place, yet full of character.” Many have found it to be the perfect space for a self-directed creative retreat. One resident has quipped “it is a step up from camping”!
Originally the building was the first Bank of New South Wales in the town. The studio was the bank and the attached cottage was the manager’s home. Many of the original features are still observable in the layers of time.
Please read about The Squatter’s Residency on the Arts OutWest webpage including looking at the images of the unrenovated Squatter’s cottage to get a sense of the residency. The Squatters Residency - Arts OutWest
Please note: Residencies are unavailable at The Foundations until January 2027 due to other commitments.