Applications are now open for the 2020 Accessible Arts and Bundanon Trust Artist-In-Residence Program which will provide a prestigious creative and career development opportunity for up to five (5) artists with disability from NSW and the ACT.

Successful applicants will be funded to undertake a six (6) night residency at the renowned Bundanon Trust estate from 12 – 18 October (dependent on any relevant COVID travel restrictions).

The Bundanon Trust is a beautiful rural property near Nowra in NSW that was gifted to the Australian people by famous Australian artist Arthur Boyd. The estate now supports arts practice and engagement with the arts through residency, education, exhibition and performance programs. Accessible Arts is NSW’s peak disability and arts organisation and for the last four years has partnered with the Bundanon Trust to present an annual residency program for artists with disability.

Successful applicants will be accommodated in accessible self-catering cabins incorporating an artist’s studio. They will also be given a bursary to cover per diems. Applications close on Monday 17 August: APPLY NOW: https://www.aarts.net.au/news/accessible-arts-bundanon-trust-artist-residency/

An online information session will be held on Monday 10 August from 10am – 11:30am to provide potential applicants with more detail about the program and the application process. REGISTER NOW: https://2020aartsbundanonresidency.eventbrite.com.au

Accessible Arts CEO Kerry Comerford: “Artists with disability don’t always get the same opportunities as artists without disability due to a range of physical, financial, and cultural barriers. This program is all about trying to level the playing field for professional artists with disability so they can take their creativity and their careers to the next level.

“The Bundanon Trust Artist-in-Residence program is the largest of its kind in Australia, making it highly sought after by artists nationally. The residencies have been important steppingstones in the careers of many successful Australian artists, and this is what makes our annual initiative an incredibly valuable creative and career development opportunity for artists with disability.

“Due to the impact of COVID, the budget for this year’s residency program had to be raised through a community fundraising program, and so we’d like to thank everyone who contributed for their kindness and generosity. Their support is going to make a huge difference in the lives of five very talented artists.”

To find out more or to submit an application, please visit: https://www.aarts.net.au/news/accessible-arts-bundanon-trust-artist-residency/

To register for the information session, please visit: https://2020aartsbundanonresidency.eventbrite.com.au

This is what some of last year’s residency program participants had to say about their experience:

Lucas Wright

Lucas is a visual artist with Down Syndrome from Lismore who paints, draws and creates ceramic artworks. He works out of the REDinc. Supported Art Studio and has an interest in architectural plans, photographs of old buildings and the natural landscape. Lucas’ residency enabled him to create four (4) new works for an exhibition this year at the Lismore Regional Gallery. “I loved being at Bundanon, making art inspired by the beauty of nature and the buildings, I developed new works for my future exhibition and i loved connecting with the environment and other artists. This time was very useful to me also because my art mentor and support worker was able to be there with me to guide me through the studio process.”

Angie Goto

Angie is a Deaf visual artist based in Sydney whose vivid paintings reflect her interpretation of the images and stories she experiences in silence. Angie also works as an Art Educator at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Angie’s residency enabled her to explore how to represent sound in a visual context. “My Bundanon residency allowed me to take a big step forward in my creative practice by having time and space to explore and develop ideas. The program is a really practical way of helping artists with disability create work or activate ideas that will make a unique contribution to art and culture.”

Sri Thulin

Sri is a First Nations visual artist from Western Sydney who works across a range of mediums. She works out of the Little Orange supportive studio in Campbelltown and uses texture and bright colours to explore themes of hope and possibility. Sri’s residency focused on creating a series of paintings which explored her family connections and cultural heritage from the Bundanon region. “It was such a great opportunity. I got everything done I set out to do. Having my support worker there was important.”

ENDS

Contact: Michael Badorrek | Marketing Manager | +61 0431 594 007 | marketing@aarts.net.au