Artist Residency Program
Founded in 2019, Nature Foundation's Artist Residency Program offers artists with a professional profile the opportunity to spend up to two weeks at either Witchelina or Hiltaba Nature Reserves.
2025 Applications are now open, and close 31 March 2025. See details below.
2023 Artist In Residence - Caroline Johnson
Summit of the Ancients, Caroline Johnson, 2022
Caroline Johnson, one of three artists awarded Residencies in 2022, spent two weeks on Hiltaba during August-September. An experienced and enthusiastic landscape painter, she roamed widely over the Reserve, creating a portfolio of work that reflects the beauty and drama of the natural features it presents. Her paintings were highly sought-after at the Nature’s Foundations 2 exhibition of the three artists’ work, held in The Main Gallery in June 2023.
Artist Residency Program aims
The Artist Residency Progam aims to:
- ​reflect Nature Foundation’s conservation vision by encouraging artists to become immersed in the natural environment, and to respond through their creative work;
- support the work of participating artists with an interest in remote natural environments, by providing them with opportunities for substantial visits to Witchelina or Hiltaba Nature Reserves, or both.
What the Artist Residency provides
The Artist Residency Program invites up to three artists each year to spend up to two weeks on either Witchelina, Hiltaba, or a week on each. A living away from home allowance commensurate with the length of a Residency will be offered to participating artists.
Nature Foundation will provide participating artists with accommodation and general support, including orientation to and guidance on the Nature Reserves. We will also promote and sell works generated through artists’ visits through media and exhibition opportunities, website, newsletter, email, social media and member events.
Who can apply
Nature Foundation invites applications from professional artists. Artists may be regularly selling work and exhibiting in a commercial gallery, but this is not a prerequisite.
Aboriginal artists are strongly encouraged to apply.
Meet our 2024 artists here.
Further information and how to apply
Witchelina and Hiltaba are open to visitors between 1 April and 31 October. Artist Residencies will be offered at times to be negotiated within this 7-month period.
Applications close 31 March 2025.
Artist Residency Program Advisory Group—Expressions of Interest
We are currently seeking expressions of interest from people who would like to support the Artist Residency Program through its Advisory Group. Learn more about the Advisory Group and submit your EOI here.
Nature Foundation gratefully acknowledges sponsorship of this program by the Helen James Endowment Fund.