Following another successful Artist Residency Program and exhibition, Nature Foundation is looking to invite expressions of interest for three advisory group members to assist with the Artist Residency Program in 2025.

The Nature Foundation Artist Residency Program was founded in 2019 and aims to:

• Reflect Nature Foundation’s conservation vision by encouraging artists to become immersed in the natural environment, and to respond to it in their creative work.
• Support the work of participating artists with an interest in remote natural environments, by providing them with opportunities with visits to Witchelina, Hiltaba Nature Reserves, or both.
• Offer participating artists the opportunity to exhibit their work and discover new audiences and markets for their work, particularly collectors who are specifically interested in artwork inspired by nature. 

New terms of reference for Artist Residency Program Advisory Group

Nature Foundation has recently updated its terms of reference for the Artist Residency Program, and the revised the operational aspects of this Advisory Group.  

The emphasis of this Advisory Group is focused on the selection of a shortlist of artists from applicants and making the final recommendations to Nature Foundation for the two Artist Residencies being offered for 2025. The Advisory Group also assists with advice in reviewing the program and the program’s delivery to ensure its success.

The Advisory Group commitment includes attending two meetings, approximately 90 minutes in length, (either in person or remotely via video conferencing) and an invitation to the exhibition launch (date and time TBC). The Advisory Group reviews artist applications and submissions to create a short list for the Program and recommendations for the residencies. Nature Foundation provides an Executive Officer to coordinate and provide administrative support of Artists, the Advisory Group, and liaison with Galleries, Exhibitors and Nature Foundation Staff to ensure the success of the program for all stakeholders.

Ideally, Advisory Group members should collectively possess the ability to assess artworks based on the following criteria:

• Knowledge and experience of arts mediums, including technical, communication and expressive aspects of painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, and drawing.
• Appreciate the connection between Art and Nature Foundation’s Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals for biodiversity and nature conservation.
• Understand contemporary arts markets and exhibiting works successfully.

We invite interested people to express their interest in an advisor role via the following form. You will be asked to provide some information to support your application to join the Advisory Group and may undertake an information meeting to discuss the role of the Advisory Group and its role and purpose in supporting the program. 

These are voluntary roles and where reasonable costs are incurred in attendance of Advisory Group meetings and the exhibition launch; travel reimbursement may be offered.

To express your interest, please complete the Expression of Interest form here.

For further information please contact Carolyn Pickering, Executive Officer, Nature Foundation Artist Residency Program Advisory Group by emailing art (at) naturefoundation.org.au

Nature Foundation gratefully acknowledges sponsorship of this program by the Helen James Endowment Fund.