I remember as a little boy in Burrell Creek reading about artist Arthur Boyd wanting to bequest his riverside property to the government and how this precious place almost was rejected as being too isolated, too hard, too tricky to manage.

Boyd and wife Yvonne gifted their homestead on the Shoalhaven River 25 years ago, with the artist declaring: ”You can’t take it with you, and I cannot bear to think of Bundanon being chopped up and ruined.”

Now, Bundanon is a thriving arts destination that draws artists from around the world to create in this special place on the banks of the Shoalhaven River.

And next year, I’m going to be one of the artists-in-residence to create work here.

A record number of applications from across the world.  

Bundanon’s world-renowned Artist in Residence program is the largest program of its kind in Australia and spans the organisation’s 30-year history. The program grows year-on-year and is structured through a series of partnerships with leading arts organisations and companies, cultural agencies and benefactors. 

This year, Bundanon received a record number of applications from individuals and groups from across the world.  

There are no direct costs associated with Bundanon’s 2024 Artist in Residence Program for artists. This important initiative highlights the organisation’s commitment to support the development of new work in Australia, consistent with Revive the National Cultural Policy that promotes the centrality of the artist.

Rachel Kent, CEO said: “Bundanon is a uniquely positioned, world-renowned arts organisation. This residency program upholds our core commitment to actively support cultural production across all disciplines, and in all phases of the creative process. We are delighted to welcome such a diverse group of artists and researchers to Bundanon in 2024.” 

Bundanon’s residency program is for visual and performing arts, literature, dance and music, as well as environmental and scientific research. It provides important career opportunities for artists and researchers to develop their work in an inspiring environment. Artists and researchers are hosted in purpose-built studios and rehearsal spaces on the organisation’s secluded Homestead Site. 

Arthur Boyd’s vision that Bundanon would continue to provide a creative space for Australia’s contemporary artists is at the heart of the program.