Supported by Wyndham City Arts & Culture
Wyndham City is thrilled to be working with Deakin University to support a Wyndham based artist to work on the international stage at the Venice Biennale with host organisation, the European Cultural Centre, on the project, Venetian Bind, curated by Cameron Bishop and David Cross.
The Venetian Bind project takes place in Venice from 19 October – 24 October 2026. (Applicants need travel to Venice no later than 17 October 2026)
This opportunity aims to foster the creative skills of a local practitioner and build the creative capacity of the Wyndham community by encouraging cross-cultural exchange. It will provide a rare platform for a Wyndham artist to develop and profile their practice alongside creative artists and researchers from across the disciplinary spectrum at Deakin University, with the exhibition of a series of resolved collaborative works at Palazzo Mora, Venice, in November 2026.
The Venice Mentorship Opportunity
Over six days, Monday 19 October – Saturday 24 October 2026, the artist will engage with real-time curatorial provocations, which will challenge them to push the boundaries of, and the thinking they bring to, their creative practice. This immersive experience will provide a rare chance to gain insights from creative practitioners working across design, filmmaking, creative writing and the visual arts, fostering growth through direct interaction, feedback and making.
The dynamic environment of Venice, with its blend of historical and contemporary culture, will serve as a fertile ground for the artist to develop site-responsive works that resonate with Venice’s unique atmosphere and environment.
This experience will not only build resilience and refine their technical and collaborative skills but also broaden their conceptual and critical thinking, preparing them for future opportunities in Wyndham City and further afield.
The artist will be working hands-on with the mentors to develop site-responsive artworks, integrating diverse techniques and perspectives with existing practice and approaches. Supported by curators Cameron Bishop and David Cross.
Participating Artist Overview
The successful artist will be tasked with the following:
- Engaging in a contract with Deakin University.
- Be responsible for arranging all travel including flights, accommodation, insurances and ground transportation.
- Participate in all program requirements including the introduction to project and fellow participants prior to departure
- Participate in a tailored workshop in Venice related to the thematic and material aspects of their Venetian Bind program.
- The artist will be working hands-on with the mentors to develop site-responsive artworks, integrating diverse techniques and perspectives with existing practice and approaches.
- Participate in feedback and critique sessions with the mentors who will provide constructive feedback and critiques on the artist's work to refine and enhance their creative practice.
- Collaborate in the creation of a site responsive work and participate in a document filming process
The works created will be presented at Palazzo Mora during November 2026. The artist will not be present for the exhibition period. Deakin University will ship works back to Melbourne, where curators will work towards further exhibition opportunities in Singapore, Aukland and at Deakin University.
Participant funding breakdown:
- Participation Fee: $1,500
- Travel arrangements – includes airfare, accommodation, ground transportation and per diems: $8,000
- All other personal expenses are to be covered by the artist.
- All production costs for work made in Venice will be provided for the artist on arrival.
Key dates
| EOIs open | Monday 31 August 2026, 12pm, 2026 |
| EOIs close | Tuesday 15 September, 5pm 2026 |
| EOI Panel Assessment | Wednesday 16 September 2026 |
| Artist Engaged by | Thursday 17 September 2026 |
| Artist Briefings | Two x 1hr – to be arranged by Deakin University |
| Artist Flight Departs Australia | 17 or 18 October 2026 |
| Venetian Bind Program Commences | 19 October 2026 |
| Venetian Bind Program Concludes | 24 October 2026 |
| Artist Flight Departs Italy | 25 October 2026 |
| Artist returns to Australia | 26 October 2026 |
| Exhibition in at Palazzo Mora Dates | November 2026 |
| Artist in Conversation Event | TBC |
| Evaluation | February 2027 |
Selection & Eligibility Criteria
- Suitability of the artist and practice to the program and its artistic environment.
- How the opportunity would strengthen artistic practice or the potential for the artist/their practice development to contribute positively to others.
- Demonstration of professional and inter-personal skills to contribute positively to the project.
- Ability of artist to commitment to Venice program and activities on return to Australia.
- you are 18 years or over
- you are a resident of Wyndham City
- you have an ABN
- you do not have any outstanding Wyndham City Council grant acquittals
- you are not Council staff, a Councillor, Deakin University staff, or an immediate family member nor a past project participant.
Must Have
The successful EOI recipient must have:
- Current Passport with at least 6-months clear of expiration date from October 17, 2026.
- Travel Insurance that includes coverage for any pre-existing conditions. In addition, Deakin will require you to have public liability and professional indemnity. Proof of coverage will be required when contracting with Deakin University.
Overseas Travel & Accomodation Arrangements
The artist is required to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Deakin University will offer guidance for these arrangements. The artist will be responsible for ensuring their own requirements are met.
Artist In Conversation Event
Wyndham City Arts & Culture is committed to presenting a one-off In Conversation event with the participating artist and Deakin University post mentorship. The focus of the conversation will be discussing the experience and development opportunity for the artist. Wyndham City will be responsible for delivery of this event. No additional fees will be paid to the recipient of this program for their inclusion in this event.
Evaluation
Deakin University and Wyndham City Arts & Culture will conduct participant debrief with the artist and document feedback for evaluation of the program.
Terms and Conditions
By submitting an expression of interest to participate in the Venetian Bind project (‘project’) run by Deakin University and supported by Wyndham City Council (‘Council’), you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
These terms and conditions should be read in conjunction with other documents and information relating to the project, including your EOI form and the information made available on Council’s website.
- ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to submit an EOI, you must be a Wyndham resident aged 18 years or older. Council staff, Councillors, Deakin University staff, and their immediate family members; and past project participants are ineligible to apply.
- EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
2.1 EOIs must be submitted between 12pm on Monday 31 August 2026 and 5:00pm on Tuesday 15 September 2026 via https://wyndham.smartygrants.com.au/venicebiennalementorship 2026. EOIs which are incomplete or received outside of this period will not be accepted.
2.2 You agree to immediately notify Council of any changes to your EOI, including the request to withdraw your EOI by emailing arts@wyndham.vic.gov.au.
2.3 Council accepts no responsibility for late, lost, incomplete, invalid or corrupt EOIs.
- ASSESSMENT OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS
3.1EOIs will be assessed by a judging panel consisting of one Council officer, a past project participant and two Deakin University employees on September 16, 2026, in accordance with its evaluation criteria. One applicant will be selected and invited to be the artist for the project.
3.2 All applicants will be contacted by email no later than 18 September 2026 and advised of the outcome of their application.
- SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT
4.1 The successful applicant will be required to enter into an agreement with Deakin University and comply with its terms and conditions, including in relation to insurance and travel requirements, to enable their participation in the project.
4.2 The successful applicant agrees to participate in the Artist in Conversation event to be hosted by Council and to participate in any project evaluations as required by Council.
4.3 To summarise, the successful applicant will:
a. be required to enter into an agreement with Deakin University;
b. possess a current passport with more than 6 months validity from the expiry date;
c. be permitted to enter Italy through customs;
d. make their own travel and accommodation arrangements, and provide proof of insurance documentation;
e. be available to attend all project activities and events;
f. work collaboratively with fellow project artists;
g. participate in the Artist in Conversation event in Wyndham;
h participate in any project evaluations as required by Council.
- NO RELATIONSHIP
Nothing in these terms and conditions or the conduct of Council and you creates a relationship of agency, partnership, employer and employee or joint venture between you and Council.
- GENERAL
6.1 Council reserves the right to change or modify these terms and conditions at any time and without notice to you.
6.2 Council’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.