About: First Nations Art Residency
The First Nations Art Residency is a dedicated space to explore new ideas and expand creative practice within a host organisation. First Nations artists are residents over a 3-month period as currently hosted by the Koling wada-ngal Aboriginal Corporation at the Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre on Waddawurrung Country.
This residency is designed to support the development of an idea or creative process, with a strong focus on place and site. This is the main purpose of the residency. The residency otherwise will has a low-key outcome, as negotiated by the artist, This is often an artist talk, sharing of practice, or workshop for example.
First Nations Art Residency – EOIs now open!
Click through the sections below to learn more and apply.
The opportunity
Artists will be provided a free space at Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre that can be accessed during opening hours over a flexible three-month period (October-December 2025). The residency is for First Nations artists (or collectives) to develop work, experiment, and expand on their practice.
The residency is open to all mediums of practice from painting, weaving, digital art to sound and performance-based work. Artists are expected to have some engagement with the Community that uses Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre, be that informal or otherwise.
The residency has no formal outcome required, though artists may choose to share their practice through an artist talk or workshop or other outcome as negotiated.
What the residency is about and what it provides
- To provide a space for First Nations artists to develop and make artwork
- To provide an opportunity for First Nations artists to deepen their practice, try new materials and ways of working.
- To deepen connection through engaging with Community
- To provide network opportunities with creative peers and local Mob
- To strengthen cultural practice and knowledge sharing
First Nations Art Residency program will provide:
- Three months flexible access to free space at Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre
- Provide advice and support whilst in residency
- A fee of $3000
- Optional in-kind support for any public outcome if desired
Wunggurrwil Dhurrung - Residency Space Information
Open to all creative practices*
Space offers:
- Dedicated studio/workshop space (as negotiated with residency hosts)
- Access to communal areas for community engagement
- Outdoor spaces for land-based practice / investigation / activation
- Internet connection
- Kitchen facilities
- Fully accessible facilities
*All practices welcomed yet need to meet minimum workplace safety requirements
Access Hours/Days: Flexible, to be negotiated with successful applicant
Key information – EOI criteria and expectations of artists
Expression of Interest criteria:
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Live, work or socialise in the Wyndham area
- 18+ years of age
- Practising artist or artist collective able to demonstrate evidence of an art practice
- Hold an active ABN and bank account *
- Public Liability Insurance *
- Police check *
- Applicants must not be employees of Wyndham City Council or Koling wada-ngal Aboriginal Corporation
*Please note that these are not necessary at time of application but will need to be addressed if successful.
Expectations for successful artists:
- Be able to demonstrate use of the space for your art practice
- Commitment to use the space regularly over flexible three-month period
- Optional sharing of practice or learnings with the Wyndham creative community (e.g. artist talk, workshop, yarn circle)
- Have a willingness to connect with those who use Wunggurrwil Dhurrung.
Key dates
|
Date |
Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 September 2025 | Expression of Interest opens to artists |
| 13 September 2025, 11am-1pm | Information session at Wunggurrwil Dhurrung (Teams option available) register here. |
| 21 September 2025 | Expression of interest closes |
| 26 September 2025 | All artists notified |
| October 2025 | Flexible residency period begins |
| December 2025 | Residency complete |
Information session
Learn more and yarn with Koling wada-ngal staff about the First Nations Art Residency program.
When: Saturday 13 September 2025, 11am-1pm Where: Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre, 19 Communal Rd, Wyndham Vale VIC 3024
Online option: Teams link available upon registration.
FAQs about applying
What do I need to apply for the Expression of Interest? Upload a single PDF document addressing:
- 50 words or less on your association to Wyndham
- Describe your creative practice including its history, your interests and any highlights
- Share examples of your creative practice by inserting images into the PDF and/or URLs or links to any online examples
- Share an overview (approx. 500 words) of ideas or intentions you might have for the art residency including any ideas with the Community who access Wunggurrwil Dhurrung. Please note, applications are assessed more on how the residency might support the development of your practice rather than promised outcomes.
Do I need to be First Nations to apply? Yes, this residency is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists or collectives.
See Create [Space] for other art residency opportunities in Wyndham.
Is there a formal outcome required? No, there is no formal outcome required. The residency focuses on supporting your creative development and practice. Any public sharing is optional and can be negotiated based on your preferences.
What are the flexible dates? The residency runs October-December 2025, but start and finish dates can be negotiated to suit your needs within this period.
Previous Artists
TARSHA DAVIS (Kuku Yalanji, Palawa)
Tarsha Davis is a Kuku Yalanji and Palawa multidisciplinary artist working across painting, digital art, weaving, jewellery, and textiles. Her practice is grounded in story and explores relationships between identity, place, and making. Using both traditional and contemporary techniques, she creates bold, layered narratives.
Alongside her creative work, Tarsha has contributed to the arts, community, and justice sectors, delivering and managing programs that support wellbeing and access to services. This extends into her design practice, with commissioned works licensed for Our Watch’s Reconciliation Action Plan, Ovarian Cancer Australia branding, the Write Yes campaign and First Nations Justice Team branding at GetUp!
Her work has been exhibited at Linden New Art, Koorie Heritage Trust, and Aboriginal Exhibitions Rutherglen, with pieces held in private and public collections. She was awarded the RMIT Emerging Artist Award (11th Koorie Art Show) and selected for the 2024 Blak Design Program, continuing to refine her practice at the intersection of art, design, sustainability, and advocacy.
Tarsha is interested in how materials hold meaning and memory—how they are transformed, reused, or discarded. As her practice evolves, she is exploring how sustainability and storytelling can shift perspectives on consumption and value.
Portfolio: https://tarsharosina87.myportfolio.com/work
Instagram: @tarsha_davis_
TAMAY BEAM (Minjungbal)
Tamay Beam is an Aboriginal Minjungbal woman from Booningbah, Fingal NSW of the Bundjalung Nation; Saltwater Coastal traditional landowners.
Tamay is a multidisciplinary artist and has been practicing various art forms and her Cultural Aboriginal Art for over 10 years both on a progressional and personal scale. Tamay Beam Art has artwork and products available in several galleries and stores across NSW, QLD and VIC, PLUS designs on fabric in SPOTLIGHT Stores across Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand.
Tamay Beam Art consists of Contemporary Aboriginal Artworks and products; all designs and artworks created by Tamay Beam. Tamay Beam Art is 100% proudly Aboriginal owned and operated.
For any information about the First Nations Art Residency contact First Nations Creative Arts Officer Steven Rhall via steven.rhall@wyndham.vic.gov.au or 03) 83534048.