Applications Open: Paid Socially Engaged Art Residency
Australian mid-career socially engaged artists to apply for a paid 12-month residency program (October 2026 to September 2027) involving mentorship, peer learning, and delivery of a small socially engaged art project.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 6 days left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $7,000
- Location
- Sydney, Australia (two in-person residencies)
- Exhibition window
- Oct 27, 2026 → Sep 30, 2027
- Applicants notified
- Sep 15, 2026
About
Overview
The CASE Incubator National Residency Program is a paid, 12-month residency and professional development program for Australian socially engaged artists. Eight mid-career socially engaged artists, one from each state and territory, will be selected to develop their practice, engage with peers, build networks with diverse partners, and contribute a small project or resource to the sector. The program runs from October 2026 to September 2027.
What You'll Receive
- $3000 (ex. GST) artist fee plus superannuation contribution
- $4000 (inc. GST) to deliver a small project or resource for the sector
- Travel, accommodation and per diems covered for two in-person residencies in Sydney
What You'll Do
- Attend a 4-day in-person residency in Sydney, 27-30 October 2026
- Attend eight 2-hour online learning and discussion workshops (November 2026 to July 2027)
- Devise and deliver a small socially engaged art project between November 2026 and September 2027 within the $4000 budget
- Attend a second 4-day in-person residency in Sydney in August 2027 (dates TBC)
Eligibility Criteria
- Mid-career socially engaged artist who has led and delivered five or more socially engaged projects in any artform
- Solo artist applicants only
- Active ABN required
- Public liability insurance required or willingness to obtain it
- Available to attend in-person residency in Sydney 27-30 October 2026
- Able to attend eight 2-hour online meetings
- Able to devise and deliver a small socially engaged project with $4000 budget between November 2026 and September 2027
- Willing to engage collaboratively with a cohort of peers from across Australia
- First Nations applicants and artists from regional and remote areas are encouraged to apply
- Not previously awarded Cad Factory opportunities (CASE Incubator Program, Joyce Spencer Textile Awards, Scene Shift Residency, or River Stories commission)
Key Dates
- 13 July 2026: Applications open
- 28 August 2026: Applications close
- Mid-September 2026: Applicants notified
- 27-30 October 2026: In-person residency in Sydney
- November 2026 – July 2027: Eight 2-hour online professional development sessions
- November 2026 – September 2027: Devise and deliver socially engaged project
- August 2027 (dates TBC): Second 4-day in-person residency in Sydney
Application Process
Applications are submitted online. You will not be required to submit project ideas with your application; these will be devised and discussed during the first residency. One artist will be selected from each state and territory across Australia. A diversity of artforms will be considered in the selection process.
Contact
For questions, contact Assistant Producer Kimberley Beattie at [email protected]. Visit www.cadfactory.com.au/about for more information.
- Award
- $3000 artist fee plus superannuation contribution; $4000 budget to deliver a small project or resource; travel, accommodation and per diems covered for two in-person residencies in Sydney
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Entries per artist
- Up to 1
- Theme
- Socially engaged art addressing complex social, environmental, and health challenges through collaborative, community-embedded practice.
- Eligibility
- Mid-career Australian socially engaged artists who have led and delivered five or more socially engaged projects, with active ABN and public liability insurance, available to attend in-person residencies and online workshops, and able to deliver a project with allocated budget.
- Audience
- Mid-career socially engaged artists; Australian artists from all states and territories; First Nations applicants and artists from regional and remote areas encouraged
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.