In 2023, McCahon House and Bundanon formed a partnership to offer an international artist exchange residency at Bundanon, near Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia, and McCahon House, Titirangi, Aotearoa New Zealand.

The McCahon House x Bundanon Residency Exchange would not have been possible without the generous support of Brigit and David Kirk, along with the commitment from The Tomorrow Group – our McCahon House patrons. The Kirks support enables artists from both Aotearoa and Australia to participate in the Exchange. 

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

We are pleased to announce that expressions of interest for the 2026 Residency at Bundanon will be by an open call opening 3 December 2025

Residency dates are 3-31 August 2026

Applications close 4pm Wednesday 18 February 2026

To apply, please complete this form


ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

Bundanon is an art museum and residency embedded in the landscape, situated near Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia. A wildlife sanctuary set on 1000 hectares, it was the home of painter Arthur Boyd. The organisation creates learning programs for students of all ages and operates Australia’s largest artist in residence programme across disciplines.   

In the even years, a McCahon House selected Aotearoa artist will undertake a month-long residency in Australia and in the odd years a Bundanon selected Australian artist will be hosted at Parehuia in Aotearoa New Zealand. The inaugural residency took place in August 2024 when Aotearoa artist Madison Kelly (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Pākehā) travelled to Australia. In April 2025, McCahon House hosted Australian artist Juanita McLauchlan (Gamilaaray).

Bundanon will offer a one-bedroom apartment with attached studio to the selected artist. The artist will also have access to the Dorothy Dwyer Silversmiths’ Studio.

The studio and accommodation costs will be covered by the host and the Artist will be offered a stipend of $3,000 (in the host currency) and $750 contribution towards return flights and associated travel to and from Bundanon.

Due to the remote location, bushland environment, working farm, and working studios, there are inherent risks onsite that make the Artist in Residence complex unsuitable for children or partners at the residencies. Bundanon is a place of creative work and reflection and consideration of all artists working on site is paramount. Transfers from the train station and bus terminal to Bundanon can be arranged but it is recommended that Artists have their own cars.


APPLICATION CRITERIA

1. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand at the time of entry

2. Applicants must be able to reside and work full-time at Bundanon during the term of the residency

3. The Residency is designed for early-career artists working across the visual arts disciplines. Early-career is defined as an artist who is in the early stages of their professional careers. They may have completed training, exhibited, won local awards, and are developing a body of work, but have yet to achieve widespread recognition.

4. The artist must show a practice that has been sustained – this can be shown through their CV

5. The artist must have a sufficient body of work which clearly demonstrates current practice and development


SELECTION PROCESS

1. The selection panel comprises three artists and colleagues from the visual arts community

2. The Panel’s top 3 applicants will be submitted to Bundanon for final selection

3. The Bundanon selection decision will be final

4. Feedback can be provided on request if available

If you would like to discuss your application or require any assistance regarding the process please contact:

Tamara Rakich (Operations Manager)
tamara@mccahonhouse.org.nz

The successful applicant will be notified by 31 March 2026

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Carbon Forest, Bundanon, 2020 photo courtesy of Bundanon, by John Janson-Moore

“We are delighted to support this new artist exchange between Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. McCahon House and Bundanon deliver highly sought-after residencies which offer artists the opportunity to reflect on and express their art making in a new environment and a new cultural context. We know artists will use the opportunity in many different ways – contemplation, stimulation, challenge and reflection are just a few of these. We hope the exchange provides whatever it is that most supports the creative process for each artist” - Brigit and David Kirk, 2024