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Bundanon: Australia's Largest Artist Residency on Arthur Boyd's Legacy
Guide to Bundanon residencies in New South Wales, Australia - the nation's largest artist program offering 1-3 week stays on a 1,000-hectare wildlife refuge with no residency fee.
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Bundanon: Australia's Largest Artist Residency on Arthur Boyd's Legacy
Bundanon on the Shoalhaven River is Australia's largest artist residency program, established through Arthur and Yvonne Boyd's 1993 gift to the nation. The program has grown over 30 years to host more than 250 artists annually.
What Bundanon Offers
- Accommodation in historic cottages or purpose-built apartments
- Studio and rehearsal spaces
- Access to 1,000-hectare wildlife refuge
- No residency fee
- Duration: 1-3 weeks (minimum 6 nights)
What Artists Cover
- Travel expenses
- Food
- Toiletries
- Materials
Special Fellowships
Bundanon partners with organizations to offer enhanced fellowships with additional support:
- British Council Fellowship
- Dobell Foundation Award
- JMGA-NSW Inc. Jewellery and Metalsmith Award
- William Fletcher Foundation Award
- Bundanon First Nations Fellowship
- Bundanon Fellowship for Artists with Disability
- Bundanon Ecological Researcher in Residence
Check specific fellowship requirements and benefits during application.
Disciplines Supported
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Literature
- Science
- Dance
- Music
- Research
Program Period
Residencies run February through November.
Application Details
2026 Applications
- Opened: April 11, 2025
- Closed: May 23, 2025
- Information session: April 17, 2025
Partner Organizations
- Accessible Arts
- Australian Plays Transform
- Australian Theatre for Young People
- British Council
- Critical Path
- JamFactory
- Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia - NSW
- McCahon House
- Meroogal/Museums of History NSW
- Omega Ensemble
- Sir William Dobell Foundation
- William Fletcher Foundation
The Bundanon Experience
The Property
Arthur Boyd's gift includes:
- 1,000+ hectare wildlife refuge
- Historic homestead
- Purpose-built residency complex
- Shoalhaven River frontage
- Native bushland
- Boyd's studio and art collection
Facilities
Artists in Residence Complex:
- Historic cottages
- Purpose-built apartments
- Studios for various disciplines
- Rehearsal spaces
- Architecturally designed buildings
The Landscape
- Dramatic river valley
- Native Australian wildlife
- Walking trails
- Bush regeneration
- Ecological significance
Arthur Boyd Legacy
- Access to Boyd's studio
- Art collection on site
- Historic homestead tours
- Artistic heritage context
Practical Considerations
Location
- Shoalhaven region, New South Wales
- Approximately 2.5 hours south of Sydney
- Car recommended
- Rural, natural setting
Getting There
- Drive from Sydney or Canberra
- Nearest town: Nowra
- Limited public transport
- Airport: Sydney (SYD)
Weather
- Temperate climate
- Can be cool in winter
- Summer bushfire considerations
- Variable weather - pack layers
What to Bring
- Food and groceries
- Art materials
- Appropriate clothing
- Personal items
- Vehicle if possible
Application Tips
- Engage with the landscape - Bundanon values nature connection
- Research Arthur Boyd - Understand the legacy context
- Appropriate duration - Match project to 1-3 week timeframe
- Self-sufficiency - Plan for remote, self-catered living
- Check fellowship eligibility - Partner programs offer extra support
Why Choose Bundanon?
- No residency fee - Accessible to all
- Iconic landscape - Shoalhaven River beauty
- Arthur Boyd legacy - Historic artistic significance
- Wildlife refuge - 1,000 hectares of nature
- Largest program - Australia's premier residency
- Multi-disciplinary - All art forms welcome
How to Apply
- Visit bundanon.com.au/residencies/apply
- Review application guidelines
- Note fellowship opportunities
- Submit during open application period
- Await selection results
Related Resources
Last updated: December 2025. Always verify current details on the official Bundanon website.