Organizer Information:

Orange Regional Gallery (Australia) and Messums | ORG (UK). The initiative is made possible by the generous support of Rowena Danziger in memory of Ken Coles AM. The residency takes place at Messums East, situated in The Old Post Office in Lowestoft, a refurbished new arts complex on the most easterly point of the UK.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Full Circle International Residency Award.

This initiative supports visual artists who engage with the landscape and/or environment to evolve their creative practice. Each year, one artist is selected for a fully funded six-week residency in the UK, which culminates in a solo exhibition at the Orange Regional Gallery in Australia the following year. The residency places emphasis on contemplation, community engagement, and social outreach.

Category:

Visual Arts, Landscape, & Environmental Art (Open to all media including painting, sculpture, drawing, photo media, moving image, or other forms of visual expression).

Eligibility:

  • Who: The award is strictly open to mid-career Australian artists who are currently based in New South Wales (NSW). Applicants must be Australian Citizens or permanent residents with a valid passport.
  • Thematic Focus: The artist’s work must directly or indirectly respond to the natural or built environment, landscape, or country.
  • Solo Attendance: This is intended as a solo residency. Friends, family, or partners are NOT included or permitted to accompany the artist.
  • Availability: The artist must be available to undertake an uninterrupted 6-week residency between September 1 and November 30, 2026.
  • Exhibition Rule: The resulting exhibition at Orange Regional Gallery must consist ONLY of new work (artworks that have not been previously exhibited in either a commercial gallery setting or a public institution).

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Total Value: AUD $33,000.
  • Residency Support (UK): Includes international flights, travel, accommodation, studio space, art materials, and living expenses for the 6-week duration.
  • Exhibition Support (Australia): A six-week solo exhibition the following year (Sept-Oct 2027) at Orange Regional Gallery, including curatorial support, an artist’s fee, and a publication to present and document the work produced.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: None (Fully funded opportunity).

Application Requirements:

Submit via the online application platform, including:

  1. Proof of mid-career professional experience/track record.
  2. Project and Exhibition Proposal: A brief proposal outlining objectives, expected outcomes, and how the residency will benefit your artistic practice.

How to Apply?

Submit your application via the official online platform linked on the Messums website.

Key Dates:

  • Applications Open: March 31, 2026.
  • Application Deadline: April 30, 2026, at midnight.
  • Artist Selected & Announced: May 31 – Early June 2026.
  • Residency Period (UK): 6 weeks between September 1 – November 30, 2026.
  • Exhibition Period (Australia): September – October 2027.

Location:

  • Residency: Messums East, Lowestoft, UK.
  • Exhibition: Orange Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia.

Contact Information:

Inquiries (Australia): Bradley Hammond, Director, ORG (gallery@orange.nsw.gov.au)

Website: Full Circle International Residency Award