Open Cut Commission

Open Cut Title with Image.jpg

Open Cut Commission 2027

Applications are now open for the Broken Hill City Art Gallery’s Open Cut Commission 2027.

The Open Cut Commission invites artists, creatives and researchers from across Australia to develop new work, undertake research and engage meaningfully with the distinctive cultural, environmental and social landscape of Broken Hill and the Far West.

The opportunity is open to practitioners working across a broad range of disciplines, including visual art, ceramics, photography, writing, performance, sound, moving image, interdisciplinary practice and research.

The successful applicant will receive $6,000 to support the development and delivery of their proposed project. The resulting work will be presented at Broken Hill City Art Gallery between August and October 2027.

Key Dates

Applications open: Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Applications close: Friday, 16 October 2026
Successful applicant notified: By Friday, 30 October 2026
Exhibition period: August–October 2027

 

About the Commission

Applicants are invited to submit a proposal outlining the artistic or research practice they intend to undertake through the Open Cut Commission.

Projects may take a variety of forms and encompass visual art, writing, performance, sound, research, experimentation or interdisciplinary practice.

Proposals should demonstrate a clear connection to the Australian outback, regional communities or, more specifically, Broken Hill and its surrounding environment. Applicants are encouraged to consider how the unique landscape, history, culture, communities and stories of the region may inform their research and creative practice.

The commission should be approached as an opportunity for research, experimentation, exchange and connection, rather than simply as a period in which to produce a finished body of work.

Proposals that demonstrate genuine engagement with place, community and the unique cultural and environmental context of Broken Hill are encouraged.

 

Who can apply

The Open Cut Commission is open to artists, creatives and researchers from across Australia working in a broad range of disciplines, including:

  • Visual art
  • Ceramics
  • Photography
  • Writing
  • Performance
  • Sound
  • Moving image
  • Interdisciplinary practice
  • Artistic or creative research

Applicants must propose a project that demonstrates a clear connection to the Australian outback, regional communities, Broken Hill and/or the surrounding environment.

Applicants should also be willing to engage meaningfully with the Broken Hill community and deliver a public program or community engagement activity as part of the commission.

 

Proposal Requirements

Applications must include the following information and supporting material.

Artistic or Research Project

Maximum 300 words

Provide an outline of your proposed artistic or research project, including your ideas, areas of enquiry, processes and intended outcomes.

Clearly explain how the project relates to the outback, regional Australia, Broken Hill and/or its surrounding environment, and how the commission will contribute to the development of the work or research.

Indicative Exhibition Outcome

Maximum 200 words

Provide a statement outlining the potential exhibition or presentation outcome of your project.

Outcomes may include new artworks, text, sound, performance, photography, video, artist books, ephemera or other forms of creative presentation.

Applicants should consider how their experience and research might be shared with Broken Hill City Art Gallery audiences through the resulting exhibition.

Community Engagement and Public Programs

Applicants are expected to demonstrate how they will engage with the local community while undertaking the project.

Proposals must include a commitment to developing a public program or community engagement opportunity as part of the commission. Proposed activities may include:

  • Artist talks
  • Workshops
  • Demonstrations
  • Performances
  • Community conversations
  • Presentations
  • Guided fieldwork
  • Open studios
  • Other forms of audience engagement

The proposed activity should provide a meaningful opportunity for the Broken Hill community to engage with the artist, their practice and the ideas explored through the project.

The public program should be considered an integral part of the commission and provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, conversation and participation between the artist and the local community.

Project Budget and Use of Funds

Applicants must provide an indicative budget outlining how the $6,000 commission funding will be used to support the proposed artistic or research project.

The budget may include:

  • Materials and equipment
  • Travel and accommodation
  • Research expenses
  • Production costs
  • Community engagement activities
  • Public programs
  • Other directly related project expenses

The proposed budget must be realistic, appropriate and directly connected to the proposed project and its intended outcomes.

Where applicable, applicants should also identify any additional funding, in-kind support or other resources that will contribute to the project.

Support Material

Applicants may provide up to 10 labelled images demonstrating their artistic practice and their relevance to the proposed project.

Each image should include the artist’s name, artwork title, year, medium and dimensions, where applicable.

Applicants may also provide one video, sound or multimedia work. These files should be hosted on an accessible third-party platform, such as YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud, with the relevant link included in the application.

Please ensure any passwords required to access supporting material are also supplied.

Curriculum Vitae and Artist Bio

Applicants must provide:

  • A current curriculum vitae outlining relevant artistic experience, exhibitions, projects, awards, residencies and professional achievements
  • A current artist biography

 

How to apply

Applicants must complete the online application form and submit:

  • An artistic or research project proposal
  • An indicative exhibition outcome
  • A community engagement and public program proposal
  • An indicative project budget
  • Up to 10 labelled support images
  • A link to one video, sound or multimedia work, if applicable
  • A current Curriculum Vitae
  • A current artist bio

Please refer to the Proposal Requirements above for word limits, submission guidelines and further details.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, 16 October 2026. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

Apply by completing and submitting the application form at the bottom of this page.

 

More Information

Any questions about the residency and application process should be directed to:

Broken Hill City Art Gallery

 

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