BigCi (Bilpin International Ground for Creative Initiatives)
Funding
A$5,000 AUD + 4-week residency (valued separately)
Opens
1 June 2026
Deadline
2 August 2026
Location
Bilpin, NSW, Global
Two international artists win a 4-week residency plus A$5,000 to create environmentally focused work near the Blue Mountains, NSW.
The BigCi Environmental Awards 2026 invite Australian and international artists to submit projects responding to the environmental challenges and natural wonders of the Greater Blue Mountains region in NSW, Australia — a UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape on the edge of Wollemi National Park.
Two winners will each receive
This award is open to artists across disciplines: visual art, installation, multimedia, performance, literature, music, photography, film, and curating are all welcome.
What BigCi is looking for:
Your submission should demonstrate how you'll respond to environmental issues using your chosen medium, with clear relevance to the BigCi location — just 1.5 hours from Sydney, yet surrounded by dramatic wilderness. Projects can explore environmental or natural science themes, ideas related to nature, or creative responses to the unique ecosystems and challenges facing this landscape. Only projects that leave the environment unharmed will be considered.
Winning artists will have access to guided walks through Wollemi, the Blue Mountains, and the Gardens of Stone National Parks, plus research assistance relevant to their projects. At the end of the residency, artists present their work at a BigCi Open Day and may contribute to a broader cultural programme through workshops, talks, performances, or concerts.
Entry fee: A$40 (non-refundable), payable via PayPal on submission.
Key dates:
The four weeks of residency cannot be split. Artists are responsible for food, transport, travel, insurance, and art materials. A car is strongly recommended; pick-up from Richmond train station is available if needed.
For queries, contact Rae Bolotin at rae@bigci.org. More information at www.bigci.org.
