Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection Artist Residency
The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia seeks applications for a four week artist residency.
Lisa Waup, Recipient of 2023/2024 Artist Residency at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection. Image credit: Tom Cogill
About the opportunity
The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia is the only museum dedicated to Australian First Nations art in the United States. Its mission is “to expand knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Australian arts and cultures to cultivate greater appreciation of human diversity and creativity.”
In partnership with the University of Virginia, we offer this exciting professional development opportunity for established First Nations visual artists to undertake a residency of up to four weeks at Kluge-Ruhe and exhibit a collection of work.
Creative Australia has made significant investment in this partnership for over 10 years, supporting some of Australia’s most highly respected First Nations visual artists, including Lisa Waup, James Tylor, Dub Leffler, Brian Robinson, Barbara Moore & Sharon Adamson, Kent Morris, Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, Carol McGregor, Julie Gough, Janet Fieldhouse, Djambawa Marawili AM, Damien Shen, Bianca Beetson, Ricardo Idagi, Nici Cumpston, David Bosun, Yhonnie Scarce, and Vernon Ah Kee.
During the residency, artists will participate actively in the life of the University of Virginia. This participation can be accomplished in several ways, such as working on projects with students, demonstrating work in the studio and delivering artist talks. Artists are encouraged to consider ways their residency might engage students and faculty in different disciplines. Kluge-Ruhe will build on the artist’s strengths and interests to assist them in designing programs and establishing networks.
Artists should submit a detailed expression of interest, exhibition proposal and CV/resume (see application form). View application guidelines.
Kluge-Ruhe will provide the following support:
- return international flights
- accommodation in Charlottesville
- transportation between accommodation and the museum or University of Virginia
- per diems
- exhibition support, including shipping, mounting and framing of work
- access to a studio or workspace
- assistance with connections to the visual arts sector in the United States and within the University’s network
- welcome reception and other social events
- marketing and promotion.
Creative Australia will provide an honorarium to the artist of $20,000 AUD.
To successfully complete your application, you must provide the following:
1. Current resume or CV (Word document or PDF)
2. Letter of Interest addressing the following questions. (Word document or PDF)
- What opportunities are you looking for in a residency at Kluge-Ruhe?
- What skills would you like to develop?
- What skills are you prepared to teach others?
- How do you propose to share your artistic practice with others, for example, students and faculty at the University of Virginia, Kluge-Ruhe’s public audience and local artists in the Charlottesville community?
- How do you imagine this residency will benefit your practice and your community?
- Why is this the right time for you to undertake a residency in the U.S.?
3. Description of a proposed exhibition that you or your agent can loan to Kluge-Ruhe for six months OR up to 10 images of your work.
This proposal is not final but will give us a sense of what you envision exhibiting at Kluge-Ruhe. (Word document or PDF)
Please see the gallery floorplan with dimensions.
Images of the gallery are available at:
Close to the Wind: Lisa Waup
Untouched Landscape: James Tylor
Darkish: Dub Leffler
4. Indicate the periods that you are available to undertake a residency at Kluge-Ruhe. (Check all applicable boxes)
September/October 2025 (exhibition period June – December 2025) February/March 2026 (exhibition period January – June 2026) September/October 2026 (exhibition period July – Dec 2026) February/March 2027 (exhibition period January – June 2027)
Applications will be assessed by a panel of First Nations Australian curators and Kluge-Ruhe staff, with final recommendations endorsed by the First Nations team at Creative Australia. You will be advised of the outcome of your application with 8 weeks of the closing date for applications.
Key dates
Applications close: Tuesday 12 November 2024 at 3pm AEDT
Amount: $20,000
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
Art form: Visual Arts
Length of residency: up to 1 month
Dates: September/October 2025, February/March 2026, September/October 2026, or February/March 2027
This residency is open only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Apply here
Contact
Tahjee Moar
Project Manager
First Nations Arts & Culture
Phone: +61 2 9215 9095
Email: tahjee.moar@creative.gov.au