The Australia Council has announced the first recipients of a new residency offered through the UKARIA Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills.

Queensland-based composer Gordon Hamilton and beatboxer Tom Thum will be the first artistic team to head to the UKARIA Cultural Centre in September. The duo plan to use the residency to develop new works which will be premiered in upcoming international performances in Germany.

Sydney-based composer Nick Wales will also undertake a residency in November. He will lead an international interdisciplinary team including Japanese sculptor Shun Ito in the first stage of developing a new work titled “Kinetic Wonderland”.

The residency has been offered thanks to a new partnership between the Australia Council and UKARIA Cultural Centre. CEO of UKARIA Alison Beare said the residency was highly competitive.

“We are excited to partner with the Australia Council to provide this opportunity for Australian musicians and composers. The strong response to our call out is testament to the fantastic opportunities which can be created through these kinds of partnerships,” she said.

Australia Council Music Director Paul Mason thanked UKARIA for providing an ideal location and support for artists to develop new work.

“We know providing time and space for artists to develop work at key moments can have a huge impact. UKARIA provides an ideal setting for these artists to collaborate and refine their work. We look forward to seeing what these artists will continue to produce for years to come thanks to this opportunity.”

Residents will have exclusive access to facilities including a state-of-the-art recital centre, and adjacent accommodation in the picturesque Adelaide Hills as well as financial support to assist with the development of new works

UKARIA is ideally located in Mt Barker, and provides a unique regional setting, only 30 minutes from Adelaide, a designated UNESCO City of Music.