ARTLANDS 2026 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST GUIDELINES  

Wunya – hello

Artlands 2026 brings together a cross-section of Australia's regional creative ecology to explore how creativity connects with the systems shaping regional futures.

Guided by systems and design-thinking principles, and grounded in co-design and peer-led facilitation, Artlands 2026 is a carefully curated environment for sharing ideas that will help shape national advocacy.

This part symposium - part think tank - part workshop creates a genuine exchange between: 
• First Nations voices 
• Creative practitioners 
• Regional policy thinkers 
• Industry leaders

The goal is not to produce another roadmap or set of priorities. Instead, Artlands 2026 focuses on something equally important: creating the conditions for deeper dialogue, stronger relationships and new forms of collaboration across regional Australia

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 THE FRAMEWORK - WATER CONNECTS EVERYTHIING  
Across regional Australia, water shapes landscapes, ecosystems, industries and livelihoods. It runs through culture, memory and identity. It moves between flood and drought, crisis and recovery — revealing the systems communities depend on to live, adapt and endure.

At Artlands 2026, water is the lens, not the topic. It is a connector that opens multiple entry points into conversation, linking Country, culture, creativity and the future of regional Australia.

Through this framework, artists, First Nations knowledge holders, scientists, industry voices and policymakers will explore a central question:

What can creativity reveal about the systems shaping regional Australia's future? 

Water is not just infrastructure. It is Country and community, memory and story, ecology and science, healing and spirit. As a framework, it holds space for all of these — and for the many voices, perspectives and practices that Artlands brings together.

 THE LOCATION  
Artlands last gathered in Queensland in 2006 for Pacific Edge, a celebration of contemporary art from coastal Queensland, held in Mackay. To mark 20 years, Artlands 2026 will convene on Kabi Kabi Country in South East Queensland.

"Wunya ngulum" — "Welcome, everyone" 

The Sunshine Coast is a place of remarkable natural distinction — the only location in the world where three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves sit side by side. The Sunshine Coast Biosphere sits just south of the existing Noosa and Great Sandy Biosphere Reserves, forming a corridor that stretches from the Glass House Mountains in the south, along more than 100km of pristine coastline, north to Tin Can Bay.

 THE VENUE  
Twin Waters sits where the Maroochy River meets the ocean at Mudjimba Beach. We will gather here for three days across 36 hectares of bushland and lagoon, with all event spaces, accommodation and catering onsite.

Getting there

• Sunshine Coast Airport is five kilometres from the venue 
• Brisbane Airport is approximately one hour by car 
• Car or shuttle bus to the venue

 HOW TO ATTEND  
Attendance at Artlands 2026 is by invitation through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.

There are no open registrations. There are two attendance streams:

 CATERING  
Catering provided as follows: 
• Wednesday 23: Afternoon tea and dinner 
• Thursday 24: Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner 
• Friday 25: Morning tea and lunch 
Note: Breakfast is not included but is available onsite at the venue.

 TIMELINE  

All applications are to be submitted online using the SmartyGrants system. 

● Click here: https://regionalarts.smartygrants.com.au/Artlands2026 

● Deadline: 5.00pm AEST Thursday 14 May 2026 

For more information: https://regionalarts.com.au/programs/artlands/artlands26

Artlands 2026 is supported by the Regional Arts Fund and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation