Shoulder to Shoulder, 2023, And Then, Vic McEwan and the Pinnaroo Project. Photo: Vic McEwan
The CASE Incubator National Program is a paid, 12-month residency and professional development program for Australian socially engaged artists seeking to develop their practice, engage with their peers, create networking opportunities with diverse partners, and contribute back to the sector. It will run from October 2026 to September 2027.
Awarded to 8 mid-career, socially engaged artists, one from each state and territory in Australia, this program offers in-depth learning and mentorship from sector leaders, alongside peer-to-peer learning, network building and the support to deliver a small project or resource for the sector.
Each artist will receive:
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$3000 (ex. GST) artist fee + super contribution
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$4000 (inc. GST) to deliver a small project or resource for the sector.
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Travel, accommodation and per diems covered for two in-person residencies (to be held in Sydney)
Selected artists will need to commit to:
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Travel to Sydney for a 4 day residency from 27-30 Oct 2026
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Travel to Sydney for a 4 day residency in August 2027 (dates TBC)
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8 x 2 hour online learning and discussion workshops
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Delivering a small socially engaged art project or resource between November 2026 and September 2027, within the allocated budget
Eligibility Checklist:
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I am applying as a solo artist
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I have an active ABN
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I have public liability insurance or am willing to get this if needed
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I have delivered five or more socially engaged projects
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I am available to attend the in-person residency in Sydney 27-30 Oct 2026
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I can attend eight online meetings that are 2 hours in length
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I have capacity to devise and deliver a small socially engaged project with a budget of $4000 between November 2026 and August 2027
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I want to engage generously with a cohort of peers from across Australia to share, learn and talk about socially engaged practice
13 July 2026: Applications open
28 August 2026: Applications close
Mid-September 2026: Applicants notified
27 – 30 October 2026: In-person residency in Sydney
November 2026 – July 2027: 8 x 2hr online professional development sessions
November 2026 – September 2027: Devise and deliver socially engaged project
August 2027 (Dates TBC): In-person, four-day residency in Sydney
Key Dates
Applications open on Monday 13 July, and close at midnight Friday 28 August 2026.
Artists will be notified of the outcome of their application by mid-September 2026 for a 27 October 2026 start.
Eligibility Criteria:
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You are a mid-career socially engaged artist and can demonstrate you have led and delivered five or more socially engaged projects in any artform.
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You have questions about your socially engaged practice and a willingness to discuss these in a shared group environment while also having a generosity to listen to other selected artists’ questions and engage with them.
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You can work well in collaborative and group environments and be part of a curious cohort who are trying to understand their artistic practices more deeply.
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You have an ability to devise and deliver projects according to project timelines and budgets. The CASE Incubator National Program will finish in October 2027 and all creative projects will need to be concluded by September 2027. The $4000 budget is final and no more funds will be offered to selected artists.
To Apply:
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be asked to submit their application via an online form. If you have any additional questions, you can contact our Assistant Producer on email.
Kimberley Beattie
Assistant Producer at the Cad Factory
P: 0408 264 894
E: kimberley@cadfactory.com.au
The form will ask you to include:
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Name, pronouns, date of birth, contact information, ABN and public liability insurance details.
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A current CV.
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A small portfolio of recent work (up to 10 images, 2 pages of text, 5 mins of video or 3 links).
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Responses to 3 key questions.
Applications
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. The Cad Factory is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Minderoo Foundation.
