The Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) is calling for artists to apply for the next round of HomeGround, a professional development program for emerging artists.
The HomeGround program focuses on emerging artists who are wanting to expand their skills, have the potential to extend their practice and will benefit from the experience of working alongside curatorial staff within a professional gallery.
Eligible artists must live within a 200-kilometre radius of Dubbo.
"HomeGround is an opportunity for emerging artists to develop their career in the creative sector and gain exposure to new audiences," Dubbo Regional Council Arts and Culture Manager Jessica Moore said.
"Successful applicants will receive professional mentoring from our curator with the culmination of the program being a solo exhibition in the Western Plains Cultural Centre," Ms Moore said.
2025 HomeGround artist Clementine McIntosh said the HomeGround Program was an amazing opportunity to progress her career from a regional standpoint.
"I think rural voices are important in contemporary art discourses and the HomeGround program gave space to hear those voices within a professional institutional gallery; an opportunity which is otherwise hard to obtain through distance.
"I would recommend applying to the HomeGround Program if you are eager to take your exhibiting art practice to the next level. The program gives room to experiment conceptually and in the studio with amazing guidance," Ms McIntosh said.
Successful artists will collaborate and work alongside a curator experiencing all facets of the exhibition process including an opening with artist talk, studio visits and a range of promotional activities.
HomeGround is a professional development program sponsored by Wingewarra Dental. Through the Dubbo Regional Council Cultural Plan, Council is committed to supporting the development of a strong visual arts sector. HomeGround supports the growth of regional artists.
HomeGround applications open from 9 February 2026 and close 10 April 2026. For information and application forms visit www.westernplainsculutralcentre.org or contact Natasha Lunniss on 6801 4444.
