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Outer Space x Institute of American Indian Arts First Nations Exchange

Outer Space has received funding from Creative Australia's International Engagement Fund to deliver our first ever international program.

In 2026, we will travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico to launch a landmark partnership with the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), a major step in our evolution as a contemporary arts organisation. This initiative marks a bold new chapter and coincides with 10 years of Outer Space, a decade of creative growth and transformation.

The Outer Space x IAIA First Nations Exchange will bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and Native American artists for a powerful cross-cultural exchange focused on dialogue, research, and collaborative practice. Phase one begins in Santa Fe, with a reciprocal program to follow in Magandjin (Brisbane).

About OS

Outer Space is contemporary arts organisation that collaborates with emerging, early and mid-career artists and arts workers to present critically engaged, experimental practices in a supportive, professional environment. Since it was founded in 2016, Outer Space has fast become a leading platform in the australian visual arts sector, providing a range of opportunities and resources for the development of artists, writers, curators, arts workers and the communities around them.

Purpose

At Outer Space, our purpose for initiating the First Nations exchange with the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is to create a meaningful platform for Indigenous to Indigenous connection, led by and for artists. This exchange aims to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and Native American artists to foster cross cultural dialogue, support critical research, and encourage shared creative practice.

As a contemporary arts organisation based in Magandjin (Brisbane), we are committed to supporting Indigenous artists through opportunities that are collaborative, international, and artist centred. This exchange represents a significant opportunity to strengthen creative practice, cultural understanding, and global networks among First Nations artists.

Through this partnership, we seek to amplify Indigenous voices, facilitate reciprocal learning, and support the development of new work across diverse contexts and communities.

Eligibility

• Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist

• Be an emerging, early and mid-career artists (which am I?)

• Reside in Queensland and able to travel internationally

• Availability/capacity to travel to and from Magandjin (Brisbane) for travel to the United States

• Be available for both phases of the exchange. Successful applicants must commit to participating in:

  • The residency at IAIA in Santa Fe, New Mexico (March/April 2026)

  • The reciprocal residency hosted by Outer Space in Magandjin (Brisbane) at a later date (September/October 2026)

• Valid passport with a minimum expiry of 6 months from April 2026, or willingness to obtain a passport by April 2026.

• Be willing to engage in cross cultural dialogue and collaboration

• Successful applicants must provide a valid ABN number. This can be acquired once notified of the outcome, at no cost.

Successful applicant will receive:

• Funded International Travel and Accommodation

  • Participant will be fully supported to travel from Brisbane to Santa Fe, New Mexico (Phase 1), including return airfares, visa fees, food & accommodation, travel insurance, per diems and local transport.

• Residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)

  • Artists will take part in a residency program hosted by IAIA, with access to world-class facilities and engagement with IAIA’s artistic community.

• Residency at Outer Space

  • Artists will take part in a residency program hosted by Outer Space, engaging with the Magandjin (Brisbane) artistic community and surrounds.

• Professional Development and Networking

  • Opportunities to build international networks, engage with curators, institutions, and peers, and gain insight into different contexts for contemporary Indigenous art practice.

• Ongoing Support and Documentation

  • Artists will receive curatorial and organisational support throughout the exchange, as well as documentation of the process to support their practice and future opportunities.

• Public Outcomes and Showcasing Opportunities

  • The program may include public presentations, open studios, talks, or exhibitions to share work-in-progress or outcomes with local communities in both Santa Fe and Brisbane.

• $2,800 residency participation fee

• Digital promotion via Outer Space’s website, email list, and social media platforms

To apply, please provide the following:

• Artist Bio & Statement (max. 300 words)
  Introduce your practice (i.e. what drives your work, your key themes or methods, and what shapes your approach as an artist).

• Residency Proposal (max. 400 words)
  Outline what you’d like to explore during the exchange. Explain how this opportunity connects to your current practice and future goals.

• Statement of Reciprocity and Engagement (max. 200 words)
  Describe how you plan to engage with the host community or context. This might include ideas for future collaboration, dialogue, workshops, shared learnings within your own communities, or other forms of exchange.

• Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
  Highlight relevant exhibitions, projects, education, residencies, or collaborations.

• Support Material (up to 10 images, or 5 minutes of video/audio)
  Provide examples of recent work that best represent your practice. Include a short caption list with title, date, medium, and description where relevant.

Access needs: 

Please let us know if you would prefer to apply in a different format or if there is any barrier for you in the submission process. Get in touch with our Exhibitions Officer, Tay Haggarty to discuss alternative submission options by emailing exhibitions@outerspacebrisbane.org

Applications close 11.59pm on Monday 3 November 2025.