INTRODUCTIONWe invite interdisciplinary artists and practitioners from Indonesia and Australia to participate in a collaborative incubator exploring climate futures through experimental artistic practice and community engagement. The program is part of the Indonesia–Australia Creative Climate Futures initiative, supporting creative exchange between practitioners from both countries. Participants will develop new work connecting art, science, technology, and ecological knowledge. The incubator
is guided by the Dark Garden curatorial framework, which draws from three themes (Inter-Species Relations, Geographic Imaginaries, and Climate Justice ) and three ecological elements (Water, Earth, and Air), creating a space for experimentation and imagination around environmental futures through speculative and interdisciplinary approaches.
Selected participants will join a hybrid incubator program including workshops, mentorship, project development, an exhibition, and a public symposium
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PROGRAM FOCUS
Participant will develop a project focusing on one theme and one element:
Themes 1. Inter-Species Relations
Inter-species relations, environmental sensing, and communication between humans and nonhuman systems.
2. Geographic Imaginaries
Climate migration, environmental displacement, and spatial narratives connecting Indonesia and Australia.
3. Climate Justice
Indigenous knowledge, environmental sovereignty, disaster politics, and ecological responsibility.
Elements
1. Water
Fluid systems, hydrological cycles, oceans, rivers, coastal environments, and ecological transformation. Projects may investigate water ecologies, climate impacts, biological processes, or speculative water futures.
2. Earth
Materiality, land relations, geological materials, landscapes, forests, and ecological knowledge. Artists may work with soil, plants, biomaterials, natural pigments, mycelium, batik, or other material practices to explore environmental resilience, landscape transformation, and planetary relationships.
3. Air
Atmosphere, invisible systems, sound environments, planetary circulation, and climate processes. Projects may address air quality, atmospheric sensing, or speculative atmospheric futures.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Selected participants will engage in:
1. Workshops and collective discussions
2. Mentorship and coaching
3. Collaborative project development
4. Peer learning and knowledge exchange
5. Public exhibitions and symposium
SUPPORT
Selected participants will be supported through:
- Basic production support for developing new work or prototypes
- Artist remuneration for participation (basic honorarium only)
- Mentorship from artists, researchers, and ecological practitioners
- International networking opportunities
- Public presentation through exhibition and symposium
TIMELINE
EOI Due - Fri 10 April 2026
Full Application Due - Mon 20 April 2026
Selection Process: 20 – 25 April 2026
Announcement: 29 April 2026
Program Period: 29 June – 17 August 2026
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must:
1. Be based in Indonesia or Australia
2. We support applications from emerging artists and artists who face barriers to participation
3. Have interest in interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary practice
4. Demonstrate interest in climate, ecology, or environmental issues
5. Be willing to participate in hybrid activities
6. Commit to attending at least 80 percent of program sessions
7. Commit to genuine collaboration
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications will be evaluated based on:
1. Concept strength and alignment to climate futures
2. Interdisciplinary approach
3. Potential for community engagement
5. Alignment with curatorial framework
6. Commitment to collaboration and knowledge exchange
