ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp

August 10, 2016

Creative arts high on the agenda in Bundanon Trust collaboration

A commitment to creative arts, environmental stewardship and developing the next generation of creative thinkers has been renewed by the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp (UOW), with the signing of a formal collaboration agreement with Bundanon Trust.

Nestled among 1,100 hectares of farmland on the banks of the Shoalhaven River, Bundanon Trust is a unique organisation, supporting arts practice across all disciplines through its residency, education, exhibition and performance programs.

An active partner of the Bundanon Trust since 2008, UOW recently committed funds to the organisation to consolidate the existing relationship for a further three years, until June 2019.

UOW Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, Professor Amanda Lawson, said the agreement supports the development of further academic endeavours between UOW Faculties and the Bundanon Trust.

“The Bundanon Trust is extraordinary in every way – its architecture, its fascinating origins, and the major impact it’s having on artistic and cultural development in Australia,” Professor Lawson said.

“We are proud to continue our long connection to Bundanon, which has seen creative development for our staff, internships and other opportunities, and stimulating dialogue and platforms for sharing our research all coming to fruition over the past decade or more.

“Bundanon Trust and UOW share a deep commitment to education and cultural enrichment.”

Bundanon Trust CEO Deborah Ely said the support received from UOW is truly invaluable.

“We are fortunate to have one of Australia’s leading academic institutions in our back yard. Even more fortunate is the UOW philosophy of innovation driven by research and practice which is so closely aligned to our own commitment to supporting the development of the arts and learning experiences from our base in the Shoalhaven.”

UOW is a major partner in Siteworks, an annual spring event held at Bundanon Trust that brings scientists, artists and community voices to share knowledge and ideas.

Based in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Associate Professor of Human Geography Michael Adams will be undertaking a ‘Writers in Residence’ program at Bundanon Trust in the coming months, building on his previous work on full-immersion methodologies with a unique focus on freediving.

“My work is broadly on the relationship between humans and nature, with the freedive work being focused on humans and oceans,” Associate Professor Adams said.

“Being at Bundanon will give me a place to work in where I am immersed in the natural and cultural environment of the Bundanon property.”

Bundanon Trust is open to the public every Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm. Siteworks 2016 is on Saturday 24 September, gates open at noon.

Further information on the Bundanon Trust can be found at