HomeGround Professional Development Program
Professional development program for emerging artists in Western Australia offering mentoring, solo exhibition, and career growth opportunities.
The Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) is calling for artists to apply for the next round of HomeGround, a professional development program designed specifically for emerging artists seeking to expand their skills and practice. This program is ideal for artists with potential who will benefit from working alongside curatorial staff within a professional gallery setting.
The HomeGround program provides emerging artists with an opportunity to develop their career in the creative sector while gaining exposure to new audiences. Eligible artists must reside within a 200-kilometre radius of Dubbo, NSW.
Successful applicants will receive comprehensive support including professional mentoring from the WPCC curator. The program culminates in a solo exhibition at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, providing artists with invaluable professional experience. Throughout the program, artists collaborate and work alongside the curator, experiencing all facets of the exhibition process including opening events with artist talks, studio visits, and various promotional activities.
Previous participant Clementine McIntosh (2025 HomeGround artist) praised the program, stating it was an amazing opportunity to progress her career from a regional standpoint. She highlighted how the program provides space for rural voices in contemporary art discourse within a professional institutional gallery setting—an opportunity otherwise difficult to obtain due to regional distance. McIntosh recommended the program to artists eager to take their exhibiting practice to the next level, noting it provides room for conceptual and studio experimentation with expert guidance.
The HomeGround program is sponsored by Wingewarra Dental and supported through the Dubbo Regional Council Cultural Plan, which demonstrates Council's commitment to supporting the development of a strong visual arts sector and regional artist growth.