Australian Network of Art & Technology + MAP mima Residency

Expression of Interest: ANAT + MAP mima Residency & Commission

Budget: $7,500
Applications due: 15 April 2026
Project delivery date: 28 August 2026, exhibition to open 25 September 2026
Open to: All creative individuals, groups, or companies

About the Opportunity

The Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) and the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima (MAP mima) are partnering to present a unique Residency and Commission opportunity for 2026. 

This initiative will bring together an artist and a scientist to collaboratively develop a new immersive artwork for MAP mima’s cutting-edge 360-degree projection Cube. The project offers space, time, and resources for deep experimentation, encouraging creative and scientific perspectives to merge in unexpected and transformative ways.

The Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) and Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) are co-sponsoring the commission.

MAP mima Immersive Artwork

Lake Macquarie City Council is seeking proposals for an immersive digital artwork responding to one or more of the following suggested themes: 

• The Sentient Machine: AI, Consciousness & Creativity

Investigating the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, human perception, and creativity.

• Bioelectric Worlds: The Science of Life’s Signals

Examining the unseen electrical and chemical signals that govern biological processes—from neural pathways in the brain to the electromagnetic fields of plants and animals.

• Sensorial Worlds: Beyond Human Perception

Looking at how technology extends human senses, from infrared and ultraviolet vision to sound frequencies beyond our hearing range.

Proposals may also explore themes independently chosen by the artist and scientist team.

MAP mima is a dynamic venue supporting diverse contemporary art practices. The primary exhibition space, ‘the Cube,’ is a 360-degree immersive projection environment with digital mapping capabilities on the walls and floor. The space can also transform into a hybrid stage with two lift-up walls that open to the surrounding park.

This EOI seeks artists and scientists willing to work with immersive projection, light, and sound to activate the Cube with a work inspired by the aforementioned themes - whether through scientific inquiry, cultural perspectives, storytelling, ecological thinking, or experimental approaches to technology and media.

Artists/Scientists can apply to:

• Create a new immersive work commissioned specifically for MAP mima

• Receive funds towards the development of new work, along with technical assistance/training

• Exhibit existing works adapted for the Cube space

Artists and scientists should submit details about their practice, their approach to immersive digital storytelling, and examples of previous work.

About ANAT

The Australian Network for Art in Technology (ANAT) is a national organisation that supports artists working at the intersection of art, science, and technology. Since its establishment in 1988, ANAT has been a leading advocate for experimental and interdisciplinary creative practice, fostering collaborations between artists, researchers, and technologists to explore new ways of thinking and making.

ANAT facilitates artist residencies, research opportunities, and commissions that encourage bold, innovative approaches to art and technology. By partnering with scientific institutions, universities, and industry leaders, ANAT creates opportunities for artists to engage with research in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, environmental science, and immersive media.

MAP mima is a state-of-the-art creative venue that serves as a platform for contemporary art installations, digital screenings, performances, and interactive experiences. The name mima (pronounced me’ma), an Awabakal word meaning ‘cause to stay’, reflects the venue’s intention to interweave ancient and emerging cultural narratives.

With advanced projection, sound, and lighting technologies, MAP mima provides a space for artists to experiment with immersive storytelling. The Cube’s unique architectural features allow for a fully enclosed digital experience or a hybrid stage open to the natural surroundings, making it an ideal setting for a celestial-themed artwork.

Site & Audience

MAP mima is located in Speers Point Park, the most visited public space in the Lake Macquarie region, with over 400,000 visitors annually. It connects with contemporary public artworks, the Warners Bay entertainment hub, and the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang. The venue acts as a cultural activator, presenting immersive digital experiences, theatre, music, and workshops.

Project Objectives

• Amplify voices and ideas

  • Provide a platform for artists and scientists to showcase original, experimental work that brings forward diverse perspectives and new ways of thinking.

  • Strengthen the visibility of cross-disciplinary collaboration between art, science, and technology in an immersive public context.

• Nourish creative practice

  • Support the development of ambitious new work through dedicated residency time, technical support, and financial investment.

  • Foster an environment where experimentation, risk-taking, and innovation can thrive.

• Adapt to shifting contexts

  • Encourage flexible and responsive approaches to artistic production that engage with ecological, cultural, and technological change.

  • Build resilience in artistic practice by equipping participants with the capacity to work in complex, interdisciplinary environments.

• Transcend conventional boundaries

  • Enable bold, immersive storytelling that pushes beyond traditional gallery or stage formats.

  • Inspire audiences by transforming MAP mima’s Cube into a space of encounter where art, science, and lived experience converge.

Budget

• $7,500 for the commission, covering artist fees, materials, and production costs. The MAP mima team will support installation.
• $1000 stipend during stay at the Lake House.
• The artwork will be permanently loaned to the Lake Macquarie City Council Collection.
• The artist/scientist will receive 50% payment upon concept approval and 50% upon installation.
• The artist/scientist must budget for all costs, including fees, insurances, and necessary equipment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a complete, fully functioning projection artwork for installation at MAP mima.

• Participate in project documentation (video/photography).

• Optional: Facilitate community workshops (separate fee and scope to be negotiated).

Selection Criteria

Selection will take place in two phases:

Phase 1 – Initial EOI Submission (Current Phase)

Artists must submit:

• Contact details

• A current CV (max. 2 pages)

• Examples of previous relevant work

• A brief concept statement (max. 500 words) outlining the proposed immersive artwork, its engagement with the Cube, and its experiential impact. Alternative submission formats (sketches, sample videos, storyboards) are welcome.

Selection considerations:

• Alignment with the project’s theme and objectives

• Artistic originality and innovation

• Technical feasibility and artist/scientist’s experience with immersive media

Phase 2 – Final Selection

Selected artists will be required to submit:

• Refined artistic statement

• Detailed project schedule and budget

• Proof of Public Liability Insurance (if applicable)

Eligibility

• Open to national and international artists and scientists (individuals or teams).

• Teams may include external fabricators or collaborators.

• Lake Macquarie City Council staff and MAP mima architecture team members are not eligible.

Key Dates

How to Apply

Applications close at midnight AEST on 15 April 2026.

For further inquiries or to submit your application, please contact:

David Rastas
Curator, MAP mima
Lake Macquarie City Council
P: 0447 297 335
E: drastas@lakemac.nsw.gov.au