In 2026 The Unconformity is offering three artists the opportunity to be employed by the organisation in the role of “artist.”
Recruited through a process of open call and curation, Lutruwita/Tasmania-based artists are invited to submit ideas for projects that propose bold, resourceful, and experimental artworks engaged with the West Coast. Artists from anywhere in the state are encouraged to apply.
Successful applicants will be offered an 18-month employment contract, working one day a week in the role of “artist” from May 2026. A gathering in Queenstown will welcome the team and mark the start of their creative process.
Their journey will culminate at The Unconformity 2027 festival, where each Ongoing Artist will share their vision as part of the program.
Applications are now closed.
This activity is supported by Events Tasmania and Arts Tasmania.
Interested applicants are encouraged to read the Ongoing Artist Position Description and Candidate Pack, and to contact The Unconformity with any questions.
An information session will run as part of The Unconformity’s Open Hall program on Thursday 19 March at 35 Cutten Street in Queenstown. This in person session will allow interested applicants based on the West Coast to hear more about and speak directly to representatives of The Unconformity about these roles.
Those unable to attend this session can request further information - including an online, phone or in person consultation - by contacting Jacqueline Dortmans at jobs@theunconformity.com.au or 0439 096 939.
Please contact us with any questions or access requests you may have.
What is an Ongoing Artist?
The role of Ongoing Artist has been established as a reimagined creative development opportunity with The Unconformity in Tasmania, offering artists an employment contract and related benefits.
Three individual artists will be employed for one day per week over a period of 18 months, with the core focus of their work being to develop a bold, resourceful and experimental art project, culminating in a public presentation as part of The Unconformity festival program in 2027.
Artists will be contracted to The Unconformity as employees, with all related employment benefits and entitlements (including leave and superannuation).
Ongoing Artists will be expected to work with the Artistic Director and The Unconformity’s programming team on agreed milestones to assist in developing their project from concept to delivery, and to realise their artistic vision. Projects will be led by the Ongoing Artist, supported by The Unconformity’s Artistic Director and programming team.
Interested applicants are encouraged to read the Position Description, Candidate Pack and Frequently Asked Questions related to this role, and to contact The Unconformity with any questions.
Who can apply?
These roles are based in Lutruwita/Tasmania. Artists residing anywhere in Lutruwita/Tasmania working in any medium and at any stage of their career are invited to apply. Applications from Palawa candidates and residents of the Tasmanian West Coast are encouraged.
I live interstate. Am I still able to apply?
While there is some flexibility for hybrid or remote working, these positions are based in Lutruwita/Tasmania and are not able to support interstate travel or relocation costs.
Applications are welcome from all candidates able to demonstrate competency against the Selection Criteria.
Can I apply as a collective or collaborative team?
Three individual Ongoing Artists will be offered employment through this recruitment process. While the Unconformity will employ one individual to each role, collaborative projects that connect with other individuals or collectives are welcome.
Am I eligible for this employment opportunity as an independent contractor?
Yes. Employment terms, including an appropriate employment contract and agreed payment arrangements, will be negotiated with the successful applicants as part of the contracting process.
What is the salary for this role?
Ongoing Artists will be employed for one day per week (or 7.6 hours) for 18 months, between May 2026 and October 2027. The Ongoing Artist annual salary is $60,000 pro rata at 0.2 FTE (or $12,000 per annum). Three Ongoing Artists will be appointed to these fixed-term, part-time roles with The Unconformity.
Ongoing Artists will receive employment benefits appropriate to the role, including annual leave entitlements and superannuation contributions (paid in accordance with Australia’s super guarantee at a rate of 12% of your before-tax income).
What other support will be available?
In addition to an annual salary, leave entitlements and superannuation, Ongoing Artists will receive a travel allowance, accommodation and per diems (to cover meals and incidentals) for any agreed travel or site visits, in accordance with The Unconformity’s Travel Policy.
Further support including tailored mentorship opportunities, production support and project resources will also be available.
Successful applicants will work with The Unconformity’s programming team on an agreed project plan that responds appropriately to the needs of the project and available resourcing.
Am I able to apply for extra funding to support my project?
The Unconformity’s Artistic Director and programming team will work closely with the Ongoing Artist on a project and presentation budget appropriate to the development timeline, artistic ambition and available resourcing for the project. This includes working with the Ongoing Artist to identify suitable opportunities for fundraising, resourcing and grant activities.
What artforms can be supported through these roles?
The Unconformity is a biennial multi-artform festival presenting new, experimental place-responsive works. Artforms featured in previous festivals and creative developments include sculpture, film, ceramics, creative writing, visual art, sound art, contemporary dance, music, games development, environmental and experiential art, photography, performance art, design, digital art, historical research and community-engaged practice. This program is designed to support experimental work, and we encourage you to consider what the experiment is you wish to conduct through your practice.
The Unconformity is not bound by any particular artform/s, and artists working in any medium and at any stage of their career are invited to apply.
Who will own the intellectual property (IP) in the work an Ongoing Artist creates with The Unconformity?
The Ongoing Artist will retain intellectual property rights in any artwork created while employed by The Unconformity, with a license granted to The Unconformity for presentation of the work and reproduction of the work via documentation. Logos, credit lines and acknowledgements will be required for any future iterations or remounts of the project. These requirements will be outlined in the Ongoing Artist’s employment contract.
What is expected of an Ongoing Artist?
The Ongoing Artist’s primary duties, working relationships and key deliverables are outlined in the Position Description.
Interested applicants are encouraged to read the Position Description and Candidate Pack related to this role, and to contact The Unconformity with any questions.
I have a home studio/office I would prefer to work from. Will this be okay?
This role is based in Lutruwita/Tasmania, working between The Unconformity’s offices in Nipaluna/Hobart and Queenstown, or from other sites as approved by the Artistic Director.
Employment terms, including flexible working arrangements, will be negotiated with the successful applicants as part of the on-boarding process.
Do I need to propose a festival outcome in my application?
You are not required to propose a festival outcome in your application, however applications will be assessed on their potential for a long-term creative development opportunity.
Through this recruitment process, The Unconformity is seeking to support artists to seed ideas at any stage of development, with the aim of working alongside the Ongoing Artist to help develop and put shape to those ideas, from early concept through to delivery and presentation.
Led by the Ongoing Artist, the Artistic Director and programming team will work with successful applicants to develop a festival outcome suitable to the development timeline, artistic ambition and available resourcing for the project.
What is expected of a ‘project premier’ as part of The Unconformity 2027?
The Unconformity is a biennial multi-artform festival presenting new, experimental place-responsive works, with the next festival scheduled for October 2027.
Artists will be supported to present their projects as part of The Unconformity’s festival program in October 2027. The presentation format will be developed with The Unconformity’s Artistic Director and programming team, to ensure the festival outcome is appropriate to the development timeline, artistic ambition and available resourcing for the project.
While The Unconformity welcomes ideas that involve other presentation partners, we reserve the right to premier work developed as part of an Ongoing Artist’s employment term.
How do I apply?
Instructions on how to apply are included in the Candidate Pack. Applications can be submitted in written or recorded form and should include the following:
- A one-page CV or biography
- A statement addressing the following questions:
- Who are you?
- Why is this opportunity meaningful to you?
- What will you do as an Ongoing Artist with The Unconformity?
- Creative support material (optional).
Interested applicants are encouraged to read the Position Description and Candidate Pack related to this role, and to contact The Unconformity with any questions.
How will my application be assessed?
Applications will be assessed against the Selection Criteria outlined in the Ongoing Artist Position Description.
Assessments will be conducted by a panel of assessors including The Unconformity’s Artistic Director and independent members of the local arts community with knowledge and expertise relevant to the Ongoing Artist employment opportunity.
How can I learn more about The Unconformity’s programming, curatorial style and audiences?
We encourage interested applicants to explore The Unconformity’s website - especially our Explorations, our 2025 festival website and showreel - and other organisational resources included in the Ongoing Artist Candidate Pack.
What if I need specific accommodations?
The Unconformity recognises the dynamic nature of creative work and supports flexible working arrangements that balance organisational needs with individual wellbeing. The Unconformity will work closely with the successful applicants to understand and respond to any employee needs as part of the on-boarding process.
Do I need public liability insurance to be eligible for this role?
Ongoing Artists will be employed by The Unconformity and will be covered by our insurance and workers compensation schemes.
When does employment commence?
Ideally employees will commence in May 2026. Employment terms, including start date, will be negotiated with successful applicants as part of the contracting process.
As an employee, Ongoing Artists will be expected to sign an employment contract, agree to The Unconformity’s Code of Conduct, Workplace Health and Safety and all workplace policies, as well as complete on-boarding processes.
