Moonland is The Unconformity’s year-round digital publishing space for seasonal releases of commissioned writing and visuals exploring thoughts, ideas, stories, research and realities of Western Lutruwita/Tasmania.
In 2025, Moonland will support six artists to produce new, short written works through the Moonland Retreat. Artists will be supported to attend a weekend retreat from 5–8 September 2025 in Queenstown where they will engage in sharing, research, practice, and encounters with support from three mentors. The cohort will reconvene for The Unconformity festival from 16–19 October, sharing their written responses across a program of panels and readings.
- Six artists will be supported to participate with representation from Western Lutruwita/Tasmania, broader Lutruwita/Tasmania, and nationally.
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists are encouraged to apply. Applications will be assessed by a panel that includes representation from the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
- Written work can be in the form of fiction, non-fiction, manifestos, essays, poetry, comics, journals, or scripts.
- Artists are expected to attend the 4-day retreat from 5–8 September 2025 to develop their works, and to give a reading at The Unconformity festival from 16–19 October 2025. This festival reading can take place in person or remotely.
- Final published written works are expected to be 500–1000 words in length.
- The Moonland Retreat will include a curated program of workshops, site-visits, and encounters to support artists to explore the region and develop their written work.
- Artists will be supported with an artist fee of $1625 (excluding GST), inclusive of retreat participation, a festival reading, and submission of short work for publication.
- The Unconformity will provide per diems, superannuation, accomodation, and travel costs for each participant.
- The Unconformity will work with an editorial panel to support copy editing prior to final publication of written works.
- 13 June: Expressions Of Interest open
- 2 July: Expressions Of Interest close
- Late July: Successful applicants notified
- 5–8 September: Moonland Retreat
- 8 September–19 October: Drafting period
- 16–19 October: The Unconformity festival readings
- November: Drafts submitted
- January 2026: Works published
The selection criteria for Moonland include the quality of an applicant's work, commitment to their practice, ability to interact positively with the West Coast community and understanding of how the retreat will be of benefit to the applicant’s practice.
Applicants can respond to the selection criteria in writing or through a video recording of no more than five minutes.
The required information includes:
- General applicant information (name, location, contact details etc.)
- Responses to the key questions:
- Who are you? (maximum 100 words or approximately 1 minute)
- What is your written practice? (maximum 200 words or approximately 2 minutes)
- Why is this opportunity meaningful to you? (maximum 200 words or approximately 2 minutes)
- Up to two pages of support material: Written work sample (maximum 500 words), and optional 1 page Curriculum Vitae
- Further information (200 words) – optional
Video responses will be assessed the same as written responses. The assessors will not consider the quality of the video, only the content. A video shot on a phone or similar is suitable, you do not need a professional filming set-up as long as the recording is audible.
Applicants must complete the entire online form and press the submit button. You are unable to stop and save your progress. To allow you to prepare offline, you can download a Word version of this form. Answers can then be copied and pasted into the online form.
The application deadline is 5pm AEST on Wednesday, 2 July 2025.
Applicants must complete the entire online form and press the submit button. You are unable to stop and save your progress. To allow you to prepare offline, you can download a Word version of this form. Answers can then be copied and pasted into the online form.
The application deadline is 5pm AEST on Wednesday, 2 July 2025.
Each applicant, whether individual or collaborating artists, can upload one .pdf of written work as artistic support material.
- Supply a single combined document of written support material and optional CV, maximum 2 pages
- Document must be .pdf, .doc files are not supported
- The maximum file size is 10MB
- If linking your document, provide cloud or online links to individual files, not folders
- Do not provide links to general webpages or social media accounts
- Other credits and passwords can be supplied within the online form
- Letters of support are not accepted as artistic support material
Providing support material that falls outside of these guidelines will rule the submission ineligible. It is recommended that you prepare and review support material before completing the application form.
The Unconformity appreciates that the online form may not be suitable for everyone. If you would like support in submitting your application in a way that works best for you and your requirements, please contact Executive Producer Maddie Korn at maddie@theunconformity.com.au.
The Unconformity will work with successful applicants to ensure that the retreat is accessible for them.
The Unconformity’s Moonland Retreat is open to individual artists only; collaborations are not eligible. Artists with written practices, at any stage of their career, are eligible to apply.
What type of applicants are eligible?
The residency is open to artists with written practices, at any stage of their career. Written work can be in the form of fiction, non-fiction, manifestos, essays, poetry, comics, journals, or scripts. Space is available for people living on the West Coast of Lutruwita/Tasmania, those elsewhere in the state, and across nation.
Can I apply with other artists as a collaboration?
This opportunity is for solo practice only.
How long will the retreat run for?
The retreat will run from 5–8 September, arriving in Queenstown on Friday 5 September and departing Monday 8 September. Artists are required to attend the whole retreat.
Can I split my attendance time?
It is required that all applicants are available to attend for the entire retreat.
Where will I stay?
Artists will stay in fully-furnished accommodation in Queenstown that is close to the town centre and within walking distance to shops, services and The Unconformity Hall. Artists based in Western Lutruwita/Tasmania will not be provided with accommodation for the Retreat.
Am I expected to deliver an artistic outcome?
The focus of the Moonland Retreat is to provide a development opportunity for publications for the Moonland online platform. We will work to support you towards this outcome.
The Unconformity retains final editorial discretion over whether work is published via Moonland. Final versions of approved work will be developed in collaboration with The Unconformity artistic team, the artist, and editorial contributors.
Can I bring my family?
Children, partners and family members are welcome to stay with artists, subject to accommodation availability, however pets will not be able to be accommodated. Travel costs will only be covered for the applicant artists, not additional family. Depending on the number of additional guests, extra costs may apply. Children, partners and family members will not be able to participate in the Retreat activities.
Will I be provided with a studio?
Artists will be hosted at The Unconformity’s headquarters, an old church in the centre of town that features an office, kitchen, fast internet connection and a large heated hall with a wooden floor that is suitable for movement.
What if I don’t drive?
The Unconformity will work with you to arrange transport options.
Is the residency appropriate for artists with accessibility requirements?
The Unconformity strives for inclusivity and to address all barriers to accessibility. The organisation will work with artists to ensure that all residency arrangements are suitable for them.
What do assessors focus on during assessment?
Applications will be assessed on the quality of the artistic practice, including clear articulation of ideas, themes and conceptual approaches, and how the residency will impact the artist, their practice and the West Coast community.
I live outside of Lutruwita/Tasmania, can I apply?
Yes. There are two spaces available to artists based elsewhere in Australia at the time of application.
What support will be provided in Queenstown during the residency?
The Moonland Retreat will feature a curated program of workshops, site visits, and encounters designed to support you in exploring the region and refining your written work.
Do I need a high-quality recording set-up to submit a video response?
Video responses will be assessed the same as written responses. The assessors will not consider the quality of the video; only the content will be evaluated. A video shot on a phone or similar device is suitable; you do not need a professional filming setup as long as the recording is audible.
Can I see examples of work published by The Unconformity?
See Moonland for other examples of published work.
