The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts has launched a new three-year arts program giving multidisciplinary artists in Western Australia the opportunity to work with digital technologies as a new medium.
The 'boorda yeyi' program encourages artists to use cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality (VR), extended reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, artificial intelligence (AI), motion-capture, projection-mapping and robotics to create immersive artworks.
Meaning ‘future now’ in the Whadjuk Noongar language of Boorloo, the program’s title has been developed in consultation with Whadjuk elder Richard Walley and Whadjuk members of PICA’s Aboriginal Advisory Group.
The fully funded pathway, made possible through assistance from Lotterywest, the Ian Potter Foundation and the Feilman Foundation, offers artists paid mentorships, commissions and intrastate travel bursaries to engage in the immersive art space.
PICA director and chief executive Hannah Mathews said the boorda yeyi program was a first-of-its kind in Australia, offering multiple entry points over the three years for artists to explore new ways of creative storytelling through digital tools.
“Thanks to our partners, boorda yeyi fills a strong demand to create sustainable pathways for artists wanting to work at the intersection of art and technology," she said.
PICA chief executive and director Hannah Mathews (R) and boorda yeyi program manager Lillian Silk (L). Photo: Tristan McKenzie
“We are seeking to build a bridge to provide opportunities and access for artists to work with these technologies. We want to create an opportunity for WA artists who want to skill up in this space and create this kind of work which will then go on to be shown in Australian contexts and elsewhere."
Ms Mathews said there was a huge push towards immersive and digital artworks internationally and that, in Australia, many state galleries and museums wanted to build dedicated digital galleries or immersive galleries.
"The challenge is that not many Australian artists are working in this space because they haven't got the training or the access to these technologies, which are constantly evolving," she said.
The pathway is open to digitally curious artists from any discipline, including visual art, film, dance, performance, music and other genres, and artists already active in the immersive arts field.
"Immersive art has a lot of potential and is of great interest to a lot of artists," Ms Mathews said.
"In building technical expertise over the next three years, we hope to drive long-term benefits for WA’s creative communities by expanding access, nurturing talent and fostering innovation.
"We are excited to see how these new mediums will provoke artists to communicate with audiences in incredible new ways."
She said PICA was proud to be an arts incubator that empowered and championed artists to experiment, take risks and test the boundaries of what was possible.
PICA's façade at the Perth Cultural Centre. Image: Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
With new technologies such as AI and VR touching our lives in many ways, Ms Mathews said artists could help make sense of it through a different lens.
"Artists can create immersive experiences that bring us into proximity with stories of the past and speculations of the future," she said.
"We also want to educate artists on the ethics and responsibilities and philosophical questions about working with these technologies."
The boorda yeyi program is made possible through the support of the three philanthropic bodies that have come on board, including Lotterywest, which is enabling the program to extend to the regions.
“Lotterywest is delighted to support a program that extends across WA to immerse regional audiences in ways that enrich community wellbeing," chief executive Colin Smith said.
“PICA’s boorda yeyi is an inspiring opportunity for artists and audiences to come together to experience an exciting new field of expression and connection."
Ian Potter Foundation chief executive Paul Conroy said the boorda yeyi program was an innovative blend of art, technology and education.
"Importantly, the program will share learnings and resources to build capacity in the visual arts sector," he said.
Feilman Foundation board member Jan Stewart said she was pleased the foundation could support the program.
"This bold new three-year collaborative program will empower artists to stretch their practice in fascinating new directions and help build creative capacity," she said.
The foundational symposium was held over the weekend of March 22 and 23, with 46 artists from across the state and 12 creative technicians.
Applications are now open for WA artists to participate in the second stage of boorda yeyi, a three-month intensive mentorship from May to July. Mentors for the next stage of boorda yeyi include Ballardong Noongar writer Timmah Ball, Tom Muller, and Natalie Marinho.
Successful artists will be mentored in teams with the technical expertise to turn their ideas into immersive artwork prototypes for presentation at WA Games Week in September.
In July, entries will open nationally for the $50,000 Immersive Arts Commission for artists to create an immersive work for world premiere at PICA in February 2026 before touring across WA in partnership with ART ON THE MOVE.
