The New England Regional Art Museum has launched a new program aimed at supporting emerging artists from across regional New South Wales, with a ten-month initiative designed to develop both creative practice and professional skills.
The program, New Horizons: Emerging Voices in Landscape, officially began in late March and will culminate in a major group exhibition at NERAM in October 2026.
Five artists have been selected to take part, including Rita Winiger and Peta Moore from Armidale, Jane Tonks from Orange, Jacqueline Scotcher from McLeans Ridges and Tania Hartigan from Wallabadah.
Central to the program is an intensive mentorship with acclaimed Australian painter Angus Nivison, whose career spans more than 50 years.
Participants began the program with a five-day intensive held at NERAM and Nivison’s studio in Walcha, which included masterclasses, outdoor painting sessions, guided discussions and one-on-one mentoring.
Across the year, the artists will continue to receive feedback and support through remote mentoring sessions, as well as professional development guidance from NERAM staff covering exhibition preparation, artist statements and career planning.
Participating artist Jacqueline Scotcher said the experience had already proven valuable.
“For me it’s as good as it gets… a week in beautiful Armidale learning from the best,” she said.
Nivison said the early stages of the program had been both intensive and rewarding.
“The first week was intense, but incredibly beneficial for the participants and for me, being surrounded by and part of a group with so much talent,” he said.
“We had rich discussions about creative process and the broader arts industry… Participants left with a stronger sense of how they might navigate their own practice and careers.”
NERAM Director Rachael Parsons said supporting regional artists is a key focus for the gallery.
“Championing regional artists is a critical part of NERAM’s work,” she said.
“New Horizons connects emerging practitioners with an artist of national standing, while nurturing the skills, dialogue and confidence needed to sustain creative careers.”
The program will conclude with a group exhibition presented alongside a retrospective of Nivison’s work, placing the emerging artists in dialogue with one of Australia’s most established painters.
The initiative is supported by the Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund, along with the Country Arts Support Program administered by Arts North West.
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