The Unconformity has launched Ongoing Artists, an 18-month program offering three paid, part-time positions for artists based in Tasmania.

The Unconformity’s artistic director, Loren Kronemyer, told Tasmanian Times that “we are seeking artists to develop ideas that are bold, resourceful, and experimental”.

“We are interested in ideas that may not be possible in other creative contexts, ideas that are conscious of resources with ability to adapt in scale and scope, and ideas that are generous in their offering to collaborators, participants, and audiences.”

The Ongoing Artists program was created to invite artists to produce work with the full support of The Unconformity at a time when rising financial pressures are forcing many to abandon their practice or face an uncertain future.

Kronemyer said the program will create conditions where artists can sustain their practice “rather than facing constant pressure to seek financial support”.

“Speaking from my own personal experience, working independently as an artist is wonderful, but it also creates precarious situations that can hinder our best work,” she said.

“Through Ongoing Artists, artists can have access to things like paid leave, regular income, and a continuous point of connection.”

The program is open to artists at all stages of their careers. Applicants will be assessed against selection criteria, and those who are accepted will receive a mentorship budget along with expert curatorial, producing, marketing, and general support from The Unconformity team. Each artist’s work will premiere at The Unconformity festival in 2027.

Kronemyer hopes to extend Ongoing Artists into the future “if the experience is mutually valued by the artists, the organisation, and our community.”

“We believe this model can be replicated by other organisations,” she added.

“As an artist, this is the type of model I am always looking for, and I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to create it with the support of The Unconformity’s board and CEO, funders, partners and collaborators.”

Applications close at 11:59pm AEDT on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

Callum J. Jones is a passionate storyteller whose work has appeared in a range of publications, including Tasmanian Times, Quadrant, and the BAD Western Sydney anthologies. He lived in Western Sydney between 2022 and 2024 while working as a journalist for Professional Planner, a leading online publication for financial advisers. He now lives in Hobart, Tasmania, where he spends a lot of his time writing.