Conceived in Boorloo on Whadjuk Noongar boodja, 
boorda yeyi takes its title from the language of 
this place and means ‘future now’. This new immersive arts program invites artists to consider a broad range of cutting edge technologies 
in creating works that are expansive and transformative. Boldly experimental, 
boorda yeyi is a commitment 
to emergent technologies and the artists who use them to create new horizons.
PLATFORM 1
MARCH 2025
FOUNDATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
2-Day Foundational Symposium (Free)
An intensive weekend of presentations and demonstrations from technologists, theorists and artists working at the forefront of immersive art. This two-day introductory program offers those curious about immersive art an opportunity to familiarise themselves with a selection of emerging technologies while learning about inter-disciplinary collaboration, data ethics, audience engagement, funding avenues and forging new connections with others working in the field.
This program is free and open to Western Australian artists only. EOIs for this platform have closed. Travel bursaries will be available for a selection of artists living in regional or remote WA.
PLATFORM 2
MAY 2025
INTENSIVE MENTORSHIP
3-month Intensive Mentorship (Paid Participation)
This program matches artists with a team of developers, technologists and/or programmers to work collaboratively on the development of an immersive artwork prototype. Artists receive a participation fee and ongoing feedback from a selection of mentors to refine their concepts and execution. Participants will meet in person and online throughout the program to share their progress. At the conclusion of the program, an Open Studio event is held where artists can share their work with industry and the general public at PICA.
This program is open to Western Australian artists only, with EOIs to be announced in March. In addition to an artist fee, travel bursaries will be available for artists living in regional or remote WA.
PLATFORM 3
JULY 2025
IMMERSIVE ARTS COMMISSION
National Callout for Submissions
This national commission invites Australian artists to create major new immersive artworks that will be premiered as part of PICA’s annual Bunuru Season program before touring regional Western Australian in partnership with ART ON THE MOVE.
This program is open to all artists working across Australia, with applications opening in July 2025. It allows six months of development, with the inaugural commission to be showcased at PICA in February 2026.
PLATFORM 4
2026
REGIONAL TOURING
Tour, Training and Community Engagement
After its premier at PICA, the annual Immersive Arts Commission will embark on a tour across regional and remote Western Australia, bringing bespoke art experiences to communities and places. Toured through our partnership with ART ON THE MOVE, works will be accompanied by learning resources designed to enhance accessibility and foster deeper engagement with local audiences, artists and schools.
boorda yeyi
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE FOUNDATIONAL SYMPOSIUM WEEKEND!
Applications are now open for the first component of the program, the Foundational Symposium weekend, offering a unique opportunity for Western Australian creative practitioners to build essential skills in immersive arts technology.
PICA would like to thank our Founding Patron The Ian Potter Foundation, our Principal Patrons the Feilman Foundation and Lotterywest, and our Touring Partner ART ON THE MOVE.
The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is a non-profit, multi-arts organisation situated in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre on Whadjuk Noongar boodja in Western Australia. Since 1989, we have worked as a development and presenting organisation, delivering curated programs of exhibitions, contemporary dance, experimental theatre, new music and live art by Australian and international artists.
PICA is recognised as a leader at the intersection of art forms and champions artists who challenge boundaries. We provide studio, event, learning and access programs that forge connections between artists and audiences across cultures and geographies. We are committed to creating sustainable pathways for artists, working with them throughout their careers, remaining responsive to their changing needs and the evolving arts landscape.
Header video features: First Lights, 2021–, courtesy of the artists and Fremantle Biennale, video directed by Luna Laure; Rosa Barbra, Emanations, 2023; Lynette Wallworth, Collisions, 2016; Sarah Aiken, Make Your Life Count, 2024; David Haines and Joyce Hinterdig, Energies, 2017; Aphids, HOWL, 2018. Video compiled by Motel Picture Company.
Header images: Jacky Connolly, Hudson Valley Ruins, 2016, production still, image courtesy of the artist; Heather Dewey Hagborg and Chelsea E. Manning, Probably Chelsea, 2018, installation view, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Photo: Alessandro Bianchetti; XR Hackathon Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2022. Photo: Olivia Senior; Diana Baker Smith, Falling Towards Another (A Score for the Void), 2024. Image courtesy of the artist; pvi collective, tiny revolutions, 2019, installation view, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Photo: David Cox Media.
Footer images: David Haines and Joyce Hinterdig, Energies, 2017, installation view, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Photo: Alessandro Bianchetti; Yen Tzu Chang, Open Studio presentation, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, 2023. Photo by Tristan McKenzie.
