Bundanon’s purpose is to celebrate the importance of the arts and the Australian landscape in the lives of all Australians.

Gifted by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd in 1993, Bundanon is committed to the stewardship of its unique natural environment, historic heritage, and art collection. 

Bundanon's mission is to be a centre for creative arts and education, to support the development of arts practice across disciplines, and to enable public access to the arts and landscape.

Bundanon was generously gifted to the people of Australia in 1993 by renowned artist Arthur Boyd and his wife, Yvonne. Today, it stands as a living testament to their vision—a place where art, history and nature come together to inspire creativity, learning and connection.

Through dynamic exhibitions, live events, creative learning programs, artist residencies, and innovative environmental initiatives, Bundanon continues to uphold the Boyd’s extraordinary legacy—ensuring that creativity and culture remain at the heart of Australia’s future.

Since opening the Art Museum and Bridge for Creative Learning in 2022, Bundanon has grown audiences to 80,000 per annum who attend an offering of world-class art exhibitions, exciting live events, and diverse public programs, including talks, tours and bushwalks. Bundanon’s visitors include upwards of six thousand young people who attend creative learning programs and over 300 artists undertaking residencies at the Homestead site.  

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Rachel Kent, Bundanon was granted ongoing federal funding to future-proof the organisation. Growing philanthropic support has enabled the development of a diverse, engaging and commendable program, which is accessible to all people from all walks of life.

Creative learning programs are central to Bundanon’s mission with over 6000 engagements each year. Philanthropy plays a key role in increasing access to these programs for local children and young people, many of whom experience geographic and socio-educational disadvantage. Bundanon is proud to have significantly improved the equitability of these programs in recent years by alleviating costs and navigating transport issues for those who may not otherwise be able to access these special arts education programs. 

Looking to the future, Bundanon would stand as a global standard for how art, culture, and nature can coexist in a thriving, sustainable ecosystem. Bundanon would also be recognised internationally as a leading regional arts institution, a thriving hub for artists and thinkers, and a destination where visitors of all backgrounds come to be inspired by world-class exhibitions, live events, and creative learning programs.

Environmental sustainability would remain at the core of Bundanon’s operations, ensuring that its 1,000-hectare site is protected and flourishing, with restored bushland, thriving biodiversity, and innovative environmental initiatives leading the way for arts institutions worldwide. 

The Artist in Residence program—already Australia’s largest—would have expanded to become one of the most prestigious in the Asia Pacific, drawing artists from every discipline to collaborate, experiment, and respond to Bundanon’s unique setting. 

On a local level, the Shoalhaven region would have an even deeper connection to Bundanon, with strong regional visitation, engagement, and employment opportunities, making it a vital economic and cultural driver for the area.

Through this success, Bundanon would continue to honour Arthur and Yvonne Boyd’s vision, standing as a place where creativity, culture, and nature come together—shaping ideas, inspiring generations, and leaving a lasting impact on Australia and beyond.

The Coolaroo Foundation has enabled the development, launch, and multi-year delivery of an important new program at Bundanon called In This Place (ITP). This program has been significant for reinvigorating relationships with local high schools and creating a new, unique multidisciplinary suite of learning experiences that encourages learners to consider Bundanon through the lenses of Indigenous knowledge, geography, science, creative writing, history, creative and performing arts, and visual art. 

In 2024, its first year of delivery, ITP achieved 399 engagements from four local high schools, across 20 day trips. Insights from 2024 student evaluation activities revealed they enjoyed working together with friends to reach new understandings of Bundanon, its landscapes, and its histories. After this successful first year, ITP will be delivered again in 2025 and 2026. The development and three-year delivery of this place-based learning program for local schools would not be possible without Coolaroo’s generous support.

1. Increase Bundanon’s Overall Visitation
   Expanding our audience is a critical next step in ensuring Bundanon’s long-term sustainability. By refining our visitor experience, enhancing accessibility, and strengthening partnerships with regional and international tourism and cultural networks, we aim to attract new and returning audiences from across Australia and beyond.

2. Support Greater Diversity in the Artists in Residence Program
   Bundanon is committed to fostering a more inclusive creative community by actively encouraging and supporting applications from First Nations artists, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) practitioners, and creatives who identify as Disabled. Through targeted outreach, tailored support structures, and meaningful engagement, we aim to ensure that our Artist in Residence program continues to reflect and amplify a broad spectrum of voices and perspectives.

3. Develop a Learning Outreach Program (2024-2025)
   Recognising the transformative power of arts education, Bundanon is launching a Learning Outreach Program to expand access to its creative learning initiatives for regional and national audiences. This initiative will share Bundanon’s unique arts and environmental programs beyond our site and into schools and cultural spaces, and regional centres across the country.