boorda yeyi, meaning ‘future now’ in the Whadjuk Noongar language of Boorloo (Perth), challenges artists to explore new storytelling tools to bring their artistic visions to life in thrilling new ways.

PICA is offering artists paid opportunities – including travel bursaries for Western Australian regional-based creatives – to reach and inspire audiences through VR, AR, MR, AI, motion-capture, robotics, projection-mapping and other new technologies.

Each year for the next three years, the boldly experimental boorda yeyi program will unite artists with technical collaborators to make transformative artworks that stretch boundaries and expand horizons.

boorda yeyi is a fully funded and expert-enabled pathway for artists to develop their practice. 

In 2025 boorda yeyi commences with PICA’s free weekend-long free Foundational Symposium on 22 and 23 March for WA artists to learn more about the program and its possibilities.

Applications are also now open for WA artists to participate in the second stage of boorda yeyi, a three-month Intensive Mentorship from May to July. 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. Leading the mentoring will be multidisciplinary artist Tom Mùller and mixed-reality narrative designer Natalie Mahrino, with a third mentor to be announced soon. Link to mentor biographies here.

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.

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.

boorda yeyi is designed for digitally curious artists from any discipline (dance, performance, film, visual art, music, etc) and artists already active in the immersive arts field. 

PICA Director/CEO Hannah Mathews says: ‘PICA is proud to be an arts incubator where we empower and champion artists to experiment, take risks and test the boundaries of what is possible. 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.

‘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.’

Mathews is one of the presenters at this month’s Foundational Symposium, which also features presentations and demonstrations by Kathryn Gledhill-Tucker (WA), JC (WA), Natalie Marinho (WA), Raewyn Hill (WA), Justin McArdle (WA), Byron J. Scullin (VIC), Steve Berrick (WA), Lucie Paterson (VIC), Helen Simondson (WA), Gemma Pepper (WA), Caitlin Lomax (WA), Kartini Ludwig (NSW), Sohan Ariel Hayes (WA) and kelli mcclusky (WA).

Find out more about boorda yeyi, here.
View the Foundational Symposium Event Program, here. 
EOI for Intensive Mentorship (Now Open), here. 
Link to FAQs, here. 
Dropbox link to images and bios here

The Ian Potter FoundationCEO Paul Conroy says: ‘The Ian Potter Foundation is proud to support PICA’s boorda yeyi program, an innovative blend of art, technology and education. Importantly, the program will share learnings and resources to build capacity in the visual arts sector.’

Feilman Foundation Board member Jan Stewart says: ‘The Feilman Foundation is pleased to support PICA’s ongoing commitment to broadening arts access and developing skills for artists. This bold new three-year collaborative program will empower artists to stretch their practice in fascinating new directions and help build creative capacity.’

Lotterywest CEO Colin Smith says: ‘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. Lotterywest is delighted to support a program that extends across Western Australia to immerse regional audiences in ways that enrich community well-being.’

The program’s title boorda yeyi has been developed in consultation with Whadjuk Elder, Dr Richard Walley OAM, and Whadjuk members of PICA’s Aboriginal Advisory Group. The program is guided by the boorda yeyi Advisory Group. Link to Advisory Group here.