At PICA we recognise that we are situated within the unceded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to Elders past and present. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the importance of their care and continued connection to culture, community and Country.

Always was, always will be.

Galleries are closed today. Our exhibitions are always free.

Scott Elstermann

Studio Booster

Studio Booster

In 2026, Performing Lines WA have collaborated with PICA to present the Studio Booster Program, which provides time, space and funds for two artists or groups to ‘boost’ a creative idea or project. 

The Nibbled End of a Pencil is a new dance work by multi-award-winning choreographer and dancer Scott Elstermann. Blending sharp contemporary dance style with the iconic ligne claire cartoon aesthetic popularised by Hergé, the project explores a unique fusion of movement and visual storytelling. Elstermann will use the residency to develop early research and collaborate with local artists following selection for the prestigious ATLAS Choreographic Scholarship at ImPulsTanz. 

About the artist

Scott Elstermann is a multi-award-winning dancer and choreographer. Elstermann is the first Australian and youngest-ever international recipient of the prestigious Pina Bausch Fellowship for Dance & Choreography. Scott graduated as Dux of WAAPA, receiving the Palisade Award for ‘Most Outstanding Graduate’ and has since gone on to perform for the Merce Cunningham Trust (USA), Requardt & Rosenberg (UK), Lucy Guerin, Stephanie Lake, Shona Erskine and Brooke Leeder. 

Elstermann’s choreographic work has won numerous awards including ‘Outstanding New Work’ three-times and ‘Outstanding Choreography’ two-times at the Performing Arts WA Awards. He has also been nominated for an Australian Dance Award and Green Room Award. This success has led to commissions for the West Australian Opera, WA Youth Orchestra, Freeze Frame Opera, Breaksea, LINK Dance Company and WAAPA.  Internationally, Scott has choreographed for the famed Venice Biennale under the mentorship of Wayne McGregor and in 2026, he will take part in the renowned ATLAS Choreographic Scholarship program at ImPulsTanz in Vienna. 

Supporters

The Studio Boosters have been made possible through partnership between the PICA and Performing Lines WA as part of the 2026 Kolyang Program of Industry Development Initiatives, supported by the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries. Our studio program is supported by PICA’s Art Ambassadors.