Artist in Residence
A First Nations Artist in Residence program involving live art, cultural engagement, and community participation.
Soul Reign’s Artist in Residence is a First Nations cultural art program delivered over multiple days within a school, organisation, or community setting.
Lead Artist Lyle Ah Sam works within the space as the artwork develops in public view. Conversation, questions, and participation unfold naturally alongside the process.
People encounter the practice as part of their day, returning to the artwork and engaging with the artist over time. Cultural learning happens through repeated contact, observation, and dialogue.
How the residency unfolds
A working painting area is set up within a shared space. Across the Artist in Residence program:
the artwork develops in public view
people approach gradually and at their own pace
informal yarning and conversation occur naturally
participants may observe, ask questions, or join creative activity
staff and students return repeatedly over the days
Artist in Residence is a First Nations cultural program where live art, conversation, and participation unfold over multiple days within a shared space. There is no expectation that participants already understand cultural knowledge or feel confident speaking. Engagement grows comfortably over time. The artwork becomes a gathering point for the community.
What participants experience
Participants engage in this First Nations Artist in Residence program in different ways:
quiet observation
conversation and questions
creative participation
returning visits across multiple days
For more information see details below or contact us today to receive an outline and discuss your organisation/school/company needs.
Residency formats
Soul Reign offers two forms of Artist in Residence, shaped to suit different environments while remaining grounded in the same cultural practice.
Community Residency
A First Nations Artist in Residence program suitable for schools, libraries, youth programs, and community organisations.
Lyle works within the space across several days, allowing relationships, confidence and cultural awareness to build naturally.
This format complements existing programs.
Typical duration:
• 2–5 days
• or integrated across a program period
Live Cultural Artist in Residence
A First Nations Artist in Residence offering for workplaces, conferences, organisations, and public events.
Lyle attends as a live cultural artist in residence and begins an artwork within the setting while the event or program is taking place. This is a cultural art practice unfolding within a shared environment.
Guests may observe, speak with the artist, or engage in informal yarning. The artwork often becomes a focal point and lasting memory of the event.
Following the residency, the artwork may be completed in studio and installed within the organisation.
Artwork custodianship
As part of the Artist in Residence program, artwork is held through a custodianship model rather than traditional sale.
For institutional and workplace residencies, the artwork is not sold outright. Instead, organisations host the artwork under a custodianship agreement.
This allows the organisation to display the work and share its story internally, while the artist retains authorship, copyright, and reproduction rights. The artwork may also be exhibited or published by the artist in the future.
This approach respects both the cultural significance of the work and its continuing life beyond the residency.
Suitable spaces:
Artist in Residence programs can operate within: schools, libraries, community centres, youth services, workplaces, conference or event venues. The space may be a hall, foyer, library area, meeting space, or other shared environment where people naturally pass through.
What we provide:
For each Artist in Residence program, Soul Reign provides all materials and setup. We work with the host beforehand to: select a suitable location, coordinate schedules, shape how groups will participate. No prior art experience is required for participants.
Outcomes:
Across the Artist in Residence program, participants experience:
increased confidence in asking questions
shared conversations and engagement
strengthened cultural awareness and connection
Enquiries
Each residency is shaped in discussion with the host organisation.
If you are considering an Artist in Residence, please contact us with:
• organisation or setting
• location
• approximate dates
• expected participants
→ Enquire about an Artist in Residence