Beckons Longitude 131° Announces 2026 Dates for First Nations Artists-in-Residence Program with Ernabella Arts

Beckons' luxury outback camp Longitude 131° has announced the 2026 dates for its popular Artists-in-Residence program in partnership with the First Nations Anangu artists of Ernabella Arts in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. The program continues a longstanding partnership that connects guests with ancient living Anangu art and culture as part of its broader support for communities across Australia's Central Desert through multi-faceted working partnerships.

In 2026, artists from Ernabella Arts will travel from the APY Lands to stay at Longitude 131° for four special residencies, painting with views to World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa. Guests staying during the residency dates will have the opportunity to see the artists at work and watch the vibrant pieces take shape in the cool surrounds of the lodge's Dune House.

The 2026 residency dates are:

• April 20–23, 2026
• June 1–4, 2026
• August 24–27, 2026
• November 2–5, 2026.

The artists-in-residence experience is available to guests staying inhouse over the program dates, with no additional package or booking required. The program offers a rare and enriching opportunity to engage more deeply with the stories, artistic traditions and contemporary cultural expression of the region.

Beckons Chief Executive Officer Michael Crawford said he was delighted to confirm the 2026 dates for the popular First Nations artists-in-residence program at Longitude 131°, now in its sixth year.

Mr Crawford said the enduring collaboration with Ernabella Arts reflects Beckons' commitment to regenerative travel, creating experiences that not only immerse guests in destination and culture, but also help support local communities through genuine, mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships.

“The artists-in-residence program is a powerful expression of what travel can do at its best: foster connection, celebrate culture and contribute positively to place,” Mr Crawford said.

“We are very proud to continue working alongside Ernabella Arts and the First Nations communities of the broader Central Desert region, supporting opportunities for cultural exchange, artistic practice and community benefit in ways that are both considered and enduring,” he said.  

Longitude 131° holds a privileged, long-term working partnership with Ernabella Arts that extends well beyond the residency dates. The relationship includes artwork and ceramics commissions, funding support for arts mentorship and special touring opportunities that transport guests to the remote Ernabella Arts community to meet the artists and learn about their work. Works by the Ernabella artists are featured throughout the lodge, from the guest pavilions to the Dune House and Spa Kinara, and pieces are also available for purchase through the boutique.

Importantly, proceeds from artwork commissions and sales contribute to income for the broader Ernabella community, supporting sustainable economic opportunity and the preservation of culture for local residents. Since 2016, Longitude 131° has provided annual funding to support a dedicated mentor for the artists, a long-term vision and investment that has helped strengthen Ernabella Arts as a sustainable enterprise.

For guests, the residency program adds a vivid cultural dimension to the Longitude 131° experience, one that pairs extraordinary access to Australia's spiritual heart with a deeper appreciation of the people, stories and artistic traditions that make this landscape so significant.

For more information or to make a booking, visit longitude131.com.au or call reservations on +61 2 9918 4355.

About Beckons

Beckons is built around journeys of discovery for curious travelers seeking deeper connection to place, culture, and the natural world. Through a growing collection of lodges in some of the world's most rare and remarkable destinations, the brand is guided by a regenerative approach to luxury travel, one that goes beyond sustainability to create positive, lasting impact for landscapes, wildlife, and the communities who call these places home. The Beckons collection includes five award-winning properties in Australia, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, Longitude 131° at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Silky Oaks Lodge at the Daintree Rainforest, The Louise in the Barossa Valley, while across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand lies the century-young Huka Lodge in Taupō. In the Americas, journeys include Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Canada's Vancouver Island, and the wilds of Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia in Chile. For more information, please visit Beckons.com.