Page 967 - Week 03 - Thursday, 28 February 2013
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artists-in-residence fund supports the delivery of the ACT artists-in-residence policy which, as arts minister, I released last year. The policy outlines the vision of Canberra as a sought-after destination for artists and provides strategies for the ACT government to support artists-in-residence opportunities.
The goal is that the ACT be regarded nationally and internationally as home to a comprehensive program of highly regarded artist residencies. Some of the aims through this are to raise the profile of the ACT, making it a sought-after destination for artists, provide increased opportunities for artistic engagement across Canberra, provide learning, professional development and networking opportunities that inspire local artists and create and cultivate relationships with international, national and local arts and cultural organisations.
ArtsACT owns a number of arts facilities which have artist studios for residencies. These include the Canberra Glassworks, Gorman House Arts Centre, Strathnairn and Watson Arts Centre. A number of funded key arts organisations have also artist residencies in their programs, including the Canberra Glassworks, the Canberra Potters Society, Craft ACT, the Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Megalo Access Arts and Strathnairn Arts Association.
The artist-in-residence grants program closes on 29 March. I would encourage interested arts organisations and artists to apply for the program.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, could you please outline some of the programs that have already been supported through this funding initiative?
MS BURCH: The 2012 round of the arts residencies program supported seven residency projects. There was $5,000 for a heritage of Lanyon artist residency, which is a joint initiative of the ACT Museum and Gallery and the ACT Heritage Unit. There was an artist residencies program at the Canberra Contemporary Art Space, which is a partnership with the ANU School of Art. An Australian Indigenous artist and a visiting international artist undertook residencies in Namadgi national park. That was hosted by Craft ACT in partnership with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service.
A creative fellowships program at the University of New South Wales Canberra ADF campus in conjunction with the ACT Writers Centre hosted three creative writers. The Young Music Society brought international musicians to engage with Canberra musicians and students. Basketry ACT brought an international textile artist to live and work in Canberra.
A residency by an Irish visiting artist Aine Crowley, hosted by the Multicultural Women’s Advocacy group in partnership with ACT community cultural inclusion officers, is inspiring community arts projects. In fact this week, in the Chronicle, we saw a profile piece on one of the successful residencies. The story outlined Aine Crowley’s project in which she is “teaching a group of migrant and local women to explore and express their culture and experiences by creating and transforming intimate and everyday objects”. She is quoted as saying:
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