2022 Craft ACT Artist-in-residence program
Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre and ACT Parks & Conservation Service are pleased to once again present our acclaimed artist residency for contemporary craft practitioners and designers.
For 15 years, this residency has been a unique opportunity to research a nationally significant collection, spend time in the beautiful Namadgi National Park, and prepare new work for an exhibition a year later in the Craft ACT gallery.
Since 2006, artists have found, time and again, that their practice is profoundly altered by the experience of this residency which allows precious stillness and space for investigation, reflection and generation of new work.
Applications are now open for artists to participate in the 2022 program, which is presented in partnership with the National Library of Australia.
This promises to be a rich opportunity to explore the Library’s extensive map collection.
With over 1 million maps in the Library’s collection – including the beautiful stick chart from the Marshall Islands to Tindale’s iconic map of Aboriginal tribes, to the Griffins’ illustrated vision for Canberra – we believe this extraordinary collection will attract strong interest from the art, craft and design community.
The 2022 residency program will include:
- 2-week Research period at the National Library of Australia to explore connections and directions for the residency. The collection includes around 1 million maps, from early European charts to current mapping of Australia, in print and digital form.
- 3-week Residency at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage in Namadgi National Park.
- Artist-in-residence Open Day which will include artist talks, and artist-run workshops
- A group exhibition in 2023 of contemporary craft and design work created as a result of the residency, supported by a printed catalogue, commissioned essay and public programs
- An artist fee of $2000 to be shared among participating artists
Submissions close: midnight, Sunday 16 May 2021.
About Craft ACT
Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre is a not-for-profit membership-based organisation which supports artists, craft practitioners, designers and makers at every stage of their careers. We promote and celebrate excellence and innovation in contemporary craft in everything we do – in our retail space, exhibitions, events and membership program. We're proudly one of Australia’s longest continuous-running membership organisations in the visual arts and since 1971 have played a vital role in sustaining Australia’s high-quality studio practice and supporting craftspeople, designers and audiences.
Resulting work from the artist-in-residence program will be displayed in a group exhibition at Craft ACT the following year. This is one of the significant strengths of the Craft ACT residency: it includes an opportunity to exhibit new work emerging from the residency in a professional gallery space. A catalogue will be produced to support the exhibition, including a commissioned essay and professional photography.
About the National Library of Australia
Craft ACT is honoured to collaborate with the National Library of Australia as our 2022 research partner. Artists-in-residence will undertake research on the National Library’s extraordinary map collection. The National Library’s map collection contains over 1 million maps, including maps from early European charts to current mapping of Australia.
The Library holds maps not only for Australia, but for every country and ocean in the world - and also for all the planets. These maps include topographic maps (showing terrain features), or themes such as tourist information, roads, railways, geology, rainfall, soils, population density and more.
Recent research is revealing that many historical maps can also contain references to cultural landscape features relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Many features such as place names, wells, habitation sites, pathways, ceremonial sites, reserves, missions and camps are being revealed, proving a rich resource for artistic and community development projects, landscape management, family history research, and language strengthening.
About Namadgi National Park
The research period will be followed by the residency at Namadgi National Park, where the selected artists will have the use of a shared living and working space at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage thanks to the generous support of ACT Parks & Conservation. Artists will be asked to engage with the community and participate in a public program at an open day at the Cottage.
Declared a national park in 1984, Namadgi National Park has helped protect the biodiversity of the ACT, preserving diverse bird and animal species, plant life, and Aboriginal and European cultural heritage sites.
Namadgi has a rich heritage of human history:
- Aboriginal people were living in the region during the last ice-age 21,000 years ago
- Pastoralists settled in the upper valleys of the Cotter, Gudgenby, Orroral, Naas and Tidbinbilla rivers from the 1830s
- Timber extraction began in the Brindabellas in the 1930s
- Recreational skiing began in the Brindabella Range with the formation of the Canberra Alpine Club in 1934
- Space tracking stations operated at Honeysuckle Creek and in the Orroral Valley from the 1960s to the 1980s.
The park also plays an important ecological role:
- Namadgi's biodiversity is extensive with more than 700 species of plants, 222 species of vertebrate animals, 15 threatened species and over 40 rare or uncommon species recorded to date
- Namadgi protects Canberra's main water supply catchment and its mountain ranges form a distinctive backdrop to the city
- The western parts of the ACT and adjacent land in NSW have, historically, been the source of bushfires that move in an easterly direction towards Canberra. In 2003 the park was hit by major fires and fire management has become an increasingly important issue, with regular prescribed burns used to reduce fuel hazards and protect resources
- The Bendora Arboretum was established in 1940 and is the sole surviving arboretum in the Brindabella ranges. It was established to determine suitable softwood species for industry in the region and is now home to some of the best examples of mature conifer trees anywhere in the world.
Namadgi holds its own mapping history relating to surveying the ACT border following the decision to site the national capital in the Yass-Canberra area in 1908. Border markings were made by surveyors. Survey marks included timber posts, concrete-filled downpipes and other marks. Wherever possible, surveyors hand-chiselled engravings into a nearby tree (known as a reference tree) which referred to the mark, so that the mark could be found in future, or reinstated if lost. The Mouat Tree was engraved by surveyor Harry Mouat during the border work and was engraved by him and his team in autumn 1915. From deep in the southern ranges of Namadgi National Park the trunk of one of the surviving border marker reference trees has now been salvaged and is being conserved.
Please note that the site of the residency in Namadgi’s Gudgenby Valley is remote and isolated in the Australian bush and artists must be self-sufficient. The cottage is located approximately 50-60km from the nearest town centre, Tharwa, ACT.
Dates*
Research Period at National Library of Australia
Monday 7 March to Friday 18 March 2022
Residency Period at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage
Tuesday 19 April – Monday 9 May 2022
Open Day at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage
Saturday 7 May 2022
Extra Research Period at National Library of Australia (optional)
Monday 23 May to Friday 27 May 2022
Artist-in-residence group exhibition at Craft ACT
Thursday 30 March – Saturday 20 May 2023
*Timeline may be subject to change
Residency FAQs:
Who can apply?
The artist-in-residence expressions of interest are open to professional, practicing craft practitioners and designer-makers who have a demonstrated history of excellence in their practice. Applications are open to Craft ACT members and depending on quality and type of applications; two to four residency placements will be awarded.
Applicants are required to be Craft ACT members in order to submit a proposal. N.B. Previous participants in this Craft ACT program are not eligible to apply again for the residency. Participants in the Craft ACT Spring residency are welcome to apply.
What work can I produce for the exhibition?
This residency has been designed to allow craft practitioners and designer-makers to extend their artistic boundaries and to focus on the development of new work and ideas. The work created as a result of this residency should draw on their current craft and design practice.
Can I bring my partner/children/pets to the residency?
Due to national park safety procedures, visitors, including partners, children and friends of resident artists are not permitted to join them during the program at the residency sites. Namadgi National Park is a wildlife sanctuary and with that pets and other animals are not allowed into the National Park and Nature Reserve.
What facilities are at Namadgi?
Artists-in-residence have the use of a living and working space at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage in Namadgi National Park. The Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage is a fully furnished and powered site. Artists must have access to their own transport and provide their own food and linen.
Will I have the cottage to myself?
No, artists will share the living and working space at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage with other participating residency artists. Typically, two artists are selected to participate in the residency.
Who has participated in previous years’ residencies?
Previous Craft ACT artists-in-residence include:
2021: Harriet Schwarzrock and Valerie Kirk
2020: Jenni Kemarre Martiniello and Sharon Peoples
2019: Sean Booth, Michelle Hallinan, Rohan Nicol, Sabine Pagan and Megan Watson
2018: Simon Cottrell and Vicky Shukuroglou
2017: Marilou Chagnaud
2016: Cathy Franzi and Sione Maileseni
2015: Ruth Hingston and Jodie Hatcher
2014: Sally Blake, Annee Miron, Satoshi Fujinama
2013: Ceretha Skinner, Michael Brennan-Wood
2012: Christine Atkins, Marily Cintra, Marian Hosking, Antonia Aitken
2009: Kirstie Rea, Paull Mckee
2006: Joanne Searle, Daniel Maginity
Exhibition:
Craft ACT will arrange an exhibition of the work in the Craft ACT gallery from Thursday 30 March – Saturday 20 May 2023. A schedule of required deadlines including delivery of works, professional photography, artist statements will be provided to selected participants.
Exhibition FAQs:
What kind of support do you offer?
- Exhibition installation, demount and staffing for the duration of the exhibition
- Insurance and public liability at Craft ACT
- An opening function (including refreshments, an opening speaker and support staffing*) *subject to COVID-19 social distancing measures
- Publicity and media engagement via media release and direct contacts
- Commissioning an essay to foster deeper critical engagement with contemporary craft practice
- Coordination of sale of works and liaison with buyers
- Design and production of an exhibition room sheet
- Design and production of a printed and e-catalogue which is shared on social media and the Craft ACT website. A printed copy of the catalogue will be provided free of charge to participating artists.
- Marketing and promotion of the exhibition including: design and distribution of e-invitations, an active social media campaign, website listing and electronic direct marketing to media, industry and government organisations
What is the exhibitor responsible for?
- Transportation and transit insurance to and from the Gallery
- Installation assistance
- All costs relating to specific mounting requirements of the exhibition
- Supplying the work with suitable display accessories including stands, hanging materials or other aids necessary, by the installation date
- Delivery (12 weeks prior to opening) of promotional information including a current curriculum vitae, artist statement, high resolution images
- Exhibition works information (including captions and pricing) 2 weeks prior to the exhibition commencing
- Participation in associated public programs such as a floortalk
- Assisting in the promotion of the exhibition via social media and among your networks
Application process
All applications must include:
- A residency proposal which responds to the criteria below
- 6 to 10 high quality images indicative of each artist’s practice
- An up-to-date CV
All proposals must address the following four points:
- Why would you/the group like to undertake and what do you hope to achieve during:
- The residency in Namadgi National Park
- The research period at the National Library of Australia
- How will the residency enhance your current craft or design practice/s?
- How will this proposal engage with the community?
- What public workshop would you propose for the Open Day at Namadgi National Park
- what could you discuss at an exhibition floor talk
- Other ideas to engage with the public and/or other collaborators
- How will the residency build and enhance contemporary craft practice?
Applications will be assessed on the following points:
Your proposal:
- Originality (eg. research direction, ideas, workshops)
- Achievability (don’t plan a trip to the moon, unless you have very good funding)
- Community engagement (floor talks, workshops, etc)
- Curatorial narrative (eg. coherence exhibition statement, concept).
- Artistic excellence (eg. Demonstrating technical expertise).
- External recognition (eg. of your practice and its representation in collections, completed residencies, study both local and international)
- Value of the exhibition/residency/program to the artist’s practice.
Submissions close: Sunday 16 May 2021.
Apply now.
*Please note that Submittable program is written in US, and therefore the expiry date is reversed and written incorrectly. Submissions close 16 May 2021.
Applicants will be notified mid-June 2021 of the outcome.
The Fine Print - a must read
Contract
Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre requires each artist-in-residence to enter into a short-term contract with the Centre for the duration of the residency and the exhibition in 2023. The contract must be signed by both parties before the residency commences.
As part of the artist-in-residence program at Namadgi National Park, a Site Usage Agreement (SUA) between the artist and Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre is required. The artist is required to agree to and sign the SUA prior to commencement, as well as to attend an on-site induction provided by ACT Parks and Conservation Service. The SUA forms part of the residency Contract between Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre and the artist.
Costs and Subsidies
The artist-in-residence program is supported by Craft ACT and ACT Parks and Conservation. In 2022 the National Library of Australia will provide in-kind support for the research period.
Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre will provide a materials subsidy of $2,000 AUD divided between selected makers once the proposed works for the exhibition are approved by Craft ACT. Shared accommodation at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage is provided to artists-in-residence at no cost. Artists will cover all living and transport expenses for the duration of the residency. Craft ACT will provide a suitable amount of firewood for use during the residency. Artists are responsible for covering any further firewood supplies as needed.
The artist will agree to:
- Undertake the artist-in-residence program (residency, community engagement activities, research period and exhibition) for the purpose of creating new craft and design work based on their experience and expands on their current practice.
- Comply with all occupational, health and safety requirements when researching within National Library.
- Comply with all occupational, health and safety requirements when living and/or working within the National Park.
- Sign and return the Site Usage Agreement before commencing the residency and undertake an induction provided by ACT Parks and Conservation Service on commencement.
- Comply with the guidelines set out in the Craft ACT Induction and Guidelines Manual for Artists.
- Provide their own transport, food and linen. Namadgi National Park is a wildlife sanctuary. Pets and other animals are not allowed into the National Park and Nature Reserve. Due to national park safety procedures, visitors, including partners, children and friends of resident artists are not permitted to join during the program at the residency sites.
- Provide own access to WIFI if needed (No there is no reception at the cottage, residents will get limited access to a phone).
- Participate in community engagement activities through the residency’s public program.
- Make work (craft and design based) for the exhibition in 2023.
- Transportation of and transit insurance for exhibition work.
- Installation assistance, if applicable.
- All costs relating to specific mounting requirements of the exhibition.
- Supplying the work with suitable display accessories including stands, hanging materials or other aids necessary, by the installation date.
- Punctual delivery of promotional information - a current curriculum vitae, artist statement and high-resolution images.
- Supplying information about the exhibition works to the gallery prior to the exhibition commencing.
- Organising the public program and supporting the exhibition installation and demount
- Insurance and public liability for the exhibition in 2023.
- Exhibition support material.
- Publicity, promotion and advertising of the residency and exhibition in 2022/2023.
Sale of works during exhibition
The artist will make all work produced during the residency available for sale unless prior approval to the contrary has been given in writing by Craft ACT.
Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre applies a 35% commission on the selling price of all works sold during the exhibition period. If Australian, the artist will supply an ABN or Statement by a Supplier and GST status before the exhibition commences.
For further information, please contact:
Meagan Jones (residency coordinator) at meagan.jones@craftact.org.au
Madisyn Zabel (exhibition queries) at gallery@craftact.org.au
Both Meagan and Madisyn can be contacted on 02 6262 9333.