Image: Emma Jensen.
The Yarra Youth Services’ Artist in Residence (AIR) program is an opportunity for emerging artists aged 20 to 25 years to develop their studio practice, build workshop facilitation experience, and collaborate with fellow AIRs, and engage in creative conversations with peers and mentors. This residency is ideal for emerging artists who are looking to professionalise their arts practice, gain experience working with young people, and be part of a creative community.
Successful candidates will engage in a shared 12-month residency from January to December 2024 in the studio space at Yarra Youth Services in Fitzroy, free of charge. The studio space accommodates up to 4 artists, depending on their practice.
In return for studio space, artists will develop and deliver a term of Open Studios arts program (9-10 2 hour workshops), providing artistic support and guidance to young people ages 12-25 years old. It is expected that that this facilitation is delivered for free and used as a platform to build artist’s facilitation and workshop experience. The Artist in Residence will receive support and mentorship from the Youth Arts Officers to plan and facilitate the Open Studios workshops. Once the term facilitation is completed on a voluntary basis, the Youth Arts Officers will work with the Artist in Residence to identify and connect them with relevant paid opportunities.
AIRs will receive relevant support and training where necessary for developing and delivering these workshops.
Yarra Youth Services will also work with the Artist in Residence towards developing a tailored plan that will provide each artist with a blueprint of goal setting for the year. Youth Arts Officers will work with the Artist in Residence towards securing exhibiting and other creative and professional development opportunities during their residency. Through the Artists in Residences program, previous AIRs have exhibited at West Space, Gertrude Street Projection Festival, Seventh Gallery, and have facilitated arts workshops at local schools.
AIR OBJECTIVES
The Artist in Residence program provides emerging artists with a connection to the City of Yarra with a free studio space to continue developing their artistic practice in return for the opportunity to contribute to the community through creative community engagement and collaboration. A key outcome for the residency is an annual group exhibition, and connection to organisations and branches of council that can support your initiatives.
The studio space is an open and shared working environment.
What we’re looking for:
- Demonstrated commitment to your arts practice.
- Able to work independently as well as collaboratively, respectfully use a shared space, and be an active part of the youth centre community.
- A strong relational and/or community-focused practice is ideal but not a pre-requisite. You will be working in an environment that is collaborative, collective and is linked closely to the diverse communities that Yarra Youth Services works with more broadly.
OUTCOMES FOR ARTISTS
- Free studio space, including desk, use of wifi, office printing, and access to digital media lab (including use of Adobe Suite, Ableton, and projectors), and screenprint-making equipment.
- Opportunities for collaborations with peers and artists with diverse practices.
- Connection to City of Yarra-based arts programs, organisations, and communities, including local galleries and library services.
- Experience and support developing and delivering community-centred programming for young people (ages 12-25)
- One-on-one goal setting sessions from Youth Arts Officers and tailored professional development opportunities.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST REQUIREMENTS
Application process
To apply, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) that includes an overview of your artistic practice, ideas of how you want to engage with young people, artist CV, and a portfolio of your work.
Alternatively, you may respond in a video (up to 5 minutes), or a creative essay (visual, written, comic…It’s up to you). Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising of Youth Arts Officers, former Artists In Residence and Yarra City Council staff.
We strongly encourage you to talk to one of the Youth Arts Officers before you submit an application.
As part of the EOI process, Yarra Youth Services Arts Officers Chiara Grassia and Chris Parkinson will hold a session to support you to realise your application and answer any further questions regarding the residency. Potential applicants are welcome to drop by Yarra Youth Services in Fitzroy on Tuesdays from 11am-3pm to meet with Chiara and Chris, tour the studio space, and discuss their application.
All applicants will need to provide proof of a current Working with Children’s Check. Please note that a current Working with Children’s Check is required for the residency. If you do not currently have one, please note that your successful engagement will depend upon your commitment to having one completed – the Youth Arts Officers can help you with this application.
Submissions will be open from Tuesday 10 October until 11pm on Monday 20 November Smartygrants.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission by early December 2023.
For more information please contact:
Chiara Grassia
Youth Arts Development Officer
Email: chiara.grassia@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9426 1544 Mobile: 0418 178 446