21 Dec 2011

This content is tagged as Visual arts .

NEWS

New Sydney residency for Canterbury artists

A new residency for Canterbury-based professional visual artists to spend twelve weeks at the renowned Artspace Visual Arts Centre in Sydney was launched today in Christchurch.

The inaugural SCAPE Christchurch /Artspace Sydney residency will take place from August to November 2012.

Artspace is Australia’s leading international residency-based contemporary art centre. Housed in the thriving arts hub of The Gunnery complex in Sydney, its residency programme supports artists to create new work that defines the present and proposes future possibilites for contemporary art.

"The SCAPE Christchurch Biennial of Art in Public Space is constantly looking for chances to develop new opportunities for Christchurch artists," says the Director of SCAPE, Deborah McCormick.

"SCAPE has a long-term commitment to installing art by Christchurch artists in our city. As part of that brief we also provide opportunities for local artists to develop their skills and to be exposed to new creative stimulus. Creative New Zealand have recognised the extraordinary opportunity that Artspace are offering our artists, and have supported the project enthusiastically."

The recipient of the residency will be offered accommodation at the Artspace Visual Arts Centre and return flights to Sydney. In addition they will receive an artist-in-residence production budget, one return economy domestic airfare in Australia and up to three nights accommodation, and the opportunity to give a public presentation of their work via the Open Studio @ Artspace programme.

Blair French, Curator of the SCAPE Christchurch Biennial of Art in Public Space, and Executive Director of Artspace Sydney says "After spending much time in Christchurch, I have been inevitably struck by the level of damage and devastation in the city. The lives and working practices of many artists have been seriously disrupted by the earthquakes. We are thrilled to provide a Christchurch artist with a welcome space for research and development."

Potential applicants can visit the SCAPE website to read and download further information at http://www.scapebiennial.org.nz/residency. Applications close on Friday 24 February 2012.