In this residency program, I have gained an opportunity to engage with a new creative community, to be exposed to a contemporary practice of a historical image-making, to recontextualise my methods of art-making, and to experiment new works and new ideas. It was luxury to be given a free space and time to contemplate without a particular inquiry of outcomes. ATW is an inclusive and creative space to work in. Artist Siying Zhou, 2018
The Australian Tapestry Workshop Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program invites artists to immerse themselves in our unique studio environment. The ATW’smission is to ensure that this traditional art form and specialist creative skills are kept alive and thriving in Australia through active collaboration with contemporary artists.
The ATW Artist-in-Residence program provides artists with the opportunity to share studio space with master weavers and to create new work.
The program encourages the exchange of knowledge and skills between contemporary artists and ATW staff; provides artists with a platform for professional development and public engagement and fosters creative exchange and collaboration.
Artists working in any medium – not just the visual arts or textile-based practice – and at any stage of their career can undertake a residency and are encouraged to apply. They can work at the ATW from two to a maximum of eight weeks, full or part-time, from January – December 2019.
Artists will be given a working space at the ATW, reasonable use and access to ATW yarn and equipment, and will be paid to deliver a public talk with other artists in residence about their practice and residency experience.
There is no expected artistic output for the residency; it can be used as an experimental/research period. Artists will have the opportunity to exhibit at ATW the following year as part of the annual AIR exhibition.
Interstate and international artists are welcome to apply, and are encouraged to apply for the AIR Scholarship to support their residency. The AIR Scholarship, supported by the City of Port Phillip is open to international, interstate and regional Victorian artists to support accommodation costs when undertaking a residency at ATW. This scholarship provides up to $3000 of accommodation within the City of Port Phillip (covers approximately 3-4 weeks of a residency).
Applications are now open and close Monday 7 October at 5pm. To apply, visit www.austapestry.com.au
Australian Tapestry Workshop, 262–266 Park St, South Melbourne. Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 5pm. www.austapestry.com.au / 9699 7885.
