International Artists residency opportunities in Tasmania

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS

The 'International Artists' residency program offers low cost residencies for an individual artist working in any art form who resides outside of Australia to engage with the Tasmanian community and develop their creative work in response to place within Tasmania. 

Applicants can choose to undertake a residency at one of 6 very different locations; within national parks, heritage listed sites or in a friendly community.

These residencies epitomise the feeling of the wild Tasmanian landscape and provide an insight into Tasmania’s rich history and stories of the past, giving artists on location the opportunity to explore the many contrasting environments of Tasmania as well as meet local artists and the community.


Artists receive assistance towards the cost of airfares and a rental allowance whilst undertaking the residency.  International Artists residencies are 6 weeks duration, however this period may be extended upon negotiation with Arts Tasmania.  

Each of the 6 locations offers a very different experience:
1. Lake St Clair National Park is a beautiful yet very isolated location in the middle of Tasmania within a very small community. The area around Lake St Clair is famous for its rugged mountain peaks and icy lakes, its wild forests and alpine moorlands. The shores of Lake St Clair are rich with wildlife including Tasmanian devils, the Bennetts wallaby and the smaller, more timid Tasmanian pademelon. Site Manager: Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. Accommodation and studio space are in the Old Ranger's Hut beside the lake.


2. Mole Creek, Karst National Park is suited to an artist who is comfortable with living in a self-contained and isolated environment close to either King Solomons’ or Marakoopa caves.  King Solomon's Cave is a beautiful large limestone cave. There are excellent displays of flowstone, stalactites, straw stalactites, stalagmites, columns and shawls, and a profusion of calcite crystals. 
Marakoopa Cave is much larger than King Solomon's Cave. The cave is spacious and has a good display of flowstone, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, shawls and calcite crystals. Marakoopa Cave has two streams running through it and a large glow worm display, looking like stars on a very clear night. There are two locations available for accommodation, both located near the entrance of the caves. Site Manager: Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania


3. King Island sits within the community and encourages some community engagement with the potential of a public outcome.  King Island is renowned throughout the world for its premium dairy, beef and seafood products. It is an island with more known shipwrecks than any other part of Australia, stunning coastal landscapes, nearly 80 species of birds and a bull kelp industry. The people of the island are welcoming and friendly. The residency is located in the island's main centre, Currie. This residency can be taken at any time of the year. Site Manager: King Island Council


4. Port Arthur Historic Site is situated on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania’s south east, and is the State’s premier tourist heritage destination. A residency at Port Arthur is suited to an artist who is also willing to engage with the local community. The Port Arthur Historic Site sits tranquil among 40 hectares of English oaks and magnificent gardens featuring numerous stable ruins and restored buildings from the convict era. Close by is the magnificent Tasman National Park with some of the best coastal scenery and pristine beaches in Tasmania. Residency accommodation is located within the Port Arthur Historic site. Site Manager: Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority


5. Whereas the Kings Bridge Gorge Cottage residency is situated in the middle of Launceston city. A resident artist must be able to demonstrate in their application a relationship between their work and the Cataract Gorge Reserve within which the cottage is located. Perched at the mouth of the Gorge, this landmark cottage has National Trust heritage listing and is carefully maintained. Only artists whose practice will not impact on the building will be considered. This residency can be taken at any time of the year. Site Manager: Launceston City Council


6. The Writers Cottage is located in an historic building (circa 1840) in the heart of the arts and restaurant precinct in Hobart, the State's capital city, overlooking Salamanca Arts Centre and Salamanca Place. The cottage was a bequest to literary community of Tasmania and has a long and cherished history. The work and comments of many famous writers can be found on the shelves and in the visitors' books, and it has been home of the Tasmanian Writers' Centre Residency program since 2000. This residency is for writers only. It comes under the careful management of Salamanca Arts Centre ensuring the cottage continues to house visiting artists year-round. Site Manager: Salamanca Arts Centre. Enquiries to: The Tasmanian Writers' Centre
Please refer to the specific information sheet on each location available from the Arts Tasmania website.


The ‘International Artists’ program, commenced in 2006, and has been highly sought after with applications received from all over the world including; USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, The Netherlands, Russia, the UK, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Estonia, Iran, Qatar, Brazil, South America, Latvia and Pakistan.


CLOSING DATE
The closing date for proposals to the Arts Tasmania International Artists residency program is 1 September 2008 for residencies commencing in the calendar year 2009. Notification is posted in November 2008.   


MAKING A PROPOSAL
Two residencies are offered each year to artists who reside outside of Australia. Proposals should follow the steps outlined below before submitting:


1. Read the information sheets specific to each residency location; 
2. Read all the information contained below, including the Criteria for Assessment and complete the ‘Proposal Requirements’ and ‘Other Requirements’ sections (Please note that you do not need to complete an Arts Tasmania application form); and,
3. Mail or email your proposal to Arts Tasmania before the closing date.


Help With Your Application
All applicants are encouraged to seek the advice of Arts Tasmania's Program Officers, to ensure their application meets the guidelines and is as competitive as possible. Call the Arts Tasmania office on +61 3 6233 7308 or email: arts.tasmania@art.tas.gov.au to contact a Program Officer.


CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT
Your proposal will be rated by the assessment panel against the following criteria:
· Creative, innovative and professional excellence of the project and its outcomes;
· Pertinence of the project to the artist’s professional development; 
· The project’s potential to invigorate Tasmanian arts. 


PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Please provide the following:
· Your full name
· Postal and street address 
· Telephone number 
· Email and website
· An image of you
· Indicate the location for residency (please view the information about each residency location on the Arts Tasmania website) 
· Preferred dates (please note that residencies at Lake St Clair and Maria Island are only available from April until October, Port Arthur is not available in January or February)
· Art form and occupation (photographer, musician, writer, etc.)
· Name and contact details of two referees


OTHER REQUIREMENTS
On separate pages please include 1 copy of each of the following:
· A résumé, of no more than 2 pages, about your past arts experience and practice
· A proposal for a residency, of no more than 2 pages, indicating the following:


1. An outline of your intended residency, addressing your reasons for wanting to undertake a
residency at the specific location (please view the information about each of the residency locations on Arts Tasmania website). 


2. How you will respond to the specific place in which you would like to undertake a residency and how you will engage with the community whilst or on completion of residency.


3. That you will in no way impact on the environment or accommodation and will show sensitivity and respect to the natural and cultural features of the location.


4. That you are prepared for the conditions that apply at each residency, including adequate clothing, transport, etc.


5. How you will financially support yourself during the residency (see below for costs for which you will be responsible).


· Examples of your artistic work .  


What You Need To Consider When Preparing Your Proposal:
Proposals will be assessed against the criteria for assessment and your ability to address your intentions for a residency as outlined above. Proposals should contain sufficient information to establish your professional standing and potential to benefit from a residency. 


The closing date for proposals is 1 September 2008. The Assessment Panel’s decision is final. You will be advised of the results in writing in November 2008.


Proposals are to be submitted to: Arts Tasmania, GPO Box 771, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia or emailed to: arts.tasmania@arts.tas.gov.au.


All residents must be medically fit and be aware that these residencies are in isolated locations. There is often minimal human contact at some locations.


Arts Tasmania will provide up $3,000 towards a return airfare from your home town to Tasmania and will cover the cost of the rental fee for a 6-week residency.  


All other arrangements and costs will be your responsibility including other travel costs associated with a residency; flight transfers, visas (if required), freight, vaccinations, travel insurance, etc., and once in Tasmania, food and living allowance, art materials, on-ground transport, telephone, etc.


Arts Tasmania encourages you to show your work or share your skills whilst in Tasmania and will assist you to make the necessary local contacts to achieve these goals. We can assist with contacting theatres, exhibitions, classrooms, etc., and can help find collaborators, musicians, students, actors and others to realise your project proposal. Residencies are six weeks in duration and are taken in one block amount of time. They are generally available for use from after Easter (around the end of April 2009) and must be finished before November 2009. Seasonally, this period includes the end of autumn, winter and the beginning of spring and is known for swift changes in weather patterns. Please check the information sheet about each location for availability and climate.


The assessment panel is made up of members of the Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board, Parks and Wildlife Tasmania, Launceston City Council, the Port Arthur Historic Site, King Island Council, Tasmanian Writers’ Centre and the University of Tasmania.


Further residency information can be obtained from
Arts Tasmania 
GPO Box 771, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001 
Telephone: +61 3 6233 7308
Facsimile: +61 3 6233 5555 
Web: www.arts.tas.gov.au
Email: arts.tasmania@arts.tas.gov.au