Two artists and one curator in NSW and Victoria have been awarded residencies worth $11,250 each, as part of the Artist or Curator Residency (ACR) Program.

Five states and territories sent applications this year – Victoria, Western Australia, the Australia Capital Territory, Tasmania and New South Wales. The four successful projects epitomise innovative, contemporary visual arts practice from around the country. Each artist will contribute to the host gallery’s community with public and educational programs.

Michael Rolfe, CEO, M&G NSW commended the successful recipients and especially noted the Copyright Agency’s support of the funding program:

‘The ACR provides one of a kind support for regional galleries to host a visiting artist or curator, essential time for them to develop new work and forge valuable creative connections between artists. I want to commend the Copyright Agency for their vision in supporting this program, now in its 4th year which allows artists and curators to flourish while creating dynamic arts experiences for all.

Zoe Rodriguez, Cultural Fund Manager, Copyright Agency, talked about the community support established by the program:

‘The ACR program epitomises this priority, benefiting artists, curators, students, the general visiting public as well as the network of regional galleries nationwide. We are delighted to continue to support M&G to deliver this sought after program.’ 

2015 ARTIST OR CURATOR IN-RESIDENCE RECIPIENTS:

Murray Art Museum Albury, NSW

Sydney-based artist and winner of the 2012 Albury Art Prize, Deborah Kelly will work with the local community to develop a solo exhibition in Albury and will conduct workshops with local artists and students prior to and during the opening weeks of the exhibition.

Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, NSW

Be Seen conducted by artist Jason Wing with young local artists will produce artworks during a five-day workshop, part of a broader youth initiative entitled Be Seen, Be Heard. Using a curated process, the intention is to create a permanent street artwork focusing on the expression of young people of Goulburn.

TarraWarra Museum of Art, VIC

The residency project will support a new curatorial partnership between TarraWarra Museum of Art and independent curator Amelia Barikin to deliver a major survey exhibition of works by Pierre Huyghe in 2015.

The ACR Program is funded with the assistance of the Copyright Agency Limited’s Cultural Fund and managed by Museums and Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW).

From exhibitions exploring high finance to cutting-edge Aboriginal contemporary art, a diverse selection of curators has secured funding from the NSW Government through Arts NSW.

The 2015 Curatorial Support Initiative managed by Museums & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW) offers funding from a pool of $50,000. It connects regional public galleries with professional, external curators to develop ambitious and innovative projects.

Michael Rolfe, CEO, M&G NSW described the diversity of the funded projects as their key strengths:

‘NSW’s artists are pushing the boundaries exploring old and new forms. By supporting individual curators and galleries to develop projects that draw on cross cultural collaboration, the State continues to build a resilient and exhilarating arts sector.’

2015 CURATORIAL SUPPORT INITIATIVE RECIPIENTS: 

Murray Art Museum Albury, NSW
Curator, Jonathon Jones

Remembering Wiradjuri Country will be curated by Jonathan Jones, a Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi installation artist and curator who recently won The Kaldor Public Art Project’s Your Very Good Idea.

The exhibition aims to reclaim the works that depict Wiradjuri country, placing them within a traditional context. Wiradjuri nation is large, so the exhibition aims to highlight the breadth of the culture through the depiction of specific sites and locations.

Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, NSW
Curator, Abigail Moncrieff

GAGS is an exhibition that features Australian and international artists brought together by their use of humour in contemporary practice. With pranks, one-liners, and stunts these artists use the leveling power of comedy to acknowledge the need for everyone to laugh at the absurdity of existence. Curated by Abigail Moncrieff, the exhibition invites the audience to take part in a variety show within the gallery.

Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, NSW
Curator, Holly Williams

Drawing from contemporary art, local heritage and banking archives, pop culture, design interventions and alternative currencies, Creative Accounting will connect diverse local audiences with ideas around money and the economic system. 

Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW
Curator, Una Rey

The Namatjira Files is an exhibition bringing together the works of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists in a contemporary context. Featuring works from the Newcastle Art Gallery’s collection reframed by a selection of key works from public and private collections, the exhibition explores the diversity and continuity between cross-cultural art practices.

The Curatorial Support Initiative grant scheme is funded by the NSW Government through Arts NSW, and administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW.