Associate Artist

About us

The only State Government owned cultural institution located outside of Melbourne, Geelong Arts Centre is a leader, connector, and creator of extraordinary cultural experiences for local and global communities.

Geelong Arts Centre is the heart of the G21 creative precinct – a place that boldly offers insights through performance, space for public conversation, supports creative experimentation and content development, and is a venue to connect, meet as a community and share a passion for the arts and creativity. 

Driven by inspiring growth in activity, innovation and creatives, Geelong Arts Centre aims to amplify creative growth in a proud region already renowned for its artistic energy. 

About the role

Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine is inviting Victorian-based live performance artists to apply for our inaugural Associate Artist program.

The opportunity is a self-directed program of research and development for a new work supported by Geelong Arts Centre.

We are aiming this program at established professional artists who need the time, space and resources to investigate a new idea and bring it to life. Recognising the financial challenges faced by artists, we will be offering two Associate Artist positions each year.

We’re looking for applicants to identify why this support is critical to their practice and development and to outline why it is crucial for their new work to be made at this time. Selected Associate Artists will be important ambassadors for Geelong Arts Centre, will collaborate with the programming team in workshops, networking sessions, mentoring local emerging artists, as well as be committed to spending time across the year based in Geelong and contributing to the Geelong region’s cultural sector.

What the Associate Artist role offers

• The Associate Artist will be paid a fortnightly salary across 52 weeks to undertake research and development of a new work and to enhance their artistic practice with the aim to present a public showing at the conclusion of the contract term
• The role is 12-month fixed term in a part-time capacity at $64,832.56 pa, plus 11% superannuation (pro rata 0.4 FTE)
• Travel and accommodation support will be considered as part of the overall budget process with the Associate Artist
• A budget of $10,000 to be allocated by the Associate Artist towards mentors or collaborators to assist development of the new work – the Associate Artist will need to outline how each line of expenditure would expand their work prior to approval of its release
• A budget of $2,000 towards photography and videography to document and promote the Associate Artist’s project
• Administrative and curatorial support from Geelong Arts Centre to assist in planning the development period and the next steps following the conclusion of the program
• Invitations to Geelong Arts Centre curatorial programs and opening nights
• The Associate Artists will be required to run mutually agreed workshops for and mentoring of emerging creatives who are part of the annual Creative Engine program
• Access to Geelong Arts Centre rehearsal studios and Merge co-working space at mutually agreed times
• The opportunity to present the new work in a development showing format at Geelong Arts Centre at a mutually agreed time, including technical support
• Potential for further support from Geelong Arts Centre to commission new work

Who is eligible

• Artists currently based in Victoria
• Mid-career or mid-level artists, who can outline their work and experience in CV format and via providing examples of past work
• Artists who have a significant new work they wish to develop in the program
• Live performance artists whose practice is in theatre, dance, circus, comedy and/or cabaret

Role Expectations

In addition to developing their new work and their practice selected artists will have the following expectations and deliverables:

• Attend and participate in a mentor/facilitator capacity Creative Engine networking events, artist residency and workshops
• Connect with and mentorship of Creative Engine artist cohort
• Attend shows and opening nights at Geelong Arts Centre
• Geelong Arts Centre will have the first right of refusal for further development and/or co-commissioning of new work developed during contract term
• Provide Geelong Arts Centre acknowledgment for life of the new work created during contract term
• Ambassadorship for Geelong Arts Centre and committed to making a contribution to local Geelong Region cultural sector
• Contribute programming input and advice

Criteria that the applications will be assessed by

• Quality of artistic practice – demonstrated track record of developing and presenting strong performance work and strength of the proposed idea
• Connection – to the local Geelong community or place, or to the wider Victorian landscape or community, and the value and contribution the artist can add to local emerging artists
• Clarity and feasibility of project – the clarity of the new work to be developed including the planning and budget given the timeframe and support offered from Geelong Arts Centre
• Value to the artist at this time – why is this opportunity vital to the artist’s development and how does the proposed new work exhibit innovation and growth to their practice

How To Apply

Please refer to the below downloads for the complete Position Description and the Application Form.

Please note, it is mandatory to complete and upload the Application Form in the application portal in the ‘Cover Letter’ field.

If you do not include this Application Form, your application cannot be considered for the role.

Applicants that require a different application method are invited to contact Geelong Arts Centre to discuss this – we are committed to making application processes as accessible as possible and will work with interested applicants to facilitate this, please get in touch via creativeengine@geelongartscentre.org.au

Applications close Sunday 9 June 2024, 11.59pm