Creative Engine kicks off 2023 with major opportunities for Victorian artists

MEDIA RELEASE • 20 JANUARY 2023

Geelong Arts Centre is thrilled to today announce the launch of the inaugural Geelong Arts Centre Creative Engine Artist Residency and their first 2023 grant round.

CREATIVE ENGINE ARTIST RESIDENCY

Geelong Arts Centre and Performing Lines are seeking applications from performing arts practitioners from Victoria for the inaugural residency, to be held at YMCA Camp Wyuna in Queenscliff (Wadawurrung Country) from 6-8 May.

Facilitated by Annette Downs (Performing Lines TAS, Churchill Fellow, Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year, Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate), the game-changing, intensive three-day residency will provide a supportive, creative environment for local performing artists from all walks of life to test new ideas, collaborate and push projects to their next level of artistic discovery in a fully catered and accommodated residential retreat.

Development of each project will be supported and informed through one-on-one sessions and workshops facilitated by highly skilled cross-disciplinary arts mentors from across Australia.

Applications for the artist residency are now open now until midnight, Sunday 12 February at geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-engine/artist-residency.

Applications are welcome from all performing artists, from those at the beginning of their artistic practise right through to senior artists with significant experience.

The simple application takes just 20 minutes to complete.

Priority will be given to artists who work in, live in, or can demonstrate a strong connection to the G21 region.

Geelong Arts Centre has an express commitment to First Nations artists, PoC artists, d/Deaf and Disabled artists, and artists from lower income backgrounds.

Applications will be reviewed by a curatorial panel who will take into consideration the calibre of the artists, the quality of the creative idea and the connection to Geelong.

CREATIVE ENGINE GRANT ROUND

Plus, applications are now open for the first 2023 Geelong Arts Centre Creative Engine grant round.

Totalling $12,000 in financial grants and over $30,000 of value-in-kind studio and co-working space access at the arts centre’s landmark Ryrie Street building, the six available grant packages focus on supporting emerging artists with strong ties to the G21 region as they pursue development of new and exciting work.

Available packages include:

• 2 x Ignition: $5,000 plus in-kind studio access (up to 76 hours), in-kind co-working and meeting space access, and mentoring opportunities
• 2 x Jump Start: $1,000 plus in-kind studio access (up to 38 hours) and in-kind co-working and meeting space access
• 2 x Place to Make: In-kind studio access (up to 38 hours) and in-kind co-working and meeting space access

Applications are now open at geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-engine/grants-support-initiatives and will close at 5:00pm Sunday 12 February, with successful projects notified on Friday 3 March.

Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine program is proudly supported by Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University, and Innovation Partner, Costa Asset Management.

To learn more about the Creative Engine program and current programs and opportunities, visit geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-engine

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE

“We are thrilled to open our newest grant round and introduce our very first Creative Engine Artist Residency in 2023.Together with Performing Lines, it has long been a dream of ours to offer the diverse creative practitioners of our region the opportunity to come together intensively to collaborate and feel supported to take positive risks with their artistic ideas. We are thrilled to see years of discussion come to fruition, and we are proud to provide such a game-changing opportunity for the G21 creative community.”

Quote attributable to Geelong Arts Centre CEO and Creative Director, Joel McGuinness

“We have such an exceptional range of creative talent in Victoria and the G21 region, and at Geelong Arts Centre we are committed to supporting artists across all art forms and walks of life to develop exciting works. We understand that support looks different along the creative journey, which is why it is so rewarding to see our Creative Engine initiative grow as we expand our ways of working with creative makers across our region.”

Quote attributable to Geelong Arts Centre Head of Programming, Penny McCabe

MEDIA RESOURCES

For comprehensive details regarding the Creative Engine initiative and its various programs and opportunities, as well as approved imagery, visit the dedicated Creative Engine media resources hub.