Geelong Arts Centre is thrilled to announce Bron Batten and Keziah Warner as this year’s Associate Artists, with both artists to receive over $40,000 in cash support to develop new work and focus on artistic practice - plus up to $15,000 in rehearsal studio time and mentorship support.
Now in its second year, this industry-leading artist development initiative will support Bron and Keziah to develop new original work, engage in an intensive period of research and to share their new work or project with local audiences and beyond.
Throughout the initiative, both artists will contribute to Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine program which is designed to inspire, mentor and help to elevate the work of other creatives in the region.
Bron and Keziah will also receive access to Geelong Arts Centre’s world-class studio facilities as well as support and mentorship from the Geelong Arts Centre team.
Selected from a very competitive round, both artists stood out among a high-calibre field of performance-based applicants who have significant experience developing exceptional work.
Bron Batten is a multi-award-winning Australian performer and theatre-maker known for creating contemporary and collaborative performances with community and audience members. Bron has presented her work extensively at home and abroad, and is currently a performer and co-devisor with Back to Back Theatre.
Her time as Associate Artist will support the very first stage development of a brand-new performance piece entitled The Natural Order, a work that attempts to deter ‘past Bron’ from pursuing a career in the arts.
Keziah Warner is a playwright and dramaturg and an exciting new voice in theatre, with writing credits for Malthouse Theatre’s Hour of the Wolf and Nosferatu, Control for Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre and Help Yourself for Melbourne Theatre Company’s Cybec Electric. Her play What’s Yours recently premiered at Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre.
Keziah will dedicate time to working on a project called Desire Lines, a romantic comedy set in Geelong train station - a funny, bittersweet and off-beat tale of love, trains and missed connections.
Since launching Creative Engine in 2019, Geelong Arts Centre has invested in 963 Victorian artists, developed 133 projects, delivered 82 grants, 34 professional development initiatives and 9 co-commissions.
The support provided for Victorian artists through Creative Engine covers funding, development and commissions as well as venue hire, staff and equipment costs to the value of $1.2 million.
Creative Engine is supported by The Ian Potter Foundation, expanding and enhancing the flagship development program by offering a range of new initiatives tailored to the needs of developing artists in the region.
Quote attributable to CEO and Creative Director, Geelong Arts Centre Rhys Holden
“I’m thrilled to welcome Bron and Keziah to Geelong Arts Centre. We can’t wait to have them here for a year in Geelong to create exciting new projects, and also I look forward to the impact they will have on other artists and the wider creative ecosystem."
Quotes attributable to Arts Senior Program Manager, The Ian Potter Foundation, Louise Joel
“The partnership between Geelong Arts Centre and The Ian Potter Foundation underscores a shared commitment to supporting artists on their creative journeys. The Associate Artist initiative empowers artists to explore, create, and push boundaries that shape the cultural landscape”
Quote attributable to Geelong Arts Centre Associate Artist Keziah Warner
“I am so excited for this opportunity, particularly to work with and mentor local artists and to learn and grow together through the year. This will be invaluable to the development of my writing and allow me to actively contribute to the wider arts community, which is by far the most important thing I can do as an artist. The chance to embed as a writer at a company with both a salary and dedicated project funding is such a rare and incredible opportunity and a real testament to Geelong Arts Centre’s understanding of and investment in artists.”
Quote attributable to Geelong Arts Centre Associate Artist Bron Batten
“This position as Associate Artist means such a great deal to me. It’s happening at a point in my career where the structure and support will literally sustain my ability to keep being an artist, which feels utterly remarkable. I’m so excited and very grateful to the Geelong Arts Centre for the opportunity and am looking forward to finding out what I can offer the wider Geelong community through my practice.”
Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Major Artistic Partner, the Ian Potter Foundation, Deakin University, and Innovation Partner, Costa Asset Management.
Learn more about Bron Batten and Keziah Warner and their work at geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-engine
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