Artist in Residence Program Guidelines (V3 - 2/11/16)

Program purposeTo provide an artist in residence program that supports the development of new works by contemporary artists in the garden setting of Billilla Mansion, one of Bayside City Council’s historic properties, and:

• To create opportunities for community connections with contemporary artists.

• To provide the Bayside community opportunities to participate in local contemporary art projects.

• To encourage appreciation of arts and culture within the local community.

• To utilise art as a platform for engaging the community.

Where it is possible, the Artist in Residence program is intended to complement the following programs:

• The Gallery @ BACC

• ARTrium Exhibition Space and Roaming Studios

• Bayside Literary Series

• Resonance Music Series

• Bayside Design Market

The term ‘artist’ is used in a generic and inclusive sense and refers to all arts practices.

HistoryBillilla Historic Mansion was built by merchant Robert Wright in 1878. It was subsequently purchased by William Weatherly, a pastoralist from the Darling River area in western New South Wales in 1888. He named the property Billilla after his holding in that area and occupied the residence as his town house. Billilla remained in the possession of his family until 1972 when it was purchased by the Brighton City Council in 1973 on behalf of the citizens of Brighton. Billilla and the surrounding gardens are listed on the National Trust Register. The grounds are well used by locals as a public park and the mansion itself is currently occupied as a small school campus. The Artist in Residence Program began 2009/2010.

Day studios

At the rear of Billilla are a collection of stand-alone buildings including the coach house, butler’s cottage, and servants’ quarters which have been converted into day studios. The Laundry studio and a first floor studio (Traill studio) are attached to the mansion. These eight residencies are available and are offered to successful applicants for 12 months from July to June annually. Billilla Historic Mansion is located at 56 Halifax Street, Brighton and is within 500 metres of Middle Brighton Station.

Studios have seven day a week access from 8am to 10pm, power and lighting are provided and in some studios there is running water, in others good natural light. The buildings are heritage structures and although purpose built as workspaces and accommodation there is no heating/air-conditioning and there is limited insulation against heat and cold. Flooring is generally concrete, timber, lino, flagstones, or carpet.

AIRspace is a common room with a tea and coffee making station and private toilet for use by the artists in residence. Serviced public toilet facilities are on site within the gardens. There are no phone points or wireless connection however free internet and wireless connection is available at Brighton Library, which is a two-minute drive from the studios.

The successful artists are able to furnish the space according to their own requirements (at their own cost). The in-kind value of the space is approximately $8,000 ($5,700 rental and $2,300 utility costs).

Many of the studios are named after prominent local artists, further information can be found on the website.

Tayler studio - image courtesy Luhsun TAN in residence 2014/2015

Grainger studio, named after composer and artist Percy Grainger and the Marshall studio, named after writer Alan Marshall were previously known as the ‘servants’ quarters’.

These separate rooms are located at the rear of the mansion, the studios measure 3.5 metres by 3.5 metres respectively.

The Grainger studio includes a sink with running water. These studios are ideally allocated to writers.

Grainger studio

Beckett studio, named after the tonalist painter Clarice Beckett was previously known as ‘the dairy’.

Three small adjoining rooms form the Beckett studio. The space measures 9 metres by 2.5 metres and includes a sink with running water. This studio is suited to painters working on medium scaled works.

Beckett studio

Laundry studio, The Laundry studio is located within the footprint of the mansion. It is full of character and still contains equipment from the days of its original use. The floor is flagstone and covered with a vinyl covering.

This studio meaures approximately 5 metres x 4 metres, however there are also some permanent fixtures housed in this space. It has an operational sink with hot and cold running water.

Laundry studio

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Parr studio, named after sculptor Lenton Parr was previously known as the ‘coach house’.

The Parr studio measures 5.3 metres by 5.4 metres and includes use of the fenced yard making it particularly suitable for larger scale sculpture work. There is running water and a sink in this studio. Special conditions for the Parr Studio include:

• Hot work (welding, oxy cutting etc) and metal cutting, grinding or polishing is not permitted within the room.

• Hot work is also not permitted within 3 metres of the outbuildings.

• The sculptor should prepare and provide appropriate JSAs, risk assessments and OH&S plans for any work that involves heavy material.

• All materials are to be stored within the allocated space, and not outside the building.

Parr studio

Parr studio Hall Street entrance

Sievers studio, named after photographer Wolfgang Sievers was previously known as ‘the coach house store’.

The Sievers studio is located at the rear of the ‘coach house’. The studio measures 3.5 metres by 3 metres. There is no window or natural light in this studio. A unique feature is the historic brougham carriage originally owned by Miss Violet Weatherley, which is housed behind a clear acrylic screen adjacent to the studio. There is no running water in the studio but facilities are available in AIRspace.

Sievers studio is at the rear of the Parr studio

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Traill studio , named after printmaker Jessie Traill was previously known as ‘the governess’ quarters’. The Traill studio is attached to the mansion and is located on the first floor.

The entrance to the studio is through the shared community space on the ground floor (AIRspace) which has a separate entrance that leads from the grounds of Billilla Mansion.

Access to the studio is via a set of stairs off AIRspace. The studio measures 5 metres by 4 metres and there is access to running water from the shared facilities of the communal space on the ground floor.

Tayler studio, named after renowned architect Lloyd Tayler was previously known as the ‘butler’s quarters’.

The Tayler studio is a stand-alone building. It measures 5.2 metres by 3.7 metres including a small built-in storage area. It also has running water and a sink. There is limited natural light but this studio has been well utilised by painters working on large scale works.

Rear of the Tayler studioTraill studio entrance

Artist community space and AIR public programs

AIRspace is attached to the Mansion and is accessible directly from the grounds of Billilla Mansion. AIRspace has tea and coffee making facilities, a bar fridge, sandwich maker and microwave oven. It also provides direct access to a shared toilet.

AIRspace can be freely used by the artists, however from time to time it will be booked for artist public programs.

‘AIRspace’, artist community hub

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Assessment criteria

Criteria Weighing

Quality of Work 40% artistic rigor, creative approach, technical skills, formal training and education, engagement with Melbourne Arts Sector.

Value of the studio to the artist’s development 30% Proposed use of studio - minimum 4 days per week

Pro-active/creative approach to participation in 30% community art programs.

Qualifying requirements• Tertiary qualifications in the related field

• Currently engaged with the Melbourne arts sector.

• Art form is suitable for the residency program.

• Willing to provide 20 voluntary hours including Artist in Residence Open Day and Schools Open Day. The artist is also required to devise and deliver community engagement opportunities (community art project) as part of this voluntary hours commitment.

• Provision of legacy art for consideration in being a part of the Bayside Art & Heritage Collection or 15 additional voluntary hours directed towards community art programs.

Quota for Bayside residentsThree studios will be set aside for Bayside residents. Artists who are Bayside residents and who meet the qualifying requirements are to be given first option for these studios. If more than three Bayside residents meeting the qualifying requirements apply, their scores against the assessment criteria will determine who is allocated a studio. If less than three Bayside residents meeting the qualifying requirements apply, studios can be re-allocated to artists who are not Bayside residents.

Selection processVisual artists in residence submissions:

The Cultural Development Officer & Arts Project Officer to review submitted applications against the Qualifying requirements. Short-listed applicants are approved by the Co-ordinator Arts & Cultural Planning.

The finalist short-list is assessed by a Panel comprising of:

• Local practising artist (post-tertiary)

• Gallery Supervisor

• Manager Family and Cultural Services

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Writers in residence submissionsOne Library Services representative will review all submitted applications against the Assessment Criteria. Short-listed applicants are approved by the Manager Family & Cultural Services.

The finalist short-list is assessed by a Panel comprising of:

• Local writing appreciation group (Library recommendation)

• Manager Family and Cultural Services

Composers in residence submissionsOne Event Partner from the Resonance Music Series will review all submitted applications against the Assessment Criteria. Short-listed applicants are approved by the Manager Family & Cultural Services.

The finalist short-list then to be assessed by a Panel comprising of:

• Local practising artist (post-tertiary)

• Representative from ABC Classic FM, or other classical music appreciation group.

• Manager Family and Cultural Services

Community art programsThe artist’s community art projects will need to be considered by Council and documented in a Proposal Submission which should include:

• Public Program project brief, detailing activities

• Proposed dates and duration of the event

• Benefit to the artist’s work practice

• Benefit to local artists

• Benefit to the broader community

• Proposed budget for the public program (including any expectation from Bayside City Council)

• List of materials and equipment required

• Explanation of the environment/venue required to deliver the project

• If relevant a sketch of the project

• Marketing and promotions planned or proposed

• Qualifications/referees

Council staff will assist with the development of the Proposal Submission and also provide support in the staging of proposed community art projects.

Provision of a legacy art item or additional voluntary community art programsLegacy

It is a requirement that the resident artist presents an artwork for submission to the Bayside City Council collection. This donation is subject to acquisition by Bayside City Council’s Arts and Heritage Collection Committee in accordance with Council’s Arts and Heritage Collection Policy (Please feel free to contact Council for further clarification).

The donation may take the form of an artwork produced during the residency or documentary material recording the residency. Donations of this nature have the capacity to make an important contribution to the collection and become a beneficial resource for the community.

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Additional voluntary community art programs

Should a legacy item not be appropriate or relevant to the artist’s practice, further voluntary public programming would be considered in lieu of a legacy item. This additional public programming would be considered by Council and documented in a Proposal Submission as detailed on page 6.

An artists’ fee may be paid by Council (as budget allows) over and above the voluntary hours commitment should a project be deemed an exceptional opportunity for the Bayside community.

Application process1. Online applications are preferred, however hard copy applications are also accepted. Please ensure you complete all sections of the application form and upload or include all requested information.

a. Application form - completed and signed.

b. CV - no more than 2 pages, highlighting aspects relevant to your application

c. Support material – Visual Artists

No more than 10 digital images per application. Images must be in jpeg format (max size 2MB @300dpi) can be uploaded to the application website, or alternatively supplied as hard-copy. The following will not be accepted: slides, catalogues, photographs, colour photocopies, or any other printed material; VHS tapes; PowerPoint presentations; images saved in a PDF document.

Image electronic file names are to be labelled in the following format:

Name_Surname_Title _date_of_work.jpg with underscores between words eg. Virginia_Woolf_Billilla_2013.jpg

Ensure details of works are included with the application: work name | year of work | dimensions of work | medium (multi-media work should include the duration of the work) d. Support material – Other Art Practitioners

A combination of no more than 10 jpeg images (max size 2MB @300dpi), one DVD (10 minutes max) or 10 examples of your written work in .doc/.pdf format for artists or writers in any art form.

• Image file names or documents are to be labelled in the following format:

• Name_Surname_Title _date_of_work.jpg with underscores between words.

• eg. Virginia_Woolf_Billilla_2013.jpg

2. Hard copy applications only

a. Applicants must supply an A4 hard copy list of supporting material, with the following headings: artist’s full name and surname; title of work; medium; size of work; and date. (Include any other background information that might assist selectors in understanding the work or its context.)

b. Your application must be presented on A4 size, single sided paper with details printed in black ink. Please use only paper clips to bind work. No staples, binding or display folders may be used.

3. The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject incomplete or non-complying applications.

4. Material will only be returned where an appropriately sized, stamped, self-addressed envelope is supplied.

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To applyApplication forms are available to complete online or download from:

bayside.vic.gov.au/artistinresidence

Applications must be received by 5pm, Friday 27 February 2017. Successful applicants will be notified by end of March 2017.

Contact

Bayside City Council E: artevents@bayside.vic.gov.au P: (03) 9599 4444 - Arts & Culture Unit.

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Billilla Mansion - Installation Synapses (detail) - 2014, Marynes AVILA in residence 2014

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