APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Sturt Craft Centre invites applications from experienced craft practitioners to the Sturt Artist-in-Residence program.  Residencies occur in the disciplines of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, wood, photography and writing. Four to six residencies occur at Sturt each year.

Sturt encourages small scale production and individually designed work which may be promoted through Sturt Gallery. 

Each year professional residencies may be awarded specifically to develop a body of work which can be produced and made, at Sturt, during the Residency time.

Sturt sees the residency program as an important adjunct to its overall aim of support for Australian contemporary craft and design through a program of teaching, retail, exhibition and residencies. The emphasis of the residency program will be to support craftspeople and designer-makers who are sympathetic to this philosophy.

Three categories of residency are available:
• Professional Residency
• Self Directed Residency
• Graduate Residency

1.      Professional Residency

This category is aimed at high profile applicants, who welcome the opportunity to develop new work within the multi-disciplined craft environment of Sturt. Each applicant must have considerable experience as a maker and/or exhibitor to be considered for this program. Applications are accepted at all times until 31 October for positions in the following year.

Residents in this category are required to:

• Develop and make a body of work for promotion and sale at Sturt Gallery
• Be resident at Sturt for three months
• Pay for own materials and firings
• Develop and make a work for inclusion in the Sturt permanent collection

Residents in this category will receive:

• A stipend of AUD$2000 plus $500 material expenses
• Studio space in the relevant studio including equipment pertinent to that studio
• Accommodation provided to  be allocated one room and may share the kitchen and living room with another Resident
• Promotional assistance and opportunities for retail exposure at Sturt Gallery

2.      Self Directed Residency

This category is aimed at experienced applicants, who welcome the opportunity to develop work within the multi-disciplined craft environment of Sturt.  Each applicant must have experience as a maker (able to work within their chosen discipline safely and independently) to be considered for this program. This category of Residency does not attract a stipend. Applications are accepted at all times until 31st October for positions in the following year.

Residents in this category are required to be resident at Sturt for two months and must pay for all their material use.

Residents in this category will receive:

• Studio space in the relevant studio including equipment pertinent to that studio.
• Possible access to subsidised accommodation which will incur a rental costs.
• Promotional assistance and opportunities for retail exposure at Sturt Shop and/or Gallery.
• Opportunity to teach workshops to generate income. Teaching may take the form of a five-day workshop, or several one-day or weekend courses.

3.       Graduate Residency

This category is restricted to recent graduates from NSW and the ACT and is available only in the studios of ceramics, textiles or jewellery. The Graduate Residency is available for six weeks.  Applicants for this category must show the ability to work safely and independently (a letter signed by their tutor to confirm this) and must pay for all their material use.

Residents in this category will receive:

• Studio space in the relevant studio including equipment belonging to that studio.
• Accommodation provided - to be allocated one room and may share the kitchen and living room with another Resident.
• Promotional assistance and possibility for retail exposure at Sturt Shop and/or Gallery.
• A small stipend of $500.

All Residency Programs are assisted financially from Friends of Sturt, a volunteer support group which meets regularly to help with events at Sturt, produces a newsletter and raises money through its membership fees.

Application procedure

All applicants should fill out the Application form and include:

• A short written proposal, briefly describing type of work to be carried out.
• Current CV.
• Images of work relating to your proposal (digital, prints or slides).
• Any other relevant promotional material.
• Graduate residents must include a letter of support from a tutor or supervisor.

Applications for all categories close on the 31 October for positions in the following year. Successful applicants will be notified in mid December for positions to take place in the following year.

Artist-in-Residents - General Information

The Residency program provides time, space and facilities for artists to focus on making and developing new work. There are no formal activities and residents are required to structure their time to best suit their practice. The Sturt Residency program suits those with a high level of initiative, and those who are able to work independently. It is expected that Residents will remain at Sturt for the Residency period. One of the unique aspects of Sturt is the opportunity to have interaction with makers working in other disciplines and to benefit from the active promotional program which Sturt generates.

Aim of the Program

• Provide a model of successful craft practice
• Broaden Sturt’s profile by inviting high profile practitioners to Sturt
• Increase numbers of students, clients and the general public to Sturt
• Bring expertise to Sturt with a specialised area of craft practice
• Invigorate contemporary craft practices by giving artists quality time and facilities to develop new work

Past Residencies

Contact details:
Mark Viner Head of Sturt
PO Box 34 Mittagong 2575 NSW Australia
mviner@sturt.nsw.edu.au
Ph +61 2 4860 2080   Fax +61 2 4860 2081  www.sturt.nsw.edu.au