Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is seeking expressions of interest for our 2015 Artist-in-Residence program.
In 2015 Craft ACT in collaboration with ACT Parks and Conservation service, is offering two professional artists a 2-4 week residency, thougout August and Sepetmer 2015, at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage in Namadgi National Park located in the Nation’s Capital, Canberra. One residency will be offered to a Craft ACT member craft practitioner or designer-maker and one residency will be offered to aninternational craft practitioner or designer-maker.
Download the EOI, Submissions close 5.00pm Friday 22 May 2015
Through the Artist-in-Residence program participating artist will benefit from a number of opportunities including

• An increase of their professional profile both in Australia and internationally through participating in an international cross-cultural residency program
• To make new work for the 2016 artist-in-residence exhibition in the Craft ACT Gallery and be published in a catalogue distributed nationally and internationally.
• To spend time alone within a unique environment to focus solely on their professional practice
• Access to the national park and park rangers to explore sensitive heritage sites and environmental areas, allowing for the cross-pollination of the arts, heritage and environment
• Access to national cultural and research institutions and collections to strengthen areas of their professional practice through a sustained research period
• Have the opportunity to network with participating local or international artists – to share ideas and form relationships that may lead to future opportunities, collaboration or joint projects
• To Increase knowledge and understanding of cultures, and cultural exchanges between countries
• To engage with the community through participating in public programs such as an Open Day, a forum, an artist talk, a workshop and/or other events as agreed.

2015 Residency theme: Connect with Your Nature
When we connect with and experience our national parks, our health and wellbeing is enriched and balanced. Time spent in these sanctuaries sustains and restores our minds and bodies – away from the stresses and demands of our routines and the fast-paced age of advanced technologies in which we live. Evidence from fields as diverse as ecology, environmental psychology and psychiatry have shown that access to ‘nature’ plays a vital role in human health, wellbeing and development. With wide research and compelling evidence from across the globe, the concept of ‘Heathly Parks Healthy People’ emerged a number of years ago with ACT Parks and Conservation Service now championing the cause.
Eligibility
The 2015 Artist-in-Residence program expressions of interest are open to professional, practicing craft practitioners and designer-makers who have a demonstrated history of excellence in their practice. Applications are open to Craft ACT members and international artists. Group applications are not accepted.
There is a public program component and selected artists are required to participate in community engagement activities, such as an artist talk, workshop and an Open Day during the residency period.
Please note: International applicants must demonstrate good written and spoken English skills to participate in the public program and to understand their responsibilities relating to occupational health and safety protocol within the park.
Costs and Subsidies
The following costs and subsidies are included in the Artist-in-Residence participant’s package:

• A stipend of AUD $2,000.00 will be provided for each artist-in-residence, payable in full at the commencement of the residency, or as otherwise arranged.
• Up to $3,500 AUD for travel expenses to and from Canberra will be provided by Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre to the selected international artist. This will cover a return airfare as well as car hire for the two week period whilst residing in the park.
• Accommodation at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage is provided to artists-in-residence at no cost.
• Accommodation in Canberra for the international artist to undertake research and participate in the public program will be provided by Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre.
• Artists will cover all living and transport expenses for the duration of the residency.

For further details of the artist-in-residence program, please download the Expressions of Interest form and visit our website.
Submissions close 5.00pm Friday 22 May 2015
Applicants notified by Friday 5 June 2015
Download the EOI

For enquiries please contact Gwenyth Macnamara, Curator of Public Programs via gwenyth.macnamara[at]craftact.org.au
The Artist-in-Residence program is presented in partnership with ACT Parks & Conservation Service, and is supported by artsACT through their Arts Residencies ACT initiative.
Image credit: Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage, Namadgi National Park. Photography: Art Atelier Photography.