Applications for the 2024 ATW Artist in Residence program are now open.

The ATW offers artists and craftspeople working in any medium, the chance to broaden their practice in our world-renowned residency program. Each year, Artists in Residence immerse themselves in our vibrant studio – exchanging knowledge and skills with our tapestry weavers and engaging with local communities through public programs including talks, hands-on workshops and exhibitions.

Our mission is to ensure that this traditional art form and our specialist creative skills are kept alive and thriving in Australia through active collaboration with contemporary artists. The ATW Artist in Residence program encourages the exchange of knowledge and skills between contemporary artists and ATW weavers and staff; provides artists with a platform for professional development and public engagement and fosters creative exchange and collaboration. There will be 5 places available in the 2024 Artist in Residence program.

One place will be designated specifically for an artist  identifying as First Nations (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) and one place designated for an artist from Regional Australia*.  

The Irene Davies International Residency Scholarship will be awarded to an international artist which includes financial support for accommodation expenses and a solo exhibition at the ATW.  All  Artists in Residence receive a materials stipend of $400.

Applicants identifying as First Peoples, CALD, living in regional and remote areas, and/or as having a disability are encouraged to apply and are supported in their application. The ATW is committed to creating a fair, equitable and inclusive environment for artists. We value diversity in the artistic community and support the rights of all people regardless of age, gender, ability or background. Please contact Adriane Hayward, Public Programs and Exhibitions Coordinator if more information or assistance is required – ahayward@austapestry.com.au or call ATW on +61 3 9699 7885.

Artists are advised to read the ‘About Us’ section on the ATW website before writing their application.

RESIDENCY TERMS & CONDITIONS:
1. In 2024 the ATW will be offering 5 residency placements artists and craftspeople working in any medium.
2. One place will be designated for an artist identifying as First Nations (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander).
3. One place will be designated for an artist from Regional Australia* who will receive $600 towards accommodation costs. (*Regional Australia is considered to be OUTSIDE the following areas: Sydney; Wollongong/Illawarra, Newcastle; Central Coast, Melbourne; Geelong, Brisbane; Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Australian Capital Territory, Adelaide, Hobart. Taken from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Website.)
4. One place will be held for an international artist who will receive the Irene Davies Residency Scholarship (see below for details).
5. Artists need to commit to attend the residency for at least 3 days per week for at a minimum of 3 weeks, but can attend up to 6 days a week for up to 6 weeks.
6. ATW is accessible Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5pm. Artists undertaking their residency will only be able to access the studio during these times.
7. Artists will be expected to deliver a public outcome, not necessarily directly stemming from their residency, such as an educational workshop, talk or open studio.
8. Artists can join an Introduction to Tapestry Weaving 2-day class at no cost if they wish.
9. Artists can undertake a focused learning session with an ATW weaver or dyer.

RESIDENCY OUTCOMES:
1. There is no expected artistic output for the residency; it can be used as an experimental/research period.
2. Artists will be included in the annual AIR exhibition the year following their residency. The work should be created during the residency or in relation to research completed during the residency.

ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE:
1. Artists will be given a dedicated 4 x 4m working space at the ATW, access to ATW yarn, tapestry weaving materials and use of a computer.
2. Artists will have the opportunity to show and sell their work in our window space during their residency. This is a 2.4 x 2.4 x 0.5m window space on busy Park St, South Melbourne.
3. There are various looms for cloth weaving available including a 4 shaft, 6 treadle Leclerc floor loom and a 50cm wide Ashford rigid heddle loom. There is also a 60cm 2 shaft table loom for cloth and tapestry weaving.
4. Artists will receive a $400 stipend to assist with purchasing materials to create their work for the exhibition.
5. Artists will have access to $100 worth of ATW yarn.

IRENE DAVIES INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY SCHOLARSHIP :
The Irene Davies Scholarship will be awarded to one international (non Australian) artist. This scholarship generously supported by the Davies family in memory of their mother, tapestry weaver Irene Davies.
The selected international artist will present a solo exhibition, lecture and workshop/s as part of their residency. The artist will receive a $2500 scholarship to support accommodation costs when undertaking a residency at ATW (covers approximately 3 - 4 weeks of a residency). The artist will be paid to deliver a lecture and workshop/s. The ATW cannot assist with travel costs but we will support artists to seek funding for these costs.
The exhibition is to be held 18 June to 16 August 2024 and the residency should begin during the installation period of this exhibition for up to 6 weeks. The ATW will support exhibition installation and freight costs. Artists with artworks that are easily transportable and require limited installation costs will be prioritised. The ATW Gallery is 11 meters long x 5 meters wide with approximately 30 meters of hanging space.

ASSESSMENT:
Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:
1. Artistic Merit: Strength of the artists practice and potential for artistic growth and professional development.
2. Proposal: Viability of the proposed project and the artist’s capacity to achieve these outcomes.
3. Engagement: The artist creates opportunities to introduce the ATW to new artistic ideas, audiences and education or public program outcomes.
Artists will be selected by a panel including Sophie Travers, Director/CEO Australian Tapestry Workshop; Dr David Sequeira, ATW Board Member, Director Fiona and Sidney Myer Gallery and artist and 2023 ATW Artist in Residence Kait James (Wadawurrung).

TO APPLY:
Please complete the online application using Typeform form below. Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:
1. Artistic Merit: Strength of the artists practice and potential for artistic growth and professional development during the residency.
2. Proposal: Viability of the proposed project and the artist’s capacity to achieve these outcomes.
3. Engagement: The artist creates opportunities to introduce the ATW to new artistic ideas, audiences and education or public program outcomes.

We suggest writing your application in a word document, then copy and paste your text when you are ready to submit.

You will be required to provide:
1. Contact information.
2. Preferred residency timeframe.
3. Brief statement about your practice (250 words).
4. Brief statement on why you want to do a residency at ATW (250 words).
5. Brief description of what you propose to do during the residency (250 words).
6. Brief description of any public programs you have delivered in the past (e.g workshops, demonstrations or talks) or any public programs you would be interested in delivering during your residency? (250 words).
7. Artists applying for the Irene Davies International Residency Scholarship need to provide a brief description of what work could be exhibited in the ATW gallery (250 words).
8. 1 page CV (PDF files only accepted).
9. Up to 10 and at least 5 support images (JPEG, max 1MB) – these can be of previous work or proposed work for the residency.

Please note applications that are not complete or do not provide files in the correct formats will not be considered.

Applications will close on Sunday 29 October 5pm AEDT. All successful applicants will be notified by Friday 24 November 2023. If you have any questions, please email contact@austapestry.com.au.

ATW x APA RESIDENCY PARTNERSHIP
In an ongoing partnership with Arts Project Australia (APA) the ATW will offer a residency place to an APA artist in 2023. This is an important professional development opportunity for the APA artists to create work in an inspiring studio environment and forge new connections in the Melbourne contemporary art community. This place will be additional to the 6 places for artists in 2023.

Click here to access the application form in a new tab, or fill it out below.