Starting out
I have had this idea for a few years now. I've always wanted to run a studio/gallery/art space but until recently I wasn't sure what form this would take.
While working on my MFA at the VCA I did a lot of soul searching in regards to what I really wanted to do when I finished my study. Making art is a given, but how can you make a living as an artist? I know very few full-time artists and didn't want to put the pressure of making money on my art practice. I have had experience running my own graphic design company for 10 years as well as setting up Northern Brisbane Rollers as a not-for-profit with four other people in 2008, and numerous other retail and admin jobs over the years.
Eventually I came up with the idea of running a small set of studios for professional artists that are partially funded by patrons/art lovers. Even if one of the studios is subsidised. I want to get patrons involved in a direct way with artist's day-to-day work. This could take many forms and some examples might be that the patron pays for the artist studio for one year, mentoring and hopefully friendships will form. In return the artist might give some art to the patron, hold personal workshops with the patron and host studio visits maybe once a month. It would be an individual agreement between the two people. In essence, it's really about the love of art, friendships and making stuff happen.
Special events will be held a number of times a year where artists and patrons/art lovers can get together for an evening of good food, wine and talk about art. This will be an opportunity to meet new people that you might not get to meet otherwise, in a relaxed social setting.
Other events will include open studios, artist talks and things like bbq and movie nights.
As well as the studios we will hold workshops like untutored life drawing, painting from life, and drawing as well as specialist intensives run by professional artists that live in Melbourne. There are so many fantastic artists in Melbourne with so many different skills. This will also give artists the opportunity to earn some money.
Finally an international artist residency is the ultimate goal. I have been on a few residencies in Australia and overseas. I believe they are invaluable to artists. It gives the artist a chance to step out of their own routine and paves the way for new experiences and time to refresh the art process. The goal is to host an artist for 1-6 months with an exhibition at the end of the residency.
I am very fortunate to know some wonderful people who have extensive business experience and are very generous with information and encouragement. If it wasn't for them I might not be doing this!
I'm very excited but also nervous. Here goes!
While working on my MFA at the VCA I did a lot of soul searching in regards to what I really wanted to do when I finished my study. Making art is a given, but how can you make a living as an artist? I know very few full-time artists and didn't want to put the pressure of making money on my art practice. I have had experience running my own graphic design company for 10 years as well as setting up Northern Brisbane Rollers as a not-for-profit with four other people in 2008, and numerous other retail and admin jobs over the years.
Eventually I came up with the idea of running a small set of studios for professional artists that are partially funded by patrons/art lovers. Even if one of the studios is subsidised. I want to get patrons involved in a direct way with artist's day-to-day work. This could take many forms and some examples might be that the patron pays for the artist studio for one year, mentoring and hopefully friendships will form. In return the artist might give some art to the patron, hold personal workshops with the patron and host studio visits maybe once a month. It would be an individual agreement between the two people. In essence, it's really about the love of art, friendships and making stuff happen.
Special events will be held a number of times a year where artists and patrons/art lovers can get together for an evening of good food, wine and talk about art. This will be an opportunity to meet new people that you might not get to meet otherwise, in a relaxed social setting.
Other events will include open studios, artist talks and things like bbq and movie nights.
As well as the studios we will hold workshops like untutored life drawing, painting from life, and drawing as well as specialist intensives run by professional artists that live in Melbourne. There are so many fantastic artists in Melbourne with so many different skills. This will also give artists the opportunity to earn some money.
Finally an international artist residency is the ultimate goal. I have been on a few residencies in Australia and overseas. I believe they are invaluable to artists. It gives the artist a chance to step out of their own routine and paves the way for new experiences and time to refresh the art process. The goal is to host an artist for 1-6 months with an exhibition at the end of the residency.
I am very fortunate to know some wonderful people who have extensive business experience and are very generous with information and encouragement. If it wasn't for them I might not be doing this!
I'm very excited but also nervous. Here goes!
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