SITE LAB
Small Gestures Towards Infinity
Gallery.OnespaceandartisttheofCourtesyGrimwade.MarcPhoto:2009.charge,inwho’sforgetDon’tMoody,Sebastian
SITE LAB // Small Gestures Towards Infinity is a commissioning project encouraging artists and audiences to reimagine, disrupt, transform and engage in public space. A pilot collaboration between Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery, SITE LAB is a series of temporary art projects presented in public locations across Lismore CBD and the wider Northern Rivers region.
INTRODUCTION
+ Mentored Projects
KEYTIMELINEDATES OUTCOMES 1 September EOI applications open 28 September 2022 EOI applications close 14 October 2022 Notification November 2022 February 2023 Project development March May 2023 Project presentation
For artists based in or that have a strong demonstrated connection to the Northern Rivers for projects up to $15,000. This fee includes concept design, professional artist fees, all production costs and insurances. For early career artists or artists who feel they would benefit from additional support, mentorship is available across concept ideation, production and presentation.
+ Open Projects
SITE LAB // Small Gestures Towards Infinity
COMMISSIONING STREAMS
SITE LAB invites continuous dialogue in the public arena via experimental and site specific responses to our regional, post flood landscape. The Northern Rivers has historically endured adversity with natural disasters at catastrophic levels. SITE LAB provides temporary spaces for community connection and critical discourse, and positions contemporary art practice at the forefront of the region’s recovery. Two commissioning streams are offered to support the development of new work to be presented in 2023.
For Australian artists for projects up to $20,000. This fee includes concept design, professional artist fees, all production costs and insurances. Visiting artists must demonstrate links/understandings of the experience of the Northern Rivers context.
ARTWORK LOCATIONS
This program supports artists working across any public art form including but not limited to installation, ephemeral art, intervention, video/projection/digital media, collaboration and socially engaged/participatory practice. Artists must consider how their work is contextualised in public space and align with one or more of the Curatorial Objectives. All commissioned works will exist for a limited time with a presentation period of up to three months.
Locations with high visibility and pedestrian traffic will be prioritised. Areas may include the main streets in flood affected CBDs, unused spaces, empty shop units or green gathering spaces such as the Lismore Quadrangle, and the buildings within its vicinity. Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery will provide support for site use such as contracts with property owners, road closures or permits as required.
FUNDING
ART FORMS & ARTWORK DURATION
Arts Northern Rivers will provide overall management of the program and offer direct support to artists via mentorship, sourcing presentation sites, marketing, professional documentation of works, obtaining permits or any other reasonable project-specific service that supports their ambitions. Artists will be required to develop concept designs and rationale, and manage and coordinate the production of their artworks in consultation with the project team.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
MATERIALS & MAINTENANCE
PROJECT DELIVERY & SUPPORT
SITE LAB // Small Gestures Towards Infinity
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, with financial and in kind support from Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery.
Successful artists will be required to enter into a Commissioning Agreement with Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery.
Commissioned works will be presented in public locations in Lismore CBD and across the wider Northern Rivers region. Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery will work with artists to secure sites in relation to the artist's interests and presentation requirements. Artists are encouraged to consider their work in new contexts. It is not a requirement for artists to have a confirmed site prior to engaging in the program.
Artists are encouraged to explore any materials that are appropriate to the artwork location and reflect the temporal or durational lifespan of their project. Sustainable options or materials with lives beyond the project should be considered. All materials and construction, installation and presentation methods used in the artwork must not represent public health or safety hazards or obstruct the operation of any services or access ways in the area. Artists may need to consider temporary options for access to power.
+ Experimentation & critical discussion
Commission artworks that reflect our communities by supporting artists of diverse abilities, races, genders, cultures and backgrounds. Develop artworks and arts experiences that are accessible to broad audiences.
SITE LAB // Small Gestures Towards Infinity
CURATORIAL OBJECTIVES
+ First Nations
+ Access & inclusion
Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery will develop and deliver this program in alignment with the following Curatorial Objectives:
Consider public space as a LAB/testing ground for real time experimentation, creative collaboration and site based research. Engage audiences in everyday life and invite critical discussion via new spatial encounters. Commission dynamic and innovative artworks in public space that pushes boundaries across development and presentation methods, research, community engagement, material choices, digital outcomes or intangible mediums such as sound or smell.
+ Creative recovery & the provision of hope
Support First Nations artists and communities to celebrate Indigenous stories, histories and culture. Strengthen self determination, promote presence and support the cultural continuation of Bundjalung, Yaegl and Githabul storytelling, language and practices.
Offer a non traditional, open brief commissioning model in the wake of creative recovery to build the capacity of the local arts and cultural sector. Deliver contemporary art as a conduit for hope and assist in the imaginative recovery of our flood affected communities. Prioritise care practices and nurture the creative ambitions of artists via flexible project development, mentorship and direct support. Provide opportunities for artists to connect with and develop new audiences through collective experience.
Support Australian artists to critically respond to the site, situation and circumstance of public space. Develop spatial encounters and creative experiences that physically and conceptually intervene in non traditional presentation spaces. Connect with the cultural, social, environmental, contemporary and/or historical contexts of our region.
+ Contemporary, site-responsive practices
SELECTION PROCESS
Artists and collectives are invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI) via an online application form, which will include:
A panel of respected arts professionals with local connections and experience in art in public space will assess the EOI applications in response to the selection criteria.
SITE LAB // Small Gestures Towards Infinity
●6-10 examples of previous work – i.e. images (up to 10mb total), video work (up to 10 minutes total) and/or hyperlinks to digital platforms
● Up to 800 words about your practice, how it extends to public space and how it aligns with at least one of the SITE LAB Curatorial Objectives
● Indicative budget
● Artist CV
For application support or any questions regarding the program, please contact Arts Northern Rivers Project Manager, Grace Dewar: grace@artsnorthernrivers.com.au
APPLICATION PROCESS
SELECTION CRITERIA WEIGHTING 1 Artistic experience and excellence and ability to create contemporary artworks 40% 2 Suitability of practice in public space/temporary activations 30% 3 Connection to the Curatorial Objectives 30%
● Brief outline of site interests – i.e. indicate your interests in public space. This may include a location in the Northern Rivers and/or any specific presentation interests i.e. a green space, an unused building, a billboard
Deadline 28 September 2022