Better Together: Artist Collectives
A morning of talks and networking for artists from across the Wide Bay region.
Artist collectives and artist run initiatives have a long and enduring legacy in Australia’s art ecosystem, supporting the careers of some of our most significant artists.
In this morning of talks and networking, artists from across the Wide Bay region are invited to hear about the different ways artist collectives provide support and opportunities to both their members and the broader community through innovative models.
Collectives can take many forms and allow artists to pool their resources, build their networks, share and develop their practices, seek out funding and exhibition opportunities, create partnerships, and find different ways to present exhibitions, projects and events outside of existing institutions.
Artist collectives and organisations operating in regional Queensland will share their organisational models, successes and challenges—from a regional retail collective, to an artist run initiative curating exhibitions in an old police lock-up.
Join us for a thought-provoking and inspirational morning.
Schedule:
9.30-10.30: Paul Andrew on Queensland Artist Run Inititaives past and present
10.30-11am: Morning tea break
11-11.20pm: Setting up for success
In this Q&A with Sheryl Connors-Young (former manger of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, Manager Indigenous Programs at Australian Museum, 1990-2013), Ashleigh Whatling (HBRG, former Board member of Sawtooth ARI) and Llewellyn Millhouse (HBRG, co-founder of Outer Space) hear practical advice and tips on how to set up, manage and create succession plans for your collective
11.30-12.30pm: Case studies of collective models and alternative presentation modes presented by:
- Sharna Barker and June Sartracom, IN | Artist run initiative
- Luke Harriman, Creative Arts Gympie Region
- Carly Baker-Burnham, Harvest & Co.
- Phil Oakley, Bundaberg Art Prize
- Mark Brose, Hervey Bay Art Society
Between case studies hear about artist opportunities and where to find them with:
- Regional Arts Development Fund
- Regional Arts Services Network
Biographies:
Paul Andrew:
Paul Andrew is an artist researcher, senior media artist, video artist and artist curator with experience in social practice, site-generated ephemeral practice and media art making using remix, assemblage, bricolage and collage techniques. Drawing on a current doctoral research project at QUT is increased practitioner interest in scavenger methodologies and queer time. These concepts and techniques are employed for making archival art initiatives in varied and variable cultural forms. Paul has been practicing and exhibiting professionally since 1984.
IN | artist run inititiave at the Old Lockup:
IN | artist run initiative is a multi-disciplinary arts platform based on Kabi Kabi Country (Sunshine Coast). We're about new ideas, new conversations, new forms. IN | is a collective with more questions than answers- premise pushing through curiosity and driven by the region’s increasing appetite for rigorous, agile and critical contemporary arts dialogue.
Creative Arts Gympie Region:
Creative Arts Gympie Region (CAGR) is a volunteer-run, not-for profit organisation focussed on strengthening the Gympie Region as leaders in the arts through the shared ambition of its artists and the leveraging of local cultural and environment resources. We seek opportunities within the region’s boundaries and beyond to enhance the careers and aspirations of artists and creative businesses based in our region. Within two short years, and a global pandemic, CAGR has developed a brand and a profile within the community, built a strong and engaged membership base, secured various project funding, worked in partnership with local government, activated spaces for exhibitions and events, participated in consultation processes on behalf of the sector and provided employment opportunities for local artists wherever possible. In September 2021, CAGR opened the Alluvial Gallery, a new contemporary exhibition space and creative hub supporting local artists, however this space was destroyed by the devastating flood event in February 2022. Following this, a new strategic plan has been developed to lead the development of the arts in the Gympie Region without being tied to any specific space or art form.
Harvest and Co.:
Harvest & Co Collective is an artist collective based in the rural town of Monto, in the beautiful North Burnett region. Harvest & Co was co-created by three creative local women and operated under the auspice of The Rex Monto. The Rex is a profit for purpose arts and cultural organisation which fosters The Arts and is restoring an Art Deco theatre in the communities main shopping street. Harvest & Co Collective operates as a blended model of commission-based art and retail products, all of which are curated beautifully and gathered under the principles of local, handmade and unique. The purpose of the collective is to enhance The Arts and culture in Monto by providing artists a platform to sell and exhibit their products, and to raise funds for the restoration project of The Rex Theatre. Harvest & Co is currently experiencing a pause in operation. The store has a basic online presence, however the shop front has closed as the next iteration of the project takes place.
Bundaberg Art Prize:
Since its inception in 2019 the Bundaberg Art Prize has taken the bold move to hold its annual exhibition using vacant shops in the Bundaberg CBD. With over 400 artworks to display and over $20,000 in prize money to give away, following the “empty shop” model is not for the faint hearted but is ultimately very rewarding.
Hervey Bay Art Society:
Gallery 5, home of Hervey Bay Art Society is the ‘Artbeat’ of our community. Offering the largest range of artworks for sale in the Bay. Each week day is a hive of activity with art classes and social art groups on every morning & afternoon. There are activities on offer for the beginning artists through to the most experienced. HBAS is proud of its community focus.
Supporters:
The Regional Arts Services network is an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. CQUniversity is serving as the Central Queensland RASN Provider from 2022 – 2025.
