The Yarra Youth Services’ Artist in Residence (AIR) program is an opportunity for emerging artists aged 20 – 25 years to expand and professionalise their arts practice, gain experience facilitating workshops for young people, and be an active part of a creative community.

The residency provides an emerging artist with:

• an allocated desk in the Yarra Youth Service’s art studio for 12 months,
• support and guidance from Youth Arts Officers, and
• the opportunity to present work in a group exhibition at a public gallery towards the end of their residency.

The studio space accommodates up to 4 artists, depending on their practice. Each AIR will be assigned a desk in the arts studio, sharing space with the other AIRs as well as young people occasionally using the space to work on art projects. As part of the residency, each Artist In Residence will be engaged to develop and deliver a term of visual arts program Open Studios (9-10 x 2 hour workshops), providing artistic support and guidance to young people ages 12-25 years old. The Artist in Residence will receive support and mentorship from the Youth Arts Officers to plan and facilitate these workshops. Facilitators will be paid at current NAVA rates.

An artist residency allows artists to work in a new environment, and be provided with time and space to develop their practice and experiment with new work. Having a studio located at Yarra Youth Services is a unique opportunity to work with and alongside young people and peers, as well as tap into the local arts ecology with the support of the Youth Arts Officers.

Who we're looking for

This is a self-directed residency and is ideal for artists who want to explore new ideas both independently and through collaborations. All artistic and creative mediums are welcome.

This artist residency is for young people who are:

• 20-25 years old during the duration of the residency.
• Have an artistic practice (this includes visual mediums, writing, and interdisciplinary practices).
• Live, work, or study in the City of Yarra (or have a strong connection to the City of Yarra).
• Available to commit to a 12-month studio placement, ideally accessing the studio at least 1-3 days per week.
• Available to attend scheduled mentoring sessions and catch-up meetings.

Yarra Youth Services will also work with the Artist in Residence towards developing a tailored plan that will provide each artist with a blueprint for goal setting for the year. Youth Arts Officers will work with the Artist in Residence towards securing exhibiting and other creative and professional development opportunities during their residency. Through the Artists in Residences program, previous AIRs have exhibited at West Space, Gertrude Street Projection Festival, Seventh Gallery, ACU Gallery, and have facilitated arts workshops at local schools.

We’re looking for:

• Demonstrated commitment to your arts practice.
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively, respectfully use a shared space, and be an active part of the youth centre community

Outcomes for artists

• Access to arts studio space including desk, use of wifi, office printing, and access to digital media lab (including use of Adobe Suite, Ableton, and projectors), and screenprint-making equipment and sewing machines.
• Access to the arts storeroom and materials.
• Opportunities for collaborations with peers and artists with diverse practices.
• Participation in an end of residency group exhibition with their AIR peers (venue and date TBC)
• Connection to City of Yarra-based arts programs, organisations, and communities, including local galleries and library services.
• Paid experience and support facilitating one term of weekly visual arts workshop Open Studios (Thursdays 4-6pm) at Yarra Youth Services for young peoples ages 12-25. These workshops will be paid at NAVA rates.
• One-on-one goal setting sessions from Youth Arts Officers and tailored professional development opportunities.

Expression of interest (EOI) requirements

To apply, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) that includes an overview of your artistic practice, ideas of how you want to engage with young people, artist CV, and a portfolio of your work.

Alternatively, you may respond in a video (up to 5min), or a creative essay (visual, written, comic…It’s up to you!). Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising of Youth Arts Officers, former Artists In Residence and Yarra City Council staff.

We strongly encourage you to talk to one of the Youth Arts Officers before you submit an application. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a session of Open Studios, held at Yarra Youth Services on Thursdays 4-6pm.

All applicants will need to provide proof of a current Working with Children’s Check. Please note that a current Working with Children’s Check is required for the residency. If you do not currently have one, please note that your successful engagement will depend upon your commitment to having one completed – the Youth Arts Officers can help you with this application.