Firstdraft Depot Affordable Studios

Firstdraft Depot is a new studio complex in the heart of Woolloomooloo offering affordable studios to emerging and experimental artists, along with a diverse calendar of activities for artists and communities.

The next round of applications close: 14th May, 2012

Download an Application Form [PDF]

Firstdraft Depot is studio complex in the heart of Woolloomooloo offering affordable studios to emerging and experimental artists, along with a diverse calendar of activities for artists and communities.

Firstdraft Depot provides flexible and affordable studio workspaces for six emerging and experimental artists through the Affordable Studio Residency Program, as well as housing Firstdraft’s two Emerging Artist Studio Program artists (supported by the Australia Council for the Arts). The Depot also provides access to an independent artist-run printing press (Big Fag Press & RUNWAY Magazine) and a project space/workshop room/gallery.

There are 6 studios, approximately 3m x 3m with partition walls in a shared space. 3 studio residencies will be offered in each round.

Studio access hours are currently limited to 8am to 10 pm. Studios are non‐residential. Residency terms are 6 months only, and it costs $50 a week + $200 refundable deposit.

1 in 3 studio spaces will be allocated quarterly to a ‘City of Sydney’ local artist/resident, with preference to City East (Woolloomooloo, Kings Cross and Potts Point). Successful artists are asked to run a workshop and partake in critique sessions

Eligibility

• For the purpose of this application you must consider yourself to be an ‘emerging artist’ (in the first 5 years of your practice) or be engaged in specific ‘experimental’ practice articulated in your application proposal.
• Applicants should be committed to a career in the visual arts and be able to afford to consistently pay the weekly rent and a bond.
• All applicants must be able to work in a shared studio environment.
• Firstdraft will consider applications from any Australian citizen meeting selection criteria regardless of ethnicity and gender.
• Artists working across interdisciplinary, new media and collaborative practices are encouraged to apply.
• Artists commit to, in return for their subsidised rent, contributing to the Studio Blog and running at least 1 community/artist workshop in the Project Space during their residency (this can be on a topic of their choosing e.g. experimental drawing, animation, etc)

Further details

• Successful applicants will be expected to enter into a contract with Firstdraft prior to commencing the program, which will include the studio and exhibition loan agreement and requirements for exhibiting in the space, as well as payment of a studio deposit
• Firstdraft Depot will be an active creative hub, engaging a dialogue with the local community, so artists willing to give a one-off workshop during their residency will be given preference.
• Firstdraft Depot will host a broad program of community events and workshops including open days, workshops and forums, allowing studio artists an opportunity to show work, gain feedback and further develop a profile in both the Sydney arts scene and local community.
• Artists should be willing to contribute to the Firstdraft Depot studio blog on an ongoing basis, expanding the conversation around studio and collaborative/community practice.
• If the number of applications in any one call-out round are insufficient or of very poor quality, previous unsuccessful applicants of very strong quality may be contacted and offered a studio.

The next round of applications close: 14th May, 2012

Download Tips for Applications [PDF]

Applications must arrive by the deadline: by mail or hand delivered into mailbox addressed to:
Affordable Studios
Firstdraft Depot
13-17 Riley St
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011