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                    Test Sites

                    A large cylindrical tank, with moss and greenery at its base.

                    ​​​Georgia Nowak, Channel, 2021/22, Evan Walker Bridge. Photo by Aaron Claringbold ​

                    Since 2016, the City of Melbourne’s Test Sites program has supported artists to explore and experiment with temporary creative ideas in the public realm.

                    Expressions of interest for Test Sites 2023 have now closed. Applications for Test Sites 2024 will open soon.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Test Sites program helps local artists test and develop their temporary public art ideas by providing practical advice, funding and support to work creatively in public space. The program increases local artists’ capability and confidence to work in the public realm through creative and professional development, support and mentoring, while engaging with the city, its sites and infrastructures as a place for creative expression. 

                    Successful artists receive funding of $5000 towards costs associated with participating in the program and testing a temporary public art idea. Artists participate in a series of collective workshops, receive mentoring and creative producing support and get practical advice to test their idea in the public realm.

                    Explore some of the most recent Test Sites projects.​

                    The program

                    ​Successful Test Sites artists will:  

                    • receive funding of $5000 towards costs associated with participating in the program and testing a temporary public art idea  
                    • participate in a series of collective workshops 
                    • receive mentoring and creative producing support sessions 
                    • receive practical support to test their idea in the public realm. ​

                    Selection criteria and process

                    ​A selection panel including industry peers and City of Melbourne’s Creative Urban Places team will assess each project proposal based on the following criteria: 

                    • Ideas that are compelling and clearly articulated.  
                    • Ideas that aim to activate the city in interesting and engaging ways.  
                    • Value of experience for applicant.  ​

                    Test Sites producers and mentors

                    ​The 2023 Test Sites program will be delivered by independent producers Arie Rain Glorie and Jedda Andrews who will also provide mentoring and support to participating artists. 

                    Jedda Andrews is a Producer, Creative Producer and Project Manager based in Melbourne, Australia. Jedda co-founded Ian Strange Studio with visual artist Ian Strange, whom she has been working with for over a decade. Andrews has a wealth of experience in developing and producing creative projects, including dynamic large-scale public artworks and community projects, exhibitions, interactive installations, sculptures, murals, films and photographic works. Over the past 12 years, she has produced works for cities and governments, arts organisations and institutions, private clients and festivals. Highlights include major exhibitions and installations at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Canterbury Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, FotoFocus, RMIT, and Cockatoo Island’s Turbine Hall. 

                    Arie Rain Glorie is an artist, curator and producer who experiments with exhibition-making, events and audience engagement. He has a passion for helping artists develop new and experimental work and learn new professional skills which contribute to a long-term career in the arts. He produces projects independently as well as for organisations in curation and programming roles, including Testing Grounds, Science Gallery and the Museums and Collections department at the University of Melbourne.   ​

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