Photo credit: Jessica Wilson Project: Silk created by Jessica Wilson.
Guidelines
ArtPlay New Ideas Lab supports proposals of new work between $10,000 to $20,000 (artists’ fee together with consumable materials and specialist equipment).
We encourage new ideas from artists of all disciplines for creative projects where children and/or families will be the co-creators. A new idea means a brand new work seeded at ArtPlay.
Artists do not necessarily need experience in working with children but a passion and enthusiasm for involving children in the creative process is essential.
Your proposed development workshops and project outcome may take place at the venue or online as part of the ArtPlay program. The venue includes: the multi-purpose space on ground level 16,000 mm x 8500 mm, ideal for interactive performances and workshops, the mezzanine - situated upstairs overlooking the multi-purpose space, 21,640 mm x 6420 mm and/or ArtPlay’s outdoor precinct. (A virtual tour is available.) Online projects must take place on an appropriate and secure platform and will be accessed via the ArtPlay website (but not hosted on the website itself). Please specify where you imagine your project taking place in your application.
Four projects will be supported. For one of these, as part of an ArtPlay Family Services initiative, we would like to support a project that engages culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families with children 1 to 5 years of age and we strongly encourage artists and producers from CALD backgrounds to apply. Please note that this project is required to work with the same group of families over the course of the project and it must be delivered July to September - with a showing as part of Children’s Week 23 to 31 October 2021 (exact dates to be confirmed). The other three successful New Ideas Lab projects will be delivered September 2021 to May 2022.
The initial application process is easy - tell us about your idea and complete a budget outlining fees and materials required. If you have limited to no experience in working with children and/or if you are an emerging artist you will need to budget for a mentor.
If you are short-listed you will have the opportunity to 'pitch' the idea straight to a panel that includes children, artists and ArtPlay staff (either at the venue or on zoom dependent on Covid-19 restrictions). The panel’s job is to assess the idea based on the criteria detailed below and, if you are successful, the ArtPlay team will partner with you to realise your project as a part of ArtPlay’s public program between September 2021 and May 2022. Being part of ArtPlay’s public program means you will be developing your project with ArtPlay audiences.
Your proposal will be assessed on the following criteria:
- a brand new work seeded with ArtPlay
- actively engaging children and/or families as co-creators (include how you will do this)
- features environmentally sustainable practices
- well-articulated concept (including envisaged outcomes)
- original and high quality with potential for future presentation
- a feasible budget (please consider from the start if your work needs a mentor, producer, production manager, stage manager etc.)
- allows time for planning, self-reflection and evaluation (ensure you are realistic with what you propose).
ArtPlay’s New Ideas Lab program supports artists and children to work together to develop new arts experiences for children and families. In order to facilitate and focus on this, each project will go through three stages of development ‘Dreaming,’ ‘Making’ and ‘Showing’. There must be a minimum of two workshops in each stage where creative input from children is sought.
As a guide, we require the participation of approximately one child per $100 of budget (this could be through workshops, exhibitions and installations at the venue or online).
Please refer to
past and
current EOI projects to see examples of the type of work ArtPlay has previously supported.
Photo credit: Sarah Walker Project:Obang by Youbi Lee and Yee Wen Soo