The Guildhouse Fellowship FAQ

What is the definition of a mid-career artist?

Some “mid-career” definitions refer to the number of years of sustained professional practice. In this instance, we are more interested in the culmination of years of artistic experience, the artist’s body of work, the level of industry/peer recognition and how this relates to the applicant’s self-description as a mid-career practitioner.

Typically, artistic or creative practice follows formal training. Where an applicant does not have formal training, the cementing of their practice is commonly marked by a recognition of the artist’s body of work and their commitment to ongoing practice. An artist’s career is not always linear and there may be periods of time when the applicant has withdrawn from artistic practice for personal, financial or family reasons. To calculate their definition of a mid-career practitioner, the applicant should combine periods of active and continuous practice.

This application process recognises that many artists, with or without formal training, are working in new territories which may not be defined as a single arts practice. An artist may have held several roles within their arts practice and should include this when calculating the years of practice. For instance, an artist may have a strong contemporary art, craft or design career and expand their practice to include a curatorial practice. For this application, all facets are considered.

South Australian Resident

A Fellowship applicant must reside in South Australia at the time of application. It is expected that the applicant resides in South Australia for most of their time and can demonstrate an established and active contribution to the South Australian visual arts community.

The Fellowship includes:

  • An artist fee of $50,000 paid directly to the artist
  • Payment of 12% superannuation
  • Professional documentation, managed by Guildhouse
  • A presentation at AGSA, planned in conjunction with the artist, AGSA and Guildhouse

What kind of presentation outcomes can I expect with the Art Gallery of South Australia, and how will I be supported to achieve this?

The presentation outcome is a valuable extension and celebration of the core intentions of the Fellowship. The presentation outcome can be varied and may consist of an exhibition, performance, event or display. Key milestone meetings between the artist, Guildhouse and AGSA staff will determine the shape of the presentation relevant to the artist’s practice in consultation with the AGSA curatorial team. 

What if the recipient is employed outside of their independent arts practice at the time of receiving the Fellowship?

The employment status of the recipient will not be considered in the selection process. A Fellow is free to earn other income during the Fellowship timeline; however, it is expected that the recipient can manage both their employment and responsibilities of the Fellowship with the timeline and expectations outlined. It is the artist’s responsibility to seek external advice to ensure they are taxed appropriately for their employment and Fellowship monies.

In what way will the Fellowship be transformative to my practice?

The impact of the Fellowship itself will be transformative to the artist’s career. The opportunity to commit fulltime to research and studio time, create new work and deliver a presentation outcome at AGSA will take an artist to a new level of intent and visibility.

Is the Fellowship tax deductible?

The Fellowship is a taxable income and will need to be claimed as an income to the ATO, in conjunction with any other taxable income the artist may have.

Can Fellows travel overseas during their Fellowship?

Fellows are encouraged to be ambitious within their application and overseas travel is encouraged as part of career development and research. Funds for travel must be considered within the $50,000 Fellowship artist fee.

Is the Fellow required to produce new work at the end of the Fellowship?

Yes. It is expected that the Fellow will produce new work during their Fellowship as a response to their research and experimentation.

Is a report or acquittal required at the end of the Fellowship?

The Fellow will be asked to provide a brief report including a financial summary, at the conclusion of the Fellowship. This report will outline the project undertaken by the Fellow and provide Guildhouse, AGSA and JDRF with valuable feedback on the program and its impact. Guildhouse will continue to track the Fellow along on their future career journey.

Are there any expectations around public engagement for the Fellow?

There will be occasions for the successful Fellow to address the media such as the announcement of the inaugural Fellow and around specific milestones, such as the presentation outcome at AGSA. The opportunity to actively contribute to public programming associated with the presentation outcome will be explored with AGSA. 

Who should be asked to write a Letter of Support?

The support letter should speak to the applicant’s prior experience, their aspirations, and the benefit of this opportunity to the artist. This letter can be provided by an arts colleague (artist, curator, gallery director, mentor, collaborator) who has witnessed the trajectory of the artist’s career to date and can speak to the impact of the Fellowship to the artist’s future practice.

Who should be the referee?

The referee should be able to speak (from experience) to the strength of the artist’s artistic career to date and their capacity and commitment to undertake the Fellowship purposefully. The person providing the reference should be a well-regarded industry peer (such as an established artist, a gallery representative, a client, an academic supervisor, a program manager, a senior arts worker) with strong standing within the sector.

The referee should not be the same person providing the Letter of Support.

Where can I hear from past Fellows?

Hear firsthand from Guildhouse Fellows Troy-Anthony Baylis, Sera Waters and Liam Fleming about their experiences in the following recorded conversations with AGSA staff:

In Conversation with Troy-Anthony Baylis and Rhana Devenport
In Conversation with Sera Waters and Lisa Slade
In Conversation with Liam Fleming and Rebecca Evans
In Conversation with Troy-Anthony Baylis, Sera Waters and Liam Fleming

 

Images (L-R): Nomenclatures featuring works by Troy-Anthony Baylis, Art Gallery of South Australia, photograph Saul Steed