The Declan Apuatimi / J Bird Public Art Fellowship
The Declan Apuatimi/J Bird Public Art Fellowship aims to support professional development opportunities for contemporary artists with an identifiable commitment to achieving innovation and excellence in public art practice.
The successful Fellow will strive to extend their arts practice to a new level, explore new processes and methods and make a significant contribution to public art in the Northern Territory.
For the purposes of the Fellowship the definition of further study may include formal and informal study such as University-based study, or a structured residency with a national and/or international organisation or recognised artist. The definition of further study is not restricted to create flexibility for applicants to develop proposals that are aligned with current projects and/or address individual and unique professional development requirements.
For the purposes of the Fellowship a professional artist is defined as a person who has extensive experience in public art practice and can demonstrate a course of development and presentation of their work over a minimum of five years.
Valued at $20,000 the fellowship will be peer assessed, and will be offered to all Northern Territory practicing professional artists on an annual basis.
The Award is named after two prominent NT artists:
Declan Apuatimi (1930-1985)
Declan Apuatimi was greatly admired by his fellow Tiwi as an exceptional dancer, song man and a painter. He was proficient in making a range of cultural items for his own use but it was his carving skills that established his reputation far beyond his island home. He adapted this traditional technique to making smaller sculptures when the Bathurst Island mission first encouraged people to make items from sale in the 1960s. By the 1980s Declan had become one of the best-known and most prolific carvers working on the islands and was the first Tiwi artist to be honoured with a solo exhibition, a biographical catalogue and to feature in a documentary.
J Bird (Janice Tidmarsh) (1959-2004)
The well-known Darwin artist J Bird died in a car accident twenty kilometres from Katherine in 2004. J Bird was a passionate artist who won the Sculpture by the Sea Award in 1998. She was a valued member of the Darwin art community and dear friend and colleague to many in Darwin and beyond. J Bird was originally from Mata Mata in New Zealand and moved to the Northern Territory in the mid-1980s where she established her art career.
Objectives
- Benefit the artist’s career from further artistic growth through study, training or professional development
- Professional development opportunities
- Extend the artist’s current art practise
- Recognise the outstanding achievements of the artist
- Benefit the Northern Territory community through excellence in public art practice
Eligibility
- Individuals only
- Northern Territory resident - minimum residence period of three years
- Practising artists with a commitment to and experience in public art practice
- A minimum of five years practise in public art
Assessment Criteria
- A detailed plan of the professional development program including proposed outcomes as well as a proposed budget .
- Statement of potential benefits for the artist's professional career.
- Artist’s profile and curriculum vitae.
- Demonstrated commitment to the Northern Territory through artistic practice.
- Calibre and relevance of the supporting artist or collaborating organisation including letters of support and commitment from the relevant mentor or organisation.
- Where relevant, confirmation of enrolment in relevant study/professional development programs.
Projects involving Indigenous artists, or community involvement, must include evidence of appropriate consultation, agreement or support.
Some examples of eligible activities
- Mentorships
- National/international residencies/exchanges
- Extended programs of professional or skills development
- Educational institution study/training programs
Funding Limit
- One $20,000 grant awarded each financial year
Closing Date
- Applications for the Fellowship will close on 15 March each year
- Notification will occur before 30 June each year
- Proposed activity must commence on or after 1 July of that year
- Activity should be completed within twelve months of commencment
