APPLICATIONS are now open for the Art Gallery of Ballarat\u2019s 2023 Backspace exhibition program.<\/p>\n
Set to feature works by emerging artists, the program is now in its 10th year and gallery director Louise Tegart said it offers an opportunity for artists to develop their careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe provide them with a taster of what it\u2019s like to display in a public gallery, and we give them support with marketing and promotion,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking at people in their first five to 10 years who\u2019ve maybe had a few exhibitions locally, but for whom this is their first foray into a professional setting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to get their work out there and get them thinking about what they need to do to progress further.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s gallery received about 90 applications for nine spots on the 2022 Backspace roster, and a similar number of places will be available for 2023\u2019s openings.<\/p>\n
An external judge will be recruited to assess the works alongside the gallery\u2019s staff, who will evaluate the works based on their quality and theme.<\/p>\n
Although there are no set requirements for an exhibition, favour will be given towards works with a connection to community events like NAIDOC Week or Harmony Fest.<\/p>\n
Successful applicants for 2023 will be announced in June and Ms Tegart said she sees Backspace as an extension of the gallery\u2019s support for the arts community.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight from our Early Start program, which is for little kids aged two and onwards, to everything else in our yearly showings, we\u2019re about providing pathways for artists,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had people that have displayed at Backspace that have gone on to be shown in other regional galleries or they\u2019ve gone on to have ongoing careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about providing lifelong learning and lifelong opportunities so this exhibition really fits that trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n
Applications close at 5pm on Sunday, 8 May, and artists can submit via the gallery\u2019s website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
APPLICATIONS are now open for the Art Gallery of Ballarat\u2019s 2023 Backspace exhibition program. Set to feature works by emerging artists, the program is now in its 10th year and gallery director Louise Tegart said it offers an opportunity for artists to develop their careers. \u201cWe provide them with a taster of what it\u2019s like […]<\/p>\n