NEWS

SITE LAB // Small Gestures Towards Infinity is a commissioning project encouraging both local and national artists to reimagine, disrupt, transform and engage in public space. A pilot collaboration between Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery, SITE LAB is a series of temporary art projects presented in public locations across Lismore CBD and the wider Northern Rivers region.

SITE LAB invites continuous dialogue in the public arena via experimental and site-specific responses to our regional, post-flood landscape. The Northern Rivers has historically endured adversity with natural disasters at catastrophic levels. SITE LAB provides temporary spaces for community connection and critical discourse, and positions contemporary art practice at the forefront of the region’s recovery. Two commissioning streams are offered to support the development of new work to be presented in 2023.

Apply here. Applications Close September 28. Download Project Brief for more application information.

COMMISSIONING STREAMS

+ Mentored Projects

For artists based in or that have a strong demonstrated connection to the Northern Rivers for projects up to $15,000. This fee includes concept design, professional artist fees, all production costs and insurances. For early career artists or artists who feel they would benefit from additional support, mentorship is available across concept ideation, production and presentation.

+ Open Projects

For Australian artists for projects up to $20,000. This fee includes concept design, professional artist fees, all production costs and insurances. Visiting artists must demonstrate links/understandings of the experience of the Northern Rivers context.

CURATORIAL OBJECTIVES

Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery will develop and deliver this program in alignment with the following Curatorial Objectives:

+ First Nations

Support First Nations artists and communities to celebrate Indigenous stories, histories and culture. Strengthen self-determination, promote presence and support the cultural continuation of Bundjalung, Yaegl and Githabul storytelling, language and practices. 

+ Access & inclusion

Commission artworks that reflect our communities by supporting artists of diverse abilities, races, genders, cultures and backgrounds. Develop artworks and arts experiences that are accessible to broad audiences.

+ Creative recovery & the provision of hope

Offer a non-traditional, open-brief commissioning model in the wake of creative recovery to build the capacity of the local arts and cultural sector. Deliver contemporary art as a conduit for hope and assist in the imaginative recovery of our flood-affected communities. Prioritise care practices and nurture the creative ambitions of artists via flexible project development, mentorship and direct support. Provide opportunities for artists to connect with and develop new audiences through collective experience.

+ Contemporary, site-responsive practices

Support Australian artists to critically respond to the site, situation and circumstance of public space. Develop spatial encounters and creative experiences that physically and conceptually intervene in non-traditional presentation spaces. Connect with the cultural, social, environmental, contemporary and/or historical contexts of our region.

+ Experimentation & critical discussion

Consider public space as a LAB/testing ground for real-time experimentation, creative collaboration and site-based research. Engage audiences in everyday life and invite critical discussion via new spatial encounters. Commission dynamic and innovative artworks in public space that pushes boundaries across development and presentation methods, research, community engagement, material choices, digital outcomes or intangible mediums such as sound or smell.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, with financial and in-kind support from Arts Northern Rivers and Lismore Regional Gallery.