One of ten studio spaces
The studio spaces have been set up for a number of reasons:
- When artists finish their formal studies they often miss the supportive, critical feedback from other artists
- Artists say that they are more motivated with their work when they are surrounded by others who are highly motivated and producing exciting work
- There is less feeling of remoteness and isolation when working in an environment that is secure, safe and monitored
- Artists are often unable to afford to build their own studio spaces that are air-conditioned and well ventilated
- Artists are often more productive and less distracted when they are away from their own place of residence
- To provide affordable spaces to both emerging and established professional contemporary artists
- To support the development of the individual artist, their practice and contribution to the arts
- To improve the opportunities for artists within the local community
- To add to the vibrancy of the city by facilitating its exposure to high quality artists
- To expose the studio artists to other high profile Australian artists involved in the artist-in-residency program
- To promote the studio artists locally and nationally through The Art Vault and its website.
The studio spaces are open to people in the visual arts including artists and graphic designers. The letting of studio spaces will be on a 6 or 12 month basis. Studio space letting can be terminated at any time for unprofessional conduct, continuing unsafe work practice and for failure to work as part of a supportive team. The studio spaces will not be suitable for everyone - people who need certain types of specialist equipment and large spaces.
Benefits
of having a studio space
- Twenty-four hour access to a safe working environment
- Access to the gallery for showing and selling your work
- A lockable and air-conditioned new studio space
- Access to amenities such as toilets, kitchen, meeting and eating areas
- Access to internet, photocopying, printing and fax facilities
- A creative and supportive artistic environment where you are able to give and receive critical feedback
- Access to a printmaking studio with etching and lithography presses
- Ability to earn an income through working in the gallery
- Inclusion on The Art Vault website
- Exposure to national and international artists in residence
- Attendance at professional development courses delivered by visiting artist in residence
- An address for contact by prospective buyers
- Exposure through working in a prominent location and through people visiting the studio spaces
- Accessible by people with disabilities
- Size of the spaces provided
- Cost of purchasing the building
- Cost of repairs to the building
- Cost to owner - rates, insurances, electricity, maintenance, security system etc
- Cost of providing phone outlets, internet, eftpos, fax and photocopying facilities
- Cost of setting up a website, publishing brochures and advertising
- Cost associated with banking and accounting
- Fact that artists generally have low incomes
- Artist's ability to contribute to the profile of the gallery by providing work to be sold through the gallery which is both creative and of a high skill level
- Availability of spaces
- Willingness to actively participate in workshops run by artists in residence
- Artist's knowledge of art history and their willingness to learn about the work of other artists on show in The Art Vault
- Artist's professionalism and dedication to their work
- Artist's ability to work as part of a team and be supportive of other members
- Balance of art forms within the unit
- Mix of gender, age, career stage and experience
- Ability to work safely in the space provided
- Capacity of the person to pay a bond and rent in advance
- Willingness of the person to contribute to the smooth running of The Art Vault by giving time to The Art Vault by assisting with activities or duties that support and are of mutual benefit to the advancement and development of the Art Vault.
- The Artists willingness and availability to participate in special events such as open or promotional days which are held at The Art Vault. These may occur approximately 4 times a year and are necessary to promote The Art Vault, the studio artists, print workshop and the galleries to the local community and visitors.
- Demonstrated loyalty and support of The Art Vault
- Capacity to follow all of The Art Vault polices
- Studios 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 are $60 per week plus a bond of $200
- Studios 3 and 10 are for visiting artists in residence
Access
and keys
There will be 24 hr access to the studio spaces by Studio Artists via a swipe keypad. All entrances are alarmed and monitored by remote TV and an external security system. The galleries and printmaking areas are on a separate system to the studio spaces. Visitors are welcome but Studio Artists will need to make the appropriate arrangements for their access to the building. Studio Artists will be responsible for their visitors while they are in the building and Studio Artists will need to escort their visitors both to and from the building - to ensure that the building is properly secured. If you plan on using common spaces such as the kitchen and meeting room with your visitors, please check that this does not interfere with bookings in the diary at the front desk. You will need to book the meeting room and kitchen if you wish to use them with visitors to The Art Vault as booked functions have priority for use. No parties or functions are to be held at The Art Vault without prior approval of the director.
Common
spaces
Common spaces for Studio Artists include the kitchen, meeting room, toilets, sinks in the corridors and the enclosed external areas on the ground and first floor. The cleanliness of common areas is the responsibility of each person. If you make a mess then you are responsible for cleaning it up. In consideration of other Studio Artists this should be done immediately after use. If you would like to use the meeting room with people other than fellow Studio Artists then a booking system applies. Please contact gallery staff to ensure the meeting room is not being used on the date that you require it.
Confidentiality
No individual at The Art Vault will divulge any sensitive information outside the premises. This includes personal or business information related to any individual working within the building.
Copyright
The artist will allow The Art Vault to photograph work produced by them for insurance purposes and for the promotion of their work for sale in the gallery and on the website. The Art Vault will obtain permission to use the artist’s work in any other form of media advertising or for the reproduction of their work on, for instance, postcards.
Cost of studio spaces
Studios are $60 per week with a $200 refundable bond which is returned if the artist leaves the studio in the same condition it was received. Rent can be waived or reduced if the studio artist is willing to undertake one of the following three positions:
- Cleaner
- Print and workshop technician
- Caretaker and general assistant
Damage
All damage, loss or repair to the building or equipment needs to be reported to the Director as soon as it is noticed. Artists will need to fill out an incident report form, which is located in the Director's office, and give it to the Director. If the damage is caused through the artist not following The Art Vault policy or is not accidental then the person responsible for the damage must pay for the building's restoration.
Dispute Resolution
If any dispute or grievance arises it is to be dealt with in the following manner:
- Any matter should be discussed calmly by the aggrieved with the individual responsible for the aggravation. Both people should openly listen to the opinion of the other.
- If not settled then the Director or another agreed representative should be present for further discussion.
- If the matter is not resolved, then it must be submitted to an agreed mediator for the purpose of conciliation and mediation.
- If unsuccessful the parties may agree to submit the dispute to arbitration and the decision must be accepted by the parties involved
Documentation of Artwork
All artwork that enters the gallery or stockroom must be documented by the artist (300 dpi jpeg). The artist is to provide the gallery with a disc containing images ready for publication on the website and for provenance reports. They will also provide the gallery with all information regarding the artwork including size, title, medium, pricing and the date the artwork was completed. No work can enter the gallery without this documentation.
Electricity
Studio Artists are not required to pay for gas or electricity at this stage. This may change if the gas and electricity bills are substantial. This will be looked at again after the first financial quarter. When an artist leaves their studio they must ensure that they turn off all electrical appliances including lights and airconditioning.
Exhibition programming
Studio artists will be given preference in the exhibition program. Studio artist are encouraged to apply for an exhibition in the small gallery at least bi-annually. The cost of an exhibition for a studio artist is $420 which is a reduction of $100 of the normal fee. Studio artists will need to apply using the same guide lines as indicated on the website for exhibitions and their work will be presented to the selection committee and will undergo the same process as that of an external artist. Artists will be notified of an exhibition by mail. The selection committee will comprise of external and impartial members with experience in the arts industry.
Expenses
Expenses will only be reimbursed where there was prior authorization of the expenditure and a receipt is given to the director.
Gallery Loyalty
It is expected that Studio Artists will be loyal to The Art Vault. This means providing The Art Vault with consistently high quality work on a regular basis to be sold through The Art Vault and its website. The Art Vault must be their primary responsibility and focus for the sale of their work in Mildura. If a Studio Artist wishes to hold an exhibition or sell their work outside The Art Vault in Mildura then they are required to state clearly on all promotional and informational material that they are an Art Vault artist. Studio Artists must inform the Director of The Art Vault if they are selling work in another venue other than The Art Vault in Mildura. Work must not be sold in other situations for a lesser amount than the amount that would have been charged at The Art Vault.
Noise
restriction
Studio Artists need to be considerate of their neighbours and co-tenants in relation to noise levels both day and night. Work which requires ongoing, considerable noise should be carried out off the premises. Unless your co-tenants enjoy your music it is recommended that you wear headphones or keep your door closed and the music at a low level.
OH&S
All Studio Artists are required to know where folders containing safety data sheets are kept and to read data safety sheets. All artists are required to take note and obey all OH&S signage within the building. If an accident occurs then an Accident Report Form must be completed and handed to the elected OH&S officer who will inform the Director.
Open and other promotional days
It is expected that studio artists will be available of the duration of open and promotional days. These days are important for the promotion of The Art Vault within the community and nationally. These days enable visitors to tour the galleries, print workshops, studios and apartments (when they are free) and are crucial for the promotion of local studio artists. It is the artists interaction with the community that is valuable for the promotion and publicity of The Art Vault.
Phone
There will be phones available in the corridor outside of the studio spaces. Artists will be able to receive outside calls but will not be able to use The Art Vault's phones to phone out unless it is a business call. Personal external phone calls will need to be made on a mobile phone.
Printmaking
area
Studio Artists will have access to the printmaking facilities. All people who use the equipment will need to satisfy the requirements on the use of the equipment and the protocol for the room. The facilities will be available during the day only and on a booking system. This is so that printers will have unhampered access to the equipment and so that an assistant is available to be with you if required. It is a requisite that the gallery staff be notified by you when printing and that you complete the application form for the use of the print area. Each day is broken up into two half day sessions and all studio artists are required to pay a fee of $15 per session. Payment must be completed prior to using the area to the gallery staff. This is a fee to cover wear and tear of equipment, soap, paper towel, electricity costs etc. An additional fee of $20 per session is charged for the use of inks, tarlatan and chemicals unless you supply all of your own materials. Large sheets of printmaking editioning paper are $15 and small paper is $10 per sheet. You must ask staff prior to the use of any of our paper so that you can be allocated the correct paper as we have an assortment. A fee will be charged for the use of butchers and tissue paper. Studio Artists who edition prints must provide The Art Vault with two sets of the editioned prints.
Promotion of studio artists by The Art Vault
All Studio Artists will be included on the website for The Art Vault. The Art Vault management team will include works by Studio Artists in one of the Galleries or display spaces throughout the year. Studio Artists will be expected to provide a selection of work for this purpose. Works by the Studio Artists may be used in promotional activities by The Art Vault. Studio Artists are expected to display work openly in their studios for tours and other visitors to The Art Vault.
Rubbish
disposal
No rubbish is to be left inside or outside the studios. Bins are located on the ground floor at the rear of the building. A measure of reasonable cleanliness is to be observed at all times for occupational health and safety reasons. Please be aware of the comfort of other studio tenants and regularly dispose of rubbish which may smell or be potentially hazardous. Artists must use discretion as the plumbing system is delicate. Artists must use chemicals that are environmentally friendly whenever possible. Dispose of material and liquid waste appropriately and do not use residential sinks for disposal of pollutants.
Safety
Artists will properly use all safety and protective clothing and equipment provided and strictly observe all instructions in relation to working safely.
Smoking
There is a no illegal drug and no smoking policy within the building.
Termination
The lease for the studio space can be terminated by the Director for any of the following:
- Theft
- Fraud
- Assault
- Unsafe use of the premises due to: intoxication by alcohol or drugs; the unsafe handling of equipment or chemicals; and/or the non removal of litter which may cause an accident or fire within the building
- Ongoing work practices which interfere significantly with other Studio Artists or Artists in Residence, and their ability to work, excessive noise, visitors who are not adequately supervised by the Studio Artist, unwillingness to contribute to the general smooth functioning of the group
- Lack of confidentiality and/or disloyalty to The Art Vault directors, The Art Vault staff or fellow Art Vault artists.
- Wilful damage to the building or property
Vacating
Visitors and visiting Artists in Residence
It will be expected that all studio artists are helpful and friendly towards all visitors to The Art Vault and visiting Artists in Residence. Studio artists must not hinder or monopolise the thinking and working time of visiting Artists in Residence as their time outside of working hours is often the only chance they get to develop ideas. It would be expected that although visiting artists are often a valueable resource, it is impolite and unprofessional to use them for your own career promotion.