Unfolding: an Art Writing Group
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Due 9 August

The George Paton Gallery will host a fortnightly workshop series, Unfolding:, throughout Semester 2 for emerging art writers, critics and artists. Participants will respond to the theme "The State of the Arts", developing a new piece of writing for publication in a collection produced by the gallery at the end of the year.  Besides the resulting publication of art and writing, the workshop also hopes to cultivate enduring connections between the participants and their practice. 

Each workshop will include a space for discussing art writing and criticism, featuring collaborative writing exercises and opportunities for feedback, as well as dedicated time for participants to write towards their publication piece. The workshops will also feature sessions hosted by guest art writers.

Workshop Dates
W1: Wednesday 19 August: 4.30-6.30pm
W2: Wednesday 2 September: 4.30-6.30pm
W3: Wednesday 16 September: 4.30-6.30pm
W4:  Wednesday 7 October: 4.30-6.30pm

Workshop Location
In person, Arts Lab, Level 1 Building 159, Arts & Cultural, University of Melbourne

APPLY NOW

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The theme of “The State of the Arts” can explore, but is not limited to the following: 

• Is there a current thread or trend you have noticed emerging in the arts world that you want to define, defend, and/or critique?

• Is your arts practice responding to an aspect of the state of the arts? How would you like to expand, define and critique these currents in relation to the arts?

• What are some disaffections and dissatisfactions you have within the visual arts and their institutions? How are we as art writers, critics and creatives supposed to respond to them?

• Was there an exhibition that presented a conceptual idea you want to explore? Or even a broader idea about art presentation you would like to speak to?

• Did you discover a new artist/art practice at GPG or another art institution/artist-run space that you would like to speak to (interview, collaborative text, how they have impacted your ways of thinking, writing and making etc?)

• Was there a workshop or program you attended at the GPG that got you thinking?

• Were there any exhibitions, curatorial decisions, programming at GPG, or another artist-run space that has influenced your art writing or practice?

• Is there something from the GPG’s history, archives, or collection that resonates contradicts with the arts today that you want to uncover or share? 

These ideas could take shape as creative text-based responses, such as: critical essays, case studies, ekphrastic writing, creative non-fiction, and criticism (we encourage you to play with form).

To apply for this workshop series, please submit your short pitch (2-3 sentences) or ideas related to—or expanding upon—the prompt via the jotform link here. 

Accessibility is very important to us at the George Paton Gallery. If you'd like to discuss your access needs, or would like to submit another way,  please don't hesitate to reach out to Arts Programs Officer Chantelle Mitchell - chantelle.mitchell@union.unimelb.edu.au for a chat.