The Sweet Seat
Expression of Interests are now open for The Sweet Seat – a new opportunity for a producer seeking a welcoming and creative environment to undertake their own producing practice with meaningful organisational support between two distinct arts venues based in Naarm.
About the Program
Hot desk duration: 5 months, July – November 2023
Hours: during work hours, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Fees: $2,000 stipend and $500 mental health allowance
For: This is an identified opportunity for First Nations, PoC, D/deaf, Disabled, and neurodiverse independent producers and producers based in small to medium organisations.
Expression of Interests are now open for The Sweet Seat – a new opportunity for a producer seeking a welcoming and creative environment to undertake their own producing practice with meaningful organisational support between two distinct arts venues based in Naarm.
As the Sweet Seat producer, you will have access to a hot desk at both Arts House and Footscray Community Arts for up to 5 months in an open plan workspace, with opportunity for mentorship and mutual learning through conversation, shadowing and osmosis.
The Sweet Seat is open to a producer at any stage of their career and is suitable for people wanting the connection of a work environment in a creative venue, whilst having autonomy to work on their own projects and pursuits.
This program has been modeled on pvi collective’s the sweet seat residency. It aims to foster a collegial working environment and encourages community, connection and capacity building for producers of contemporary arts.
The Sweet Seat producer will receive a stipend of $2,000 and a mental health allowance of $500. This is a pilot program with one hot desk opportunity available in 2023.
EOIs are open to local, interstate or visiting international producers.
Arts House will provide:
- Hot-desk for up to 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) at Arts House Creative Office in North Melbourne
- 1 hour mentorship meeting with an Arts House team member of your choice each month
- Professional advice and networking
- Opportunity to attend select marketing, creative and production meetings, and project showings at Arts House
- Complimentary tickets to select performances
- Free WIFI, access to printer and amenities
- Close to public transport, North Melbourne and Melbourne city
Footscray Community Arts will provide:
- Hot-desk for up to 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) at Footscray Community Arts in the Inner West
- 1 hour mentorship meeting with a Footscray Community Arts team member each month
- Professional advice and networking
- Opportunity to attend select marketing, creative and production meetings, and project showings at Footscray Community Arts
- Complimentary tickets to events where appropriate
- Free WIFI, access to printer and amenities
- Close to public transport and Footscray CBD
There is no expectation or remit to work on Arts House or Footscray Community Arts programs.
Key Dates
- EOIs Open: Tues 17 Jan 2023, 9am AEST
- EOIs Close: Mon 20 Feb 2023, 5pm AEST
- Notification: 14 March 2023
- Host Desk Date: July – November 2023
How to Apply
You can submit your EOI in the format that is easiest for you.
- Written
- Video
- Auslan video (we can arrange interpretation of your video if needed)
- Audio
Please complete your EOI online here by Monday 20 Feb 2023, 5pm AEST.
Please contact us prior to the closing date if you need:
- an extension
- to submit your EOI outside of SmartyGrants including recorded conversation on zoom or another format for access reasons.
EOI Questions
In your expression of interest, we’d like to know a bit about you and your producing practice and why you’d like to undertake this residency at this time.
Please address the following questions:
- Outline your producing practice: who are you, what do you do, and why do you do it?
- What are the project(s) or areas of enquiry you will work on during your time with Arts House and Footscray Community Arts?
- What support would you like from us whilst hot desking?
- Do you have any access requests or support requirements to participate in this program?
Positions will be selected by the Arts House and Footscray Community Arts creative teams.
About the Workspaces
Arts House
The Sweet Seat workspace at Arts House is located at North Melbourne Town Hall in an open place office where the creative team is based. The creative team is made up of Creative Producers, Co-Artistic Directors, an Artistic Associate and Program Manager with different lived experiences and cultural backgrounds. The workspace includes access to free WIFI, amenities such as printer, desk and drawers, shared kitchen and toilets.
Arts House is located in North Melbourne, on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin nation. North Melbourne Town Hall was built in 1876, and repurposed for its current use as a contemporary arts space after a long campaign from key leaders in the North Melbourne community.
More information about getting to Arts House.
Footscray Community Arts
The Sweet Seat workspace at Footscray Community Arts is located in a large open place office with Footscray Community Arts’ program, marketing and ArtLife teams. The workspace includes access to free WIFI, amenities such as printer, shared desk (another staff member will be using the desk on the other days), shared kitchen and toilets.
Situated on the unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people, Footscray Community Arts is an independent arts precinct established in 1974 by artists, unionists and other community activists with a clear agenda of access for all. This group of founders successfully advocated for state and federal funding to establish an arts centre responsive to the social and cultural needs of Footscray’s marginalised and disadvantaged communities. Each year, we support, develop and present contemporary arts in collaboration with our communities of focus: First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTIQA+ and artists with disability and connect with an engaged audience.
You can read more about the Footscray Community Arts story and getting to the centre.
Got a Question?
Arts House contact:
Sarah Rowbottam, Creative Producer
sarah.rowbottam@melbourne.vic.gov.au
03 9322 3720 (voice only) during business hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm AEST.
National Relay Service (NRS)
TTY users: phone 13 36 77 – then ask for – 03 9322 3720
Speak and Listen users: phone 1300 555 727 – then ask for – 03 9322 3720
Internet relay users: connect to the NRS (www.internet-relay.nrscall.gov.au) – then type in – 03 9322 3720
Footscray Community Arts Centre contact:
Asha Bee Abraham, Industry Development Manager
asha@footscrayarts.com
+61 3 9362 8804 (voice only) during business hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm AEST.
National Relay Service (NRS)
TTY users: phone 13 36 77 – then ask for – 03 9362 8804
Speak and Listen users: phone 1300 555 727 – then ask for – 03 9362 8804
Internet relay users: connect to the NRS (www.internet-relay.nrscall.gov.au) – then type in – 03 9362 8804