Image of the dome

Applications are now open for artists, performers, filmmakers, writers, composers – or anyone with an interesting idea – to tap into the State Library’s rich collections through its annual Fellowships program.

This year, the State Library and its partners are offering 15 fellowships, collectively worth up to $237,000, making it one of the most substantial programs in Australia.

The program, now in its fifteenth year, includes special fellowships in children’s literature, digital media, Ukrainian studies, performing arts, visual arts and a fellowship to commemorate the centenary of WWI.

CEO Kate Torney said the Fellowships program draws individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and disciplines.

“Over the last 15 years we have provided around $2.1 million through our Fellowships program, enabling artists, historians, composers, playwrights and academics to delve into our collection and create new and interesting work, or uncover stories that may have been untold for generations.

“For our Fellows, the program is an enriching experience that gives them the time and space to really explore our extensive collections and use them in innovative ways to create new and exciting content for the future,” she said.

Past fellowships have produced major exhibitions, public art installations, documentaries, books, graphic novels, plays, musical scores, interactive games and many other creative projects. Previous fellows include author and cartoonist Kaz Cooke, Circus Oz founder Sue Broadway, artist William Kelly and award-winning musician and composer Jessie Lloyd.

Throughout the year the Library brings people together to experience and celebrate the work of our Fellows through performances, publications, websites, screenings, talks, exhibitions and other special events and programs at the Library and venues around Victoria.

Applications for the 2017 Fellowships closes on Sunday 23 April 2017.

An information night will be held on Tuesday 28 February, 6pm at State Library Victoria. Enter via Entry 3 on La Trobe Street.

Applications are now open for:

Centenary of WWI Fellowship
A fellowship for researchers including historians, artists, illustrators and scholars for works exploring a subject related to Victorians at home and abroad during the First World War (1914-1918) and its aftermath.

Children’s Literature Fellowship
A specialist fellowship for exploring children’s book publishing, writing or illustrating.

Creative Fellowships
Five fellowships are available to artists and scholars as individuals or collaborative partnerships for developing innovative ways to express the Library’s collections.

Digital Fellowship
A digitally based research project that focusses on the use of the Library’s collection data, or makes use of, or repurposes the digital collection to create a digital artefact.

John Emmerson Research Fellowship
A specialist fellowship to utilise the John Emmerson collection of rare political, religious, philosophical and literary works on the reign of King Charles I and the English Civil War, fought during the 1640s.

Named in honour of John McLaren Emmerson QC (1938–2014), a bibliophile and brilliant scholar who had careers as an Oxford physicist and a Melbourne barrister, the fellowship is supported by a generous bequest from John Emmerson.

La Trobe Society Fellowship
A fellowship for Australian historians, scholars and writers interested in researching the colonial period of Victoria’s history during Charles Joseph La Trobe’s administration as Superintendent and Lieutenant-Governor (1839-1854). The research may be extended to cover the period immediately before La Trobe’s arrival, or the effects of his tenure after his departure from Victoria.

Russell Beedles Performing Arts Fellowship
A specialist fellowship to utilise the Library’s collections on a project exploring theatre and performing arts in Victoria. The Fellowship is named in honour of Russell Beedles, the award-winning playwright, performer and teacher and has been supported by a generous donation from the Beedles family.

Each of these fellowships provide a grant of $15,000 for three months’ full time research (or longer part time), space in a shared office accessible outside normal Library hours and special access to collections and staff expertise. Honorary fellowships may also be awarded. These fellows receive the same benefits as funded fellows, without the monetary grant.

Amor Residency at Baldessin Press Studio
In association with the Baldessin Press, the Amor Residency at St. Andrews is available to a visual artist wishing to explore works on paper, in particular printmaking or artists’ books. The offer may include accommodation, printmaking tuition/ technical support, materials or editioning to the sum of $5000.

Georges Mora Fellowship
In association with the Georges Mora Foundation, Alliance Française de Melbourne and other partners, this fellowship gives one contemporary artist the opportunity to study, experiment and explore fresh thinking in their art.  The recipient is awarded $10,000 and given access to organisations and individuals with specialist knowledge to support the artist in their research.

Redmond Barry Fellowship
In association with the University of Melbourne, the Redmond Barry Fellowship is available to scholars and writers for the production of literary works. The fellow receives a grant of up to $20,000 for three to six months’ research.

Ukrainian Studies Foundation in Australia Fellowship
A specialist fellowship for applicants interested in exploring Ukrainian history and culture. The fellowship includes a $22,000 grant and is for five months full-time or longer if undertaken part time.

The Fellowships are funded by the State Library Victoria Foundation and other program partners and awarded annually on the advice of independent expert panels.

Recipients of the 2017 Fellowships program will be announced in July 2017.

Tags:

This article has 1 comment

  1. Looks like there are some great fellowships available. Thanks for the info.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*