Watch This Space (WTS) is located in Mparntwe/Alice Springs on Arrernte Country. We pay respect to its traditional custodians, the Arrernte people, who continue to nurture and care for this apmere/country/home. WTS recognises that colonisation is still happening, now and across the country, and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.

WTS recognises that written, online applications are not accessible to everyone. If this model is not suitable for your needs please contact the gallery on 08 8952 1949 or email wts@wts.org.au to discuss other application models that will better assist you.

WTS welcomes proposals from individual artists, groups, curators and community organisations.

WHO WE ARE:

As the only Artist-Run Iniative in Central Australia, Watch This Space (WTS) has played a critical role in the creative ecology of Mparntwe/Alice Springs over the past 28 years. Watch This Space is a catalyst and conduit for conversations and experiments in the always-evolving languages of art and community making. It supports contemporary art dialogue in the region both inside and outside a gallery space, encouraging, nurturing and promoting Central Australian and visiting artists. It is an ARI, encompassing two galleries, six studios, an outdoor cinema, noticeboard, library, recording studio and mobile class room that exists as a site for collectivism to prosper.

WE AIM TO:

CREATE opportunities for local artists’ work to be discovered and made visible through hosting contemporary art exhibitions.

PROVIDE opportunities for local, interstate and international artists to enrich the artistic and cultural life of Alice Springs through the delivery of high quality contemporary art activities.

FOSTER an inclusive creative community of artists who share skills and experiences with each other by accessing the onsite gallery and studio space.

OFFER professional development opportunities for artists including artistic/cultural collaborations and skills development.

NURTURE the full breadth of contemporary art activities including multi-disciplinary art forms, new media and installation work.

Watch This Space values the amplification of voices of local, interstate, and international artists that may go unheard in mainstream spaces. We aim to cultivate a horizontal and inclusive community space for artists where experimentation, questioning, mutual aid, and collective responsibility are made possible, and opportunities for professional and unprofessional development and reciprocal skills- and knowledge-sharing. We orientate ourselves to our position in the centre of so-called Australia, which gives Watch This Space unique proximity to artists across the continent and beyond.

Your proposal will be assessed in relation to the following criteria:

Commitment: Demonstrated incubation of the proposal, and the applicants’ commitment to and capacity for its realisation.

Relevancy: Why Watch This Space? Why Mparntwe/Alice Springs, the Central Desert region, or the Northern Territory?

Voice: Is the applicant/s’ voice one that is often heard? Is it a voice that we could be working to amplify?

WHEN PREPARING YOUR PROPOSAL, PLEASE CONSIDER:

The relevance of your proposal to WTS’s aims and assessment criteria.
The sensitivity and respect being considered for any work concerning First Nations culture and history. Culturally inappropriate projects will not be accepted and transparency around these processes is mandatory.
The clarity of your proposal. Flowery or overly academic writing is discouraged; we just want clear language that tells us what you are proposing to share.
The quality of your support material and how it aligns with your proposal.
We are not an Aboriginal-run arts space and are therefore not in a position to connect you with First Nations artists. If this is your primary interest we recommend you contact Aboriginal owned and run organisations in Central Australia.

PROGRAM OFFERS:

Up to $1,000 for a gallery exhibition.
A fully subsidised gallery space for three weeks (including two-day install and one-day de-install)
Guidance and support from our Directors, Curatorial Committee and Board in developing your professional practice.
Access to and assistance with WTS equipment, tools and resources.
Digital promotion of exhibition through the WTS website, social media platforms, e-newsletter and other online resources.
Hard-copy mail out of invitation to WTS Members.
Organisation of printing promotional material.
Opening night bar provision and attendance.
Coordination of artwork sales.
Staffing of the gallery during weekday open hours (Wed-Fri 12-5pm).
Other financial support as relevant to your project.

Within our Creative Program we equally welcome and encourage proposals for projects that aren’t formal exhibitions, utilising either the gallery space or off-site locations for events and activities. Please use this form, call or email to discuss these proposals with the Directors and Curatorial Committee.

SUCCESSFUL ARTISTS ARE REQUIRED TO:

Install and de-install their own exhibition and provide the necessary hanging devices, screws, etc.
(A fee is applicable if artist is unable to install/de-install in person without prior arrangement)
Pay 25% commission fee on all artwork sales.
Invigilate the gallery on Saturdays 10-2pm. WTS is unable to provide gallery sitters.