Applications close on Sunday 29 January 2023 at 11:59pm ACST
For activity occurring between early February and late February 2023 (exact hours by negotiation)
OVERVIEW
This short-term, paid mentorship pairs you with industry icons, Sam and Margo Hill-Smith, Directors of Hill Smith Art Advisory (HSAA) where you will learn the about the day-to-day operations of a running a private art gallery.
The HSAA Directors will share their extensive experience and business insights with the selected mentee. This will include areas of exhibition programming, individual exhibition planning and curating, participation in local and international art fairs, nurturing and maintaining relationships with artists, curators, arts writers, museums, and arts industry organisations.
A key component of this mentorship is to prepare, plan and assist with the delivery of a ‘pop-up’ group exhibition of HSAA participating artists, which runs for five days from Tuesday 21 February to Sunday 26 February 2023.
In addition, this mentorship will explore evolving ways in which private galleries like Hill Smith Art Gallery was successfully restructured after 40 years of operation to its new iteration of HSAA, now working both online and by appointment with clients and artists.
The Gallery Assistant mentorship provides focus from a commercial perspective of running a successful gallery business over time. Importantly, this includes one which has at its core the purpose of both exposure and building an artist’s profile through regular exhibitions, and with an attention to the sale of an artist’s works, supporting their livelihood. The other important area of focus for a private gallery is its clients, seeking to nurture relationships and aid them in securing quality art for their individual enjoyment as well as having some fun the process.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The mentorship will take place between early February 2023 and late February June 2023. Days and hours are flexible and will be organised by negotiation with the Directors and the successful applicant.
You will start with two x two-hour sessions with hours increasing in the lead up to the ‘pop up’ exhibition. You will also be required to work at the opening of the exhibition on Tuesday 21 February (11am – 7pm approx.) and then daily from 23 – 26 February (11am – 4pm approx.)
The successful applicant will be able to discuss the required days and hours in more detail with Margo Hill-Smith.
OPPORTUNITY FUNDING
The Gallery Assistant Mentee will be paid is $30 (inc. GST) per hour, for every hour worked during the mentorship.
WHO CAN APPLY
Graduates (within five years following final year of study) from Helpmann Academy’s partner institutions are eligible to apply. Honours graduates are eligible for five years following final year of study.
Masters and PhD graduates are not eligible.
The Helpmann Academy’s partner institutions and eligible courses are listed here.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Applications are due by Sunday 29 January 2023 at 11:59pm ACST
Due to the quick turnaround required for this opportunity, we are running an Expression of Interest (EOI) campaign with a reduced number of questions in the application.
Applications must be submitted via the online form on the Helpmann Academy website.
Please provide an artist statement:
• In 300 words or less, provide us with a statement that tells us about your current practice, why are you interested in taking part in the Gallery Assistant Mentorship and what impact this will have on your professional development.
You will be required to provide the following support material to accompany your statement:
• Artist CV (max two pages)
• Academic transcript
• Up to three images of your most recent work
• Website and/or social media handles
CONDITIONS OF UNDERTAKING THE MENTORSHIP
If your application is successful, you will be required to:
Negotiate the days and hours required directly with Margo Hill-Smith and then commit to them
Supply images and content at the end of the project for use on our social media channels
If you would like more information about the program, please contact the Helpmann Academy on (08) 7089 0720 or email info@helpmannacademy.com.au