Gallery offers grants to help SA artists suffering hardship
The Art Gallery of South Australia is offering $10,000 ‘artist bursaries’ to SA visual artists, collectives and art centres that are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abdul Abdullah’s human-monkey hybrid Understudy in the 2020 Adelaide Biennial at the AGSA. Photo: Saul Steed
Six grants will initially be offered, and AGSA director Rhana Devenport says no presentation outcomes are expected from artists.
The gallery says it is “working hand-in-hand with its philanthropic community” to offer direct financial support to artists during the difficult time, with money made available through the relaunched South Australian Artists Fund.
“AGSA’s support for artists has never been more critical,” Devenport says.
“While we focus on supporting our audiences with innovative new digital content during the gallery’s temporary closure, it is crucially important to recognise that artists are at the centre of everything we do.
“Isolation has again highlighted how we turn to artists and their work to provide solace, pleasure and insight in our world. This is our way to directly support artists when it matters most.”
Applications for the artist bursaries will open this Monday and be assessed by an internal panel.
While the Art Gallery of SA is currently closed, it is presenting weekly virtual tours and podcasts of the 2020 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Monster Theatres featuring curators, artists and special guests. Its monthly First Fridays after-hours event will also be presented online from 5pm today (May 1).
