Three Territory arts workers will join an impressive team of Australian emerging arts professionals, exhibition team leaders and volunteers as part of the Australia Council for the Arts Venice Biennale Professional Development Program. The program provides a platform for curators, arts writers and arts professionals to develop skills and gain vocational experience.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss congratulated Darwin based arts worker Carmen Ansaldo, and Katherine based arts worker Clare Armitage for being selected to participate in the Emerging Arts Professionals Program. Central Australian arts worker Caroline Hunter, has also been selected by the Australia Council for the Arts, to attend the biennale as the Northern Territorys Exhibition team leader.
Carmen Ansaldo is a freelance arts writer and arts worker, who has worked in remote and regional art centres in NT and WA in addition to working and studying in New York. Carmen currently works as a Senior Visitor Engagement Officer at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT in Darwin.
Clare Armitage is the curator at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre and the 2017 inaugural SPARK NT curator. Clare has worked throughout the NT in public and private galleries.
Caroline Hunter has more than 17 years experience working in remote community art centres and is currently the manager of Artists of Ampilatwatja, an art centre north east of Alice Springs.
Australia Council Executive Director Strategic Development and Advocacy Dr Wendy Were said the Professional Development programs were a key part of the Venice project that includes Australias national participation at the Biennale, supported by a significant donor program.
The Emerging Arts Professionals program is delivered in partnership with Create NSW; Arts South Australia; Creative Victoria; Culture and the Arts (WA), Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Arts NT, Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture, Arts Tasmania and Arts Queensland.
The NT Government is proud to provide $16,000 from the Strategic Initiatives program to The Australia Council for the Arts to support the participation in the Venice Biennale 2019.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss
The Venice Biennale event and professional development program provides NT arts workers the opportunity to work alongside national and international peers, gaining knowledge and experience at one of the biggest international arts events.
With the program expanding from an opportunity for curators to all areas of the arts, including cultural programming, arts journalism, arts marketing to arts education, the opportunities for Territory arts workers will ensure we have skilled home-grown arts professionals that will benefit the Northern Territory art sector.
As stated by Manager Artists of Ampilatwatja Art Centre, Caroline Hunter
I really love my job, I live in the desert and feel privileged to live and work with the Alyawarre people and enjoy creating opportunities for artists to travel with their work and see more of the country and the world.
As stated by Australia Council Executive Director Strategic Development and Advocacy, Dr Wendy Were
Australias arts professionals are pivotal to the success of Australian arts, both at home and internationally. These professionals will contribute to Angelica Mesitis exhibition ASSEMBLY at the Australian Pavilion and the broader Venice project, whilst gaining valuable international connections and experience.
Attached images:
- Caroline Hunter, NT Exhibition team leader
- Carmen Ansaldo, NT Emerging Arts Professional
- Clare Armitage, NT Emerging Arts Professional
