Artist in Residence program
As part of our Arts and Culture Strategy goal to create a visible and supported creative community, we are committed to offering artist residency programs in inspiring places, in support of emerging and established artists.
The Nillumbik Artist in Residence program has been developed to create artist residencies for local creatives to explore their practice, to develop skills and plan for, or create new work.
The current program is an open residency designed to support artists in progressing their current practice and/or project goals.
The program provides three non-acquisitive artist residencies in Visual Arts, Literary Arts and Performing Arts. Residencies include an artist fee, an allocated creative space within a Nillumbik community facility, and artist support.
Artists in residence
July 2023 - March 2024
Nicholas (Nick) Currie
Visual Artist in Residence at Edendale Community Environment Farm
Nicholas Currie is an artist, performer and writer. He is a descendent of the Mununjali clan of the Yugambeh language group, with connection to Kuku Yalanji country as well as European ancestors. Nick works in painting, curating, ceramics and performance.
During this residency, Nick will be creating new work for future exhibitions. These may include a performance art piece, ceramics and a suite of new paintings and sculptures.
"I like to paint." Nick Currie, 2023
Ale Prunotto
Literary Artist (Writer) in Residence at Yarra Plenty Regional Library (YPRL) in partnership with YPRL
Ale is a white, trans non-binary writer and researcher. They are intrigued by how to tell true stories in a creative and engaging way through narrative non-fiction. Drawing on their anthropology studies, Ale's work currently explores concepts of embodiment, public space, gender, race, power and risk.
During this residency, Ale will be working on a book about parkour. Parkour is a movement discipline that involves engaging creatively and efficiently with obstacles.
“Most people have a stereotypical image of what parkour is: young, cisgender men chasing adrenaline highs with roof jumps and flips. Yet this image is inaccurate. All over the world, there are thriving communities of women and gender diverse people who practice parkour in a variety of ways, seeking both challenge and play. By doing parkour in public spaces, women and gender diverse people are resisting narratives of violence that suggest that public space is not for people like them.” Ale Prunotto, 2023
Hana Zreikat
Performing Artist in Residence at Living & Learning Nillumbik
Hana Zreikat is an award-winning singer-songwriter, a composer and concert pianist, with Jordanian/Greek heritage and her own experiences growing up in Australia.
Hana’s classically trained piano skills and intuitive vocals create music reminiscent of Regina Spector, Yiruma and Missy Higgins; with creations that explore intricacies of life, love and identity. Her works have been performed locally and worldwide. She has also composed and conducted for organisations such as the Australian National Academy of Music, The Australian Children’s Choir, Creativity Australia, The Chamber Strings of Melbourne and The Ballarat Symphony Orchestra.
In 2021, Hana released her debut album Black Balloons and 2023 sees the release of her second album Butterfly.
During this residency, Hana will be creating a new performance piece involving stories and traditional music from her cultural heritage. This will incorporate spoken word/storytelling and music.