Australia Council announces latest musicians and composers to take part in UKARIA residency

AAR Aviva Endean - photo by Benjamin WeatherstonThe Australia Council for the Arts has announced the latest recipients of residencies offered through the UKARIA Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills.

Australian clarinettist Aviva Endean will head to UKARIA in November to use her residency to explore further collaboration with cross-cultural ensemble The Cloud Maker.

The ensemble includes Maori multi-instrumentalist Te Kahureremoa Taumata and Korean vocalist Sunny Kim. The group met by chance in 2019 during their respective residencies in various programs at the Banff Centre in Canada. They will be joined by Australian musicians Judith Hamann (cello) and Maria Moles (drums).

The second artistic group is comprised of composer Wally Gunn and librettist Maria Zajkowski who will create their second major collaborative work at UKARIA in December.

This is the third consecutive year the residency has been offered thanks to a continuing partnership between the Australia Council and UKARIA, offered through the Australia Council’s co-investment program.

UKARIA CEO Alison Beare congratulated the recipients and said she looked forward to seeing the creative work produced as a result of the residencies. “Giving artists the freedom to create, in nature, away from daily life is central to our vision. To see what flows from their time with us is often unexpected but always inspiring!” said Ms Beare.

Australia Council Head of Music Kirsty Rivers thanked UKARIA for providing an ideal location and support for artists to collaborate and develop new work.

“We are thrilled to be able to once again provide this residency for Australian musicians and composers that enables artistic groups to connect in an ideal setting for creativity and collaboration,” said Ms Rivers. “This is a great example of the positive impact of opportunities made possible through our co-investment partnerships.”

The residency recipients will have exclusive access to UKARIA including the state-of-the-art auditorium and Twin Peaks accommodation facilities adjacent to the Mount Barker Summit, as well as financial support to assist with the development of their new works. The residency program between the Australia Council and UKARIA is proudly supported by Ulrike Klein AO.

For more information about the Australia Council co-investment program, visit: www.australiacouncil.gov.au For more information, about the UKARIA Cultural Centre, visit: www.ukaria.com for details.

Image: Aviva Endean – photo by Benjamin Weatherston