For 30 years Midsumma has been fertile ground for queer culture-makers, forging careers for some of Australia’s most respected cultural and artistic voices. Midsumma Futures is a nine-month development and mentoring program for early-career artists and culture-makers.
Midsumma Futures provides the opportunity for today’s generation of queer early-career artists – in the first 10 years of their practice – to advance their vocation, deepen their practice, gain exposure and lead the future of queer culture.
“Supporting early-career queer voices is at the heart of this program,” says Midsumma CEO, Karen Bryant. “It is about enabling true independence and a platform from which participants can take their practice forward, for themselves but ultimately for the benefit of our broader communities”
Who is it for?
Midsumma Futures will bring together a diverse range of emerging culture-makers, creating a unique space for the intersection of ideas, modes of practice and professional development. Artists from across disciplines as well as producers, socially engaged practitioners, community leaders, creative thinkers and culture-makers are encouraged to apply.
This program is for people who identify as queer or LGBTQIA+ in some way, but only a small group of participants (up to 10) will be accepted into the program each year. The program is open nationally, however all workshops are held in Melbourne and participants would need to be available for all workshop dates and fund their own travel.
What do participants get out of it?
Midsumma Futures consists of three components:
• Five dynamic workshops that will challenge, invigorate and strengthen practice through peer-to-peer exchange as well as presentations and activities delivered by established practitioners. Workshop themes will address the intersection of contemporary practice with queer history, the role of queer cultural practice now, sustainable practice, self-care, self-promotion and tools to talk about their work.
• A mentorship with an established practitioner. Participants can apply with a confirmed mentor attached to their application OR they can ask Midsumma to match them with a mentor that suits their needs upon successful entry into the program.
• Engagement with Midsumma Festival via a VIP pass to Midsumma Festival 2018 to experience the intersection of ideas, events and people that only a context like Midsumma Festival can provide. And if participants want to produce an event as part of Midsumma Festival 2018 or 2019, Midsumma will provide free registration and ongoing producing advice.
Timeline
Applications are now open and close: midnight – Tuesday 9 May 2017. Successful applicants announced will bearly June 2017, with the Mentorships to start in August 2017 and run through to March 2018. For more information and to apply, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.
Image: courtesy of Midsumma Festival