News

Peter Garrett announces successful Western Australian JUMP applicants 12/04/10

by Propel Youth Arts WA

EIGHT WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS AWARDED UNIQUE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY IN NEW NATIONAL MENTORING PROGRAM.

Eight Western Australian artists are amongst 36 successful applicants for the 2010 JUMP national mentoring program, announced by the Federal Arts Minister, Peter Garrett today.

JUMP, funded by the Australia Council for the Arts, is Australia’s largest mentoring program supporting the career development of young and emerging artists.

The 2010 JUMP mentorships cross a broad range of artforms from community arts and theatre to Indigenous arts, music, visual arts, dance, literature, interdisciplinary and hybrid art.

“We are delighted with the depth of emerging artistic talent from Western Australia to be supported through JUMP,” says Sonja Basic, General Manager of JUMP inaugural state delivery partner, Propel Youth Arts WA.

“JUMP will provide these young artists with a unique opportunity to develop a mentoring relationship with a well-recognised arts professional, to advance their artistic practice and gain invaluable advice and industry knowledge.”

Emerging sculpture and installation artist, Steven Morgana, will expand his interest and knowledge of advanced technologies and materials in art through his collaboration with leading Western Australian physics expert, Glen Lawson.

Andrea Gibbs, aspiring improviser/comedian, will hone her raconteur skills to create her first solo show based on stories of her life through the guidance of leading American storyteller and teacher, Margot Leitman.

Other JUMP mentee/mentor partnerships include:

Sarah Rowbottam (visual artist) with Leigh Robb (PICA curator)
Balvinder Khaira (Indian classical musician) with Glenn Rogers (musician/composer)
Elliott Hughes (composer/arranger/musician) with Mace Francis (musician/copmposer)
Izobel Ledger (interdisciplinary artist) with Michael Barlow (performer/writer/director)
Christopher Isaacs (playwright/actor) with Kate Mulvany (playwright) and;
Natalie Holmwood (actor/creative director) with Debra Batton (director/performer/choreographer).

The Western Australia JUMP induction will be held Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April at Propel Youth Arts WA, Perth.

The first JUMP application round attracted over 160 applications from all Australian states and territories. Artists selected for the 2010 program come from metropolitan and regional areas across Australia.

JUMP identifies excellence in artistic practice and promotes young and emerging artists who demonstrate commitment and drive in becoming the next generation of arts leaders. JUMP mentees benefit from opportunities to advance their artistic practice through project funding, showcasing opportunities, professional skills development, online profiling and access to national industry networks.

JUMP induction sessions provide practical assistance to artists and mentors to work through the logistics of their partnership and to make the most of professional development opportunities offered throughout the 10-month program. Funding of up to $5,000 is available to JUMP mentees to develop and showcase their work.

The 2010 JUMP program is managed nationally by Youth Arts Queensland (YAQ) in collaboration with state delivery partners Carclew Youth Arts in South Australia, and Propel Youth Arts WA. State delivery partners work with YAQ to deliver quality mentorship experiences that respond to the local needs of young and emerging artists.

JUMP applications are open to Australian artists aged 18 to 30 and in the first five years of their career, from all geographical and cultural backgrounds.

Second round JUMP applications will open on 30 August 2010 for mentorships commencing in early 2011. Mentorship places will also be available in 2012.

Further JUMP details can be found at http://www.jumpmentoring.com.au. Artists are encouraged to sign up for the JUMP email list to keep receiving updated program information.