| about us
 |
Artsource began life in 1986 as the Fremantle Arts Foundation. It was formed with support of the State and Commonwealth Governments and also through the America's Cup Office.
The Foundation was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on July 6, 1986. With the assistance of the America's Cup Office, Old Customs House, on the corner of Cliff and Phillimore Streets, was made available for studio and performance space. The building was later purchased by the State, and the Fremantle Arts Foundation undertook to manage it.
|
| In order to reflect the state-wide distribution of its services and resources, the organisation changed its name in 1992 to the Artists Foundation of Western Australia (AFWA). From this time, the services including discounts, seminars and workshops, support and advocacy, information and advice became the bedrock for artists in WA.
In 1996, in response to the growing development of public art and the State Government Percent for Art Scheme, and in order to increase the professional opportunities for artists, AFWA established Artsource - the Artists Agency. The Agency was located in the newly renovated King Street Art Centre.
Artsource became the pre eminent place for clients to engage artists and for artists to go to for employment opportunities in WA. Like all good ideas, it wasn't until it had been operating for several years, that the diversity and range of employment opportunities became clear. Artists are now sought for commissions, consultancy, advice, teaching, residencies, leasing and general purchase of work through the Artsource mechanism.
In 2003, the organisation developed and began implementation of a program of professional development specifically geared to Indigenous and regionally based artists in WA. This work has become crucial for many artists and has created access to employment and other professional development for a previously overlooked sector.
By 2004, it was apparent that the organisation had outgrown its current name and after much consideration, it was decided to re-brand as Artsource: the Artists Foundation of WA Ltd. The organisation continues its key role as a service organisation for artists, providing quality service combined with imaginative delivery. |
ANNUAL REPORTS
Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2009 Artsource launched the Lifetime Achievement Awards for Visual Artists.
Until then, WA’s visual arts industry had no formal system to acknowledge significant contributions that individuals make over a lifetime; a concept well established in other sectors.
The Awards are granted annually to artists who have demonstrated a sustained practice achieving excellence in their chosen field for over 20 years. The practice can be derived from any aspect of the visual arts. In the first two years, the Award recipients are determined by the Artsource Board through an internal nomination and discussion process with a panel of arts industry leaders and senior staff.
Artsource sees the Awards as just one way to advance the profile of visual artists and to develop greater professionalism and pride within the sector.
2010 (Posthumous) |
2010 |
2010 |
Combining his deep knowledge and concern for Nyoongar culture with a confident and individual style of gestural abstraction, Pickett created paintings that resonated with a profound but subtle immediacy. Balancing innovation with tradition, modernity with an ancient spirituality, Pickett created a complex visual metaphor for the persistence of Nyoongar culture against the colonising tide of modernity.
Click to see Shane Pickett in Artsource's Autumn Newsletter and at Indigenart. |
"George Haynes was born to be an artist. He is a person with an immense and searching intellect. An intellect located just behind the eye, and what an eye. An eye with perfect pitch, an eye that can read light like a composer following notes on a music score; parts distinct – rhythms clear – everything observed."
(Excerpt from speech by Bela Kotai at the 2010 Artsource Lifetime Acheivement Awards)
Click here for George Haynes' website. |
Stuart’s artworks have been inspired by the collision of industry with nature for several years. He is an important mid career Perth artist, and a respected local art lecturer and writer. His paintings and sculptures can be found in many public collections including the Art Gallery of WA, Sanyi Museum Taiwan ROC, Curtin University, University WA, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, BankWest, Holmes á Court Collection and Kerry Stokes Collection.
Click to see Stuart Elliott at Turner Galleries. |
2009 |
2009 |
|
“Hans holds an honorary position as resident artist at the School of Anatomy and Human Biology at UWA. Hans has literally integrated art into the corridors and stairwells ... he helps to keep medical science within the social context of life in all its complexities. What Hans has done in his long career and life as an artist is bring human understanding and respect for the beauty of life. Hans’ artworks exhibit finely honed skills – his sculptures of the human body, the beautiful draughtsmanship of his drawings. It is not surprising that his art is often compared to the Renaissance genius of Leonardo da Vinci.”
(Excerpt from speech by Dr Robyn Taylor, Awards 2009)
Click to see Hans Arkeveld as part of the UWA Cultural Presinct and at Arts Seen in WA. |
“Art is her religion of choice, it is the tie that binds and friendships are deeper for it. In all her amazing art accomplishments, Nalda never forgets people, she weaves us all in. She is not only a maker of art but a maker of friendships; she weaves us together to make a textured singing piece. There is no single strand history. It is a full yarn. She is not only artist, educator, mentor to so many ... but our Nalda!”
(Excerpt from speech by Linda van der Merwe, Awards 2009.) |
|
|
