ArtsLab is Shopfront Arts Co-op’s biannual artist residency program, a six-month laboratory that offers free space, resources, networking opportunities and professional mentorship to pursue a creative project. The residency culminates in a festival season to present your work to the public. This residency isn't just about creating work; it is about learning what it takes to have a sustainable career in the arts. 

What is ArtsLab: Body of Work

ArtsLab: Body of Work will be a two-week immersive festival of works from 8 emerging artists, exploring visual art, theatre, multidisciplinary performance, sculpture and sound work. This year's artistic cohort will delve into themes of aloneness, friendship, wellness, gender and identity. 

Our ArtsLab Works

The five new works presented as part of ArtsLab: Body of Work from March 22 - April 2 are:

Quadrants: A four-chapter theatre work written and performed by Flynn Mapplebeck, Quadrants is a comedic and obscure look of the pleasures and advantages of being alone.
Under the Influence: Combining theatre, video and music, Under the Influence is a multidisciplinary work devised by Ana Fenner and Amelia Gilday exploring the intersections of performativity and identity with a focus on gender. 

‘When I think of us, it sounds like…’: An immersive sound work by Rachel Seeto and Kaylee Rankin aka SPACEFLOSS, exploring the complex landscape of friendship and how we can document, expand, reduce, abstract and stretch the sonic language of friendship to uncover shared truths.

Zest: A new devised theatre work by Mina Bradshaw, which centres on a deep dive into the wellness industry. It looks at what wellness is and isn't, what it looks like, and most importantly, how much it costs.
Where the Body Ends and Gender Begins: A new work comprising sound work and sculpture by Jenna Lewis, exploring themes of gender identity through representations of the body.
Mara: This season will feature a staged reading of a new film work in production by Ayah Darwich. Mara is a young girl who knows more than the adults around her do. As a result, she feels isolated in school while she struggles to deal with her mental health and the issues she's experiencing at home.

And here are the eight young emerging artists that make up this Body of Work:

• Flynn Mapplebeck is a Wollongong based performer and writer. 

• Amelia Gilday is a filmmaker, theatremaker, and music producer from Sydney.

• Ana Fenner is a writer and performing artist working across theatre and film.

• Mina Bradshaw is an Australian theatre maker and director who is passionate about generating new and compelling theatre for young Australian audiences.

• Jenna Lewis is a genderqueer creative based on Gadigal Land whose life mantra is to live authentically and eat maxibons.

• Rachel Seeto is an actor and multidisciplinary artist working as one half of the creative duo Spacefloss Collective.

• Kaylee Rankin is a Warrang-based multidisciplinary artist working as one half of creative duo Spacefloss Collective.

• Ayah Darwich is an emerging artist experimenting in various mediums including writing, directing and performance.

How will the funds be used?

The money raised from our Pozible campaign will be used to cover the many costs that come along with presenting a festival comprising visual arts, video installations, installation works and live performances! This year ArtsLab will feature five artistic works and a staged reading presented by eight emerging artists over a two-week season at 107 Projects, Redfern in March / April 2023. Our Pozible campaign ensures that Shopfront Arts Co-op doesn’t absorb the costs of these eight residencies and productions.

The rundown of our funding goals are: 

Primary Goal: $4,000 

Our first goal allows us to cover the fee for our brilliant and beautiful production manager and crew, who will creatively and technically support us in executing our works and coordinate the smooth running of the ArtsLab 2023 two-week long festival season.

Stretch Goal: $5,500 

With an extra $1,000 we will be able to pay for a lighting designer to work across all works, and make them look amazing on stage and within the gallery. Another $500 will then cover the costs of technical support of rigging, so that our production manager’s back doesn’t break from all that hard work!

Dream Goal: $7,000

With your generosity, a further $1,500 will go towards all our materials – visual arts equipment, art supplies, set, props, design, and additional technical gear. That’s less than $200 per artist! These are the things that will allow us to showcase our work at a professional level.

If we don’t reach these goals, the expense of a Production Manager, the production materials and equipment will fall upon Shopfront. Running at a loss may compromise their ability to continue to ArtsLab in the future.

Why support ArtsLab?

In a perfect world, the arts would be properly funded by the government and we wouldn't be asking you to donate. But, unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world and so to show our appreciation for your donations, we have some personalised rewards coming your way - including pre-reserving your tickets to ArtsLab 2023. 

Not only that - you will also ensure that there is a show to see!  

If rewards aren't your thing, thanks to Shopfront's not-for-profit status when you make a $2 donation (or higher) and don't select a reward your donation is fully tax deductible!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!