Country Arts SA recognises that we are living and creating on First Nations Lands and we are committed to working together to honour their living cultures.
Breaking Ground 2021 applications now closed
Since its launch in 2012, the Visual Arts Professional Development award Breaking Ground has provided South Australian visual artists with the unique opportunity to develop their skills and broaden their professional experience.
To date the award has helped inspire and strengthen the careers of SA regional artists Yvonne East, Aleksandra Antic, Morgan Allender, Cindy Durant and Chris de Rosa.
The winner will receive $10,000 to develop a body of work for a solo exhibition to be held at Light Square Gallery during the 2021 SALA Festival. An additional $5,000 mentorship opportunity will be available as part of the prize. Hear Lauren Mustillo talk more in-depth about the opportunity below.
Country Arts SA Chief Executive Anthony Peluso said Breaking Ground is one of our premier professional development opportunities and has grown to become a distinguished award.
“Breaking Ground provides artists with the time and resources to develop new skills and extend their current practice. Presenting the final exhibition in Adelaide helps to broaden their audience outside of their home region,” he said. “The calibre of the previous recipients confirms the quality of artists in our state and the strength of the award.”
Country Arts SA Visual Arts Program Manager Lauren Mustillo added: “Since its launch, the Breaking Ground award has supported regional South Australian artists to achieve their professional goals and deliver solo exhibitions. Artists are encouraged to be ambitious and dream big to ‘break new ground’ in their practice. We want to hear from artists all over the state and encourage applications from artists at all stages of their professional careers.”
The collaboration between Country Arts SA and SALA festival has always been strong. By presenting Breaking Ground during SALA Festival, South Australian regional artists have the opportunity to be part of a state-wide conversation and exhibit alongside some of South Australia’s best and most loved contemporary visual artists.
SALA Festival CEO Kate Moskwa said: “The Breaking Ground award is an incredible opportunity for a regional artist to experiment with their work and take their artistic practice to a new level. The structure of the award provides a safe environment to take a new direction while having financial and curatorial support and the guidance of a mentor, allowing the recipient to develop both artistically and professionally.”
The 2021 award recipient will be announced at the SALA launch and awards night in July. The winning artist’s works will be exhibited at Light Square Gallery during the 2021 SALA Festival.
Applications closed: June 30, midnight.
Image: Left: Chris De Rosa, turbulent nature, 2017, digital inkjet print, pigment stain, flourescence, dye, on perforated magnani paper and glazed ceramic. 76 x 120cm. Photo: Pippy Mount. Middle: Chris De Rosa, turbulent nature, 2017, digital inkjet print, pigment stain, dye, on perforated magnani paper and glazed ceramic. 76 x 120cm. Photo: Pippy Mount. Right: Chris De Rosa, turbulent nature, 2017, digital inkjet print, pigment stain, dye, on perforated magnani paper and glazed ceramic. 76 x 120cm. Photo: Pippy Mount.