Aspiring Artist Program – The Collaboration

The Aspiring Artist Programme

In 2019 we established an aspiring artists programme.

The programme guides young artists through their first public exhibition and provides the opportunity for creative growth. Surrounded by other emerging and established artists, young talent is nurtured and encouraged to explore creative pathways to produce a synthesized body of work for exhibition.

The programme has grown significantly and is constantly evolving and refining responsively to the needs of our young artists. We have been able to expand our ability to offer support and the programme is now an essential component of the Collaboration model and brand.

What was once a simple guidance and advisory programme with a sponsored space is now, thanks to the support of the Creative Communities Grant, rapidly developing a strong register of established artists.

We have now mentored five young artists and supported them to exhibit their work. We are excited to see what the future holds for this programme and are currently engaged with several talented young artists working towards their 2020 exhibitions.

How to apply?

We always look forward to hearing from aspiring artists. Applications are normally accepted via nomination, however if you are 18 and under and art is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning then get in touch with us!

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Rhiannon Higgs is one very special and young artist. She was only 17 at the time of participating in our Aspiring Artist programme supported by The Creative Communities.
Rhiannon’s intelligent approach to abstract photography far surpasses her age. An articulate exploration of form, contours, shadow and light. At beginning stages, the fabric form of a dress takes us on a clever journey to a stunning nod to the Len Lye Centre. The hanging silk work has a sense of movement in itself the fabric rolls within the breeze as you wander past. Elegantly tipped with copper to fall from, reflects on metallic surfaces studied throughout this body of work. Thank you Derek Hughes for mentoring Rhiannon through this process. We are so proud of you Rhiannon and what you have achieved.

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Finn was a 14 year old student from Spotswood college at the time of his participation in the Aspiring Artist programme. His style is edgy, street and at times anime influenced. He produces work at an exceptionally rapid pace and freely draws from imagination.
He is known for his characters depicting everyday life and iconic moguls of today’s pop culture.

Finn McDonald is a part of The Collaboration Aspiring Artist program, providing opportunities to guide 18 and under artists through their first exhibition.

Kindly sponsored by the Creative Communities Grant.

“He was in his element last night and it made me tear up at how many people recognized his talent! So many positive and supportive comments about his work!”
Stacey Senior

“Congratulations Finn. Wonderful talent you have and can only get better under the guidance of established artists. A great future ahead for you.”
Irene Cambell

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Introducing Tewhaia Loveridge, a Year 12 student, studying Visual Arts at Waitara High School.

His Maori and Pacific Island culture, heavily inspire his drawings. Igniting his imagination and kick starting Tewhaia’s journey into the Visual Arts.

Tewhaia particularly enjoy’s drawing straight from his imagination, transferring these into print works.

The prints are about Tewhaia and what he is feeling at the time, presenting his cultural identity.

He is planning to further develop his works, by adding layers, and introducing colour. We look forward to seeing what heights he will reach.

Kindly sponsored by the Creative Communities Grant.

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Bella Harvey-Karen was a year 10 student from Spotswood College, 15 years of age at the time of her participation in the Aspiring artist programme and has big dreams of becoming an artist.

Our aspiring artist programme helps special young artists to take that first step in exhibiting their work amongst established and emerging artists. We are so proud of you Bella you have done an amazing job and produced a stunning series of works!

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Hollie Cohen an Aspiring Artist programme member in 2018. At only 18 she is producing digital paintings equivalent of an established artist. Her exceptionally talented and intelligent quirky pop art has a clever contemporary spin on Kiwiana.

We loved having Hollie as part of our aspiring artist programme, Hollie has gone on to Victoria University to study.

We are grateful for the Creative Communities grant that allows us to assist our aspiring artists.

“My experience in the aspiring artist program was an inspiring, educational and motivational one. I really felt supported by The Collaboration to make good works that expressed myself and interests and also catered to the market of displaying and selling art in a gallery. The entire experience was very engaging, proactive and fun – working in the gallery, selling many works, creating new ones to meet demand and finding my feet and confidence in my visual art. I think to me this is what I valued the most. I am very engaged in the arts and hope to pursue a career in the creative field. The Collaboration believing in me and my art work, supporting me, and guiding me through the process the whole time, was such an incredible lesson and opportunity in chasing what you want and expressing your interest in art fiercely and always. I would urge them to give this opportunity to as many young creatives as they can, and would commend anyone who would support them to do so.”
Hollie Cohen

The Aspiring Artist Programme

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