OVERVIEW • HOW IT WORKS • WHAT TO EXPECT • WHO CAN APPLY • OUTCOMES • APPLICATIONS • TESTIMONIALS • PAST YEARS • ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The next BREC Artist Retreat will be held deep in the South West forest at the Donnelly River Village, 1-3 September 2023 and artist Expressions of Interest are now welcomed.

The biennial BREC Artist Retreat offers artists the opportunity to rigorously develop performance-based concepts, consider new collaborations and explore cross art form possibilities.

During the intensive three-day event, 16 artists or project teams work with five highly-skilled mentors developing projects with a distinct WA identity, building artist capacity and supporting the creation of artist networks.  Each artist will give a 20×20 presentation of their project idea, work with mentors in groups and one-on-one, and have the opportunity to take part in morning warm ups, skills workshops and informal networking.

Building on the resounding success of the BREC Artist Retreats in 2019 and 2021, this year BREC will partner with Margaret River’s HEART, the City of Busselton and Harvey Shire’s Recreation & Cultural Centre to promote the Artist Retreat and support outcomes.

The BREC Artist Retreat is part of BREC’s strategic focus on building creative capacity in the South West and supporting the development of sustainable professional practice for regional independent artists. The Retreat follows Performing Lines Tasmania’s highly effective Tarraleah Artist Residency model, graciously gifted to BREC by Performing Lines in 2019. The Tarraleagh Artist Residency is delivered annually in Tasmania and is currently delivered in other States through their Local Giants initiative.

“The BREC Artist Retreat provided me with the space to talk through the ideas behind a project I’m working on, and gave me the confidence to pursue it, to commit to it, to believe in it. – Artist participant.

Timeline and How the Artist Retreat Works

The public callout for Artist Expressions of Interest (EOIs) opens on Thursday 1 June, and closes on Friday 30 June 2023 at 9pm.

Of the 16 places available, up to 14 will be offered to South West based artists/teams, with artists from other regions or Perth metro area prioritised for the remaining two places.

A selection panel will review EOIs, with successful participants notified by 30 June.  Artists will then be invited to prepare their project 20×20 presentations.  The final schedule and information pack will be sent to all attendees in August.

The BREC Artist Retreat will take place at the Donnelly River Village on 1-3 September, with transport from Bunbury and other South West regional centres, accommodation, snacks and evening meals provided for participants.  Artists need BYO breakfast and lunches, with kitchen facilities available in each cottage. Note that self-driving to Donnelly River is only permitted in special circumstances; busses and car sharing is arranged once the participant list has been finalised. To assist with offsetting expenses in attending, such as childcare or missed work, an allowance of $300 per artist or project team (depending on numbers) will be paid to successful applicants after completion of the debrief survey.

Who Can Apply?

The BREC Artist Retreat is an opportunity for South West based artists, at all points in their career and from all aspects of the performing arts, to come together and explore new performance project ideas.

This year applications are also welcome from artists from elsewhere in Western Australia, with 2 places reserved for ‘out of region’ applicants.  (Note: Any project team can include out of region artists, as long as the Lead Artist is a South West resident.)

We welcome applications from;

• People at the start of their artistic practice
• Senior artists with significant experience
• Mid-career artists
• Returning participants exploring new ideas
• Writers, directors, makers, dancers, sound designers, puppeteers, etc – any artist with a project idea they want to work on.
• Collaborative teams of no more than three, working together on a single concept should apply under the name of the lead artist on the project.

We celebrate diversity and welcome all artists, including those with diverse abilities, sexualities, gender, ethno-cultural and socioeconomic status. First Nations artists are especially encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants must be 18 years or older at the time of the Retreat.

Applications

Expressions of Interest for the 2023 Retreat open Thursday 1 June.

The application process is simple and asks for 250 words about your project idea – it will take you about 20 minutes to complete online via the registration link below.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

You must complete the application in one go – you cannot save and return.  So to see the application questions and prepare your answers, download the ‘Preparing For Your Application’ document HERE.

If you are nervous or unsure if the Retreat is for you, please get in touch with BREC’s Artistic Administrator Stephanie Reeve via mail@bunburyentertainment.com or call 9792 3113 to discuss. We want to meet you!

Past Years

BREC 2019 Artist Retreat at Donnelly River

Observers

• Louisa Norman, Country Arts South Australia
• Anna Reece, Perth Festival

Participants

• Zairyn Burke
• Lena Grayson
• Liz Jack
• Kim Crotty
• Ben Mason
• Meg Shields
• Siobhan Maiden
• Renae Shadler
• Amber Norrish

• Vahri McKenzie
• Margot Edwards
• Eleanor Davies
• Sharon Kennedy
• Andrew Robinson
• Michele Laine
• Natascha Herriot
• Janine Oxenham

Observers      

• Ryan Taaffe, CircuitWest
• David Marshall, Shire of Harvey

Participants   

• Bayden Adams
• Miranda Aitken
• Danielle Bond
• Zairyn Burke
• Eleanor Davies
• Nathan Gardiner
• Sam Gomme
• Barbara Gore
• Lesley Jackes
• Millie Kitchener
• Clara Kotai
• Michele Laine
• Christine Latham
• Karen Louise
• Chrissy Maddison

• Siobhan Maiden
• Kate Maloney
• Katharina Meister
• Lynette Narkle
• Amber Norrish
• Janine Oxenham
• Joshua Pether
• David Rawet
• Tammie Reid
• Sky River
• Isaac Salter
• Meg Shields
• Daisy Sanders
• Rachael Woodward
• Rachel Wyder