The Art Angels story started with a rejected application for art funding. Having already hosted one of Melbourne’s hottest artists in 2000, Wendy Kelly, as part of their newly established Artist in Residence programme, The Church Gallery invited a former West Australian artist to participate. The Tasmanian based artist was forced to cancel when her Australia Council funding application didn’t come through.
The artist lost out on an opportunity to develop her art practice and the Perth art community lost out on a fresh contribution of knowledge and skills.
Acknowledging the importance of these assets to the art community, The Church Gallery initiated Art Angels.
The Church Gallery Art Angels Incorporated are patrons of an innovative Artist in Residence programme, designed to provide practical support to artists in Western Australia. In fact the term ‘angel’ has long been used colloquially to describe financial backers of the arts.
Art Angels don’t just provide financial support to the visual arts. The Angels extend artistic networks between Perth and the rest of the art world while building friendships between artists and patrons. At a series of social events, hosted by The Church Gallery, Art Angels meet the interstate and overseas artists they have sponsored. Informal lectures develop their knowledge of art investment for pleasure and profit, the care of a collection, and an introduction to West Australian art history.
Art Angels also provide a unique opportunity for Perth expatriate artists to come home and showcase their new work. The artist residencies are ongoing in four month blocks, assisting three artists annually. These artists are provided with on-site accommodation, studio space and an exhibition in the final month of their residency by The Church Gallery.
Art Angel membership is limited to 100 patrons. The membership fee of $1000 [inc. GST] provides an alternative to traditional art funding that is beneficial for both patron and artist.
IMAGE
Howard Taylor
untitled [treeline with cloud bank]
ink + wash on paperZ
6.5 x 12.5cm
1976-77
Valued at $1100
Estate represented by Galerie Dusseldorf
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