Artist Advisory Committee
As we grow, we are seeking the guidance of artists and cultural workers who share our commitment to fostering innovation and inclusivity within the arts. Our newly established artist advisory committee ensures that artist voices are embedded within the organisational decision-making that directly impacts them.
image credit: Dr Virginia Keft, Guruwa gunya (gum tree home), 2024. Firstdraft, Sydney. Courtesy the artist. Photo: Jessica Maurer
Firstdraft has an almost 40-year history of supporting early-career artists and championing experimentation. As the organisation enters an exciting period of celebration around this milestone our leadership structure has evolved to improve long-term organisational sustainability and better support the expanding needs of our community.
Moving forward, we are looking to solidify our position as Australia’s leading space fostering the future of contemporary art. Our vision for Firstdraft remains artist-centred, honouring our legacy as an artist-run initiative and cultivating the next generation of artists and arts leaders. Firstdraft will continue to create career pathways and offer opportunities for professional development for artists.
Firstdraft is seeking expressions of interest from artists at all stages of their careers to sit on its inaugural artist advisory committee
About the Artist Advisory Committee
The 2025 Committee will comprise two (2) outgoing board members for a one (1) year term & three (3) members recruited through open call for a two (2) year term. Members appointed through the open call process will receive remuneration for their contribution.
The Artist Advisory Committee provides advice and guidance on Firstdraft’s programming, ensuring it reflects our mission and vision and aligns with current strategic goals. The committee advises on annual exhibition programming and select community engagement opportunities ensuring a diverse and inclusive representation of contemporary visual art practices.
What You’ll Do:
Assess applications from Firstdraft’s open call-out
Contribute your perspective to foster a supportive and inclusive arts environment
Provide insights and advice on an ad hoc basis to support the delivery of Firstdraft’s programs
Act as ambassadors for Firstdraft within the broader arts community and engage with potential collaborators, artists, and audiences.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking artists working in any medium at any stage of their careers who are eager to share their perspectives, experiences, and insights to help us shape a program that reflects the breadth of contemporary art practices and communities. Arts and cultural leaders, including curators, writers, and community arts practitioners, are welcome to apply.
Firstdraft is committed to fostering diversity and equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We strongly support and encourage applications from First Peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, and artists with disabilities.
Commitment:
A maximum of 30 Hours annually
The Artist Advisory meet with the primary purpose of assessing Firstdraft exhibition program once a year (April/May), with additional meetings/correspondence via email as needed on an ad hoc basis.
Remuneration:
Artist Advisory Committee members will be compensated for their time.
Up to $1000 comprising of 4x $250 per year
A sitting fee of $250 per day of programming meeting attendance (up to 2 days);
$250 for application assessment; and
Up to $250 for all additional ad hoc meeting
HOW TO APPLY
Alongside a single-page PDF of your artist CV, we ask that you submit responses to the following questions
Introduction: Who are you and what would you like to see more of in contemporary art? (no more than 300 words)
This question is designed to get to know you as a person, your professional and creative background, and what you see as priorities for our sector.
Tell us about an exhibition that you saw in the past year that resonated with you and why (approx. 100 - 200 words)
This question helps us get a feel for how you engage with contemporary practice and what you think makes a project impactful. This isn’t just about what you like, it’s about getting a sense of how you connect with the arts, celebrate your peers, and what interests you.
We know not everyone has the same access to physical galleries and exhibitions, so any experience whether virtual or in-person, works for us.
Tell us about an art organisation that you love Or share a positive experience you have had working with an art organisation (approx. 100 - 200 words)
We want to hear about arts organisations that you think are doing things well and why. We’re interested in models and programs that are valued by artists, alongside transformative and purposeful initiatives that are changing how we engage with art for the better.
TO SUBMIT
Please provide:
a single-page PDF answering the three EOI questions; and
a single-page PDF Artist CV