Community Halls Artists in Residency Program

The Macedon Ranges Community Halls Incorporated are trialling an Arts Residency Program as a creative way to activate their community facilities.

The program offers spaces to artists of any genre to develop works during the conceptual stages, rehearsal or creation of works for up to six weeks or longer by arrangement. This program began at the Old Primary School in Kerrie which James Cecil from Super Melody is using the facility to record local bands, performers and other artists in exchange for curating free performances for the local community.

Another residency has just finished with local choreographer Alex Harrison who has used both Baynton and Clarkefield Halls. The work titled The Difficult Comedown that will be presented during Dance Massive in March this year at ArtHouse. Collaborating artists initially drove to Baynton Hall (Great country atmosphere) during the first two weeks of rehearsals. Then the residency moved to a bigger space at Clarkefield Reserve/Hall where the key collaborators were able to easily catch the train from Melbourne to the rehearsal space. These artistic collaborators included composer Marco Cher-Gibard, designer Anna Tregloan, lighting designer Bosco Shaw and dramaturg Cynthia Troupe as well as musician Kirri Büchler.

The local community were bemused, happy and interested with this new development.

“We also enjoyed several visits from locals wondering what we were up to as we covered the floor in confetti, ran around the fields in strange costumes, stretched on the deck, marvelled at the weather rolling in and out each day, the insects, the wind and the silences.” Alex Harrison.

The residency program links to the Arts and Culture Strategy in providing diverse opportunities for people to explore arts and culture, support local artists and arts-based businesses and support the provision of viable creative spaces for making and exhibiting art.

There are plans for Lauriston Hall to be included in this program into the future.

Pictured are Alex Harrison from Lancefield on the left and her collaborator Paea Leach at Baynton Hall.