Liquid Architecture Festival of Sound Arts Australia

Liquid Architecture, Australiaʼs premier festival of the sonic arts, is seeking expressions of interest to curate the 2014 festival.

Since its inception in 1999, Liquid Architecture has presented an annual festival comprising a wide array of Australian and international artists working across the broad spectrum of music and sound art. We are looking for a person or team to curate a thoughtful program that challenges and invigorates Australian audiences, and maintaining the excellent standard of festival presentation that Liquid Architecture is renowned for internationally. While an aspect of touring performances should be part of the planned festival, there is opportunity to engage exhibition and alternative formats of presentation.

You will be supported by an experienced board, curatorial committee, general manager and production team.

The term of the appointment is approximately 18 months: February 2013 to September 2014.
Duties include:
2013
• Development of curatorial idea
• Curation of artists
• Development of project plan for festival in consultation with general manager.
• Liaison with artists, production teams, board members, funding bodies and other key festival stakeholders.
• Reporting to the Liquid Architecture board at key milestones.
• Grant writing to secure funding for 2014.
2014
• Curatorial delivery of Liquid Architecture festival.
• Acquittal of grants.

Selection criteria:
• An exciting initial curatorial vision(s) for the festival
• An ability to develop an ambitious but achievable project management plan
• Curatorial experience in running interesting and engaging audience events.
• Excellent communication skills, including developing media.
• Experience in dealing with a broad range of individuals and organisations.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Successful grant writing experience.

The successful recipient will receive remuneration in two stages: Initial funding for grant writing and concept development in 2013 (please contact us for this), and then a curatorial fee for delivery of the festival in 2014 (which will be subject to funding outcomes).

Proposals should be 1-2 pages, outlining your curatorial proposal/vision and addressing the selection criteria. Please include a current CV in addition to your proposal.

The deadline for expressions of interest is January 30, 2013, midnight.

Submissions should be made to Bianca Durrant, General Manager, via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For further information, please contact Philip Samartzis This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Michael Graeve This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The theme for the 2013 festival is The Sonic City and is directed by leading Australian sound artist, curator and academic Dr Philip Samartzis and fellow curator and academic Dr Kristen Sharp.

The Sonic City is based on a series of site-specific artworks responding to the spaces, sounds and sights of Melbourne city. The Sonic City will take place in Melbourne from the 29 August 2013 – 14 September 2013, with an accompanying national touring performance program. The program features new works by established and emerging artists from Australia, Japan and Spain. The works will include sound and visual installations and performances highlighting the unique characteristics of the city. A reciprocal presentation is being planned for 2014 in Japan with participating artists.

The Sonic City will include a range of sonic and visual performance/installation presentations focussed on transport, mobility and unfamiliar urban spaces. In addition to galleries and performance venues, the Melbourne program will be located in public spaces such as trams, laneways, rooftops, historic buildings, parking garages and parks. These site-specific works will comprise installations and performances, scheduled across the festival period, which highlight the unique spatial and acoustic nuances of city spaces. The aim is to generate new and unexpected artistic encounters for audiences. By focussing on everyday and often overlooked spaces, the project promotes a deeper awareness of the transforming nature of cities.