Asialink Arts Residency Survey (2000)

Summary (see below to download detailed results)
The Arts Residency survey was sent in October 2000 by post, email and via the internet to 143 Asialink Arts Residents with 59 responding by January 2001 - a response rate of 41 percent. These residents cover the period 1991 - 1998 and were based in numerous cities and regional areas across 12 countries in Asia. The residency program began with visual artists in 1991 followed by Performing Artists and Arts Managers in 1996 and Writers in 1997.

This short (2 page) survey was a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions looking at the experience of the residents and the effect of the residency on career and artistic development as well as outcomes and future projects. (Click here to download the original survey as a word document Asialink Arts Survey 2000)

Experience of Asia
A majority (85%) of the residents had some experience of Asia prior to their residency but just under half (46%) had not been to their host country before. Around 40% have returned to the host country following the residency for various reasons, often to pursue projects that grew out of the residency, with lack of funds being the main reason preventing many artists from revisiting.

"I have just returned from collaborating with Vietnam Opera Ballet theatre, designing and mentoring a project with 7 young Vietnamese choreographers and Cheryl Stock - Australian director and choreographer." Michael Pearce, Performing Arts Vietnam 1998.

Peter Adsett has been invited by the custodians of Mt Lawu to return to paint the sacred cloud there in 2001. "To travel on the wind and be asked to enter the cloud has allowed a number of series to be painted since then in preparation to go to MT Lawu to enter the cloud. The last year is preparing for such a task. The only reason I have not returned as yet is no money. But hope to do this next year."
Apart from actually returning to the host country, 89% of residents surveyed maintained contact through email and mail and half have assisted visitors from their host country to come to Australia.

Career
The residencies are very important for career development with 81% of respondents giving it a rating of high to extreme significance and no one rating it less than reasonably significant.

"Produced major work, held major exhibition, led to gallery representation in host country and international shows." Charles Green & Lyndell Brown, Visual Arts/Craft India 1997/8.

Performing artist Victoria Spence (India 1998) sums up a common response to the overall impact of the residencies: "It was the most challenging experience I had ever had in terms of negotiating language and cultural differences and expectations around my role. Yet it proved to be the most fruitful experience I had ever had as I was really able to develop and refine skills and understandings that I had not had cause to learn before."

Valuable aspects of the residency
Time, space, different cultures and people, contacts, ideas - the residencies have so many valuable aspects and this question can perhaps be summarised by Rachel Apelt, Visual Arts/Craft resident to the Philippines 1995/6: "It opened up breathing space for my philosophy and methodology. I connected with artists who've become great friends. These connections led to ongoing projects."

Artistic Influence
Artistically the impact of the residencies was quite significant with 70% rating it as high to extremely influential on their artistic practice or its content. For some it signified a radical shift in their approach to their art form: "It influenced my artistic practice significantly. I changed my approach to choreography work on myself and others. It encouraged me to experiment more, to be more patient, and to be more hands on in my choreography." Martin Kwasner, Performing Arts, Korea 1999/0. For others the content of their work developed but not necessarily their actual practice: "It gave me more things to write about but did not influence my style." Lee Cataldi, Literature India 1998/9. Others are still trying to understand the long term impact the experience has had although there is little doubt of its significance. For arts managers this question was not relevant and to a large extent this accounts for the 15% who gave it a lower score.

Outcomes
Outcomes of the residencies include exhibitions and catalogues, books and publications, invitations to return for various reasons, theatrical and musical productions, articles or publication in magazines and journals, talks on the residency experience both in Australia and overseas, visitors and groups coming to Australia, organisational relationships and courses established, contracts and agreements, further grants and opportunities and much more, including of course friendships and ongoing working partnerships. "Twenty three of the resulting poems have been published in Australian journals; eight have been published overseas; a "S.E. Asian" manuscript is in preparation; I have received 2 ArtsSA grants and 1 Literature Board Grant - these poems were in the supporting material." Jan Owen, Literature Malaysia 1997/8

Current Projects
Often these outcomes are still in the process of being created and 61% of respondents said their current projects were related to their host country. These are often a combination of projects and ideas developed as a result of the residency as well as other inflences and developments. James Cunningham & Suzon Fuks, (Performing Arts India 1999/0) write: "We will have a residency at the Brisbane Powerhouse next September/October 2001 with Vinildas Gurukkal giving kalaripayatt master classes and using our previous work Cheating Death as a starting point for a new mutlimedia dance piece inspired by the theme of Death."

Publicity
This question looked at publicity after the residency had concluded. Most residents would have gained some sort of publicity during their residency predominantly through newspapers with some television and radio coverage and articles and coverage in Australian media also. A number have gained further exposure through the later outcomes of their residency such as exhibitions, performances, publications etc. Talks and forums have also been an opportunity to speak about the experience. "The residency has received promotion through artists talks on several occasions nationally. Since 1997 the residency has received mentions in a number of newspaper articles." Rodney Spooner, Visual Arts/Craft India 1996/7

Comments
These were often related to a need to follow-up on the residency experience by funding return visits, facilitating more communication between residents, regular information updates and reciprocal residencies. It was also great to hear from people just how positive their experiences of the Asialink residency program had been:
"The Asialink Residency was a great experience and I hope this project has a long future. Personally I wish to continue the dialogue that has developed with individuals and institututions in Thailand. Friends are important and I have made some great ones in Thailand. Being an ambassador for my culture in Thailand was a great honour and I hope others enjoy the experience. Good luck with future projects." Wendy Teakel, Visual Arts/Craft Thailand 1996/7

"With the slowness of the process of making art to exhibition time (e.g. grant application, exhibition application) Asialink could be more active in follow up after the residency, and help organise exhibition opportunities within Australia. It would be good to feel more informed of cultural goings on within the region, could be included in Newsletter, and this information could be brokered by DFAT. Obviously, there is a recognition that Asialink could be more supportive of residencies by Asian Artists, especially from Asian people. This could be encouraged. I would like to see greater communication between past and future residents facilitated."
Michael Bullock, Visual Arts/Craft Vietnam 1999/0

"I am also encouraged by the fact that Asialink takes a genuine interest in my work, and has maintained links with me well after the completion of my residency, through formal invitations to meet other residents or participate in forums, and informally by way of phone calls and e-mail messages -- and even such things as this questionnaire." Javant Biarujia, Literature Indonesia 1998

Thank you
Thank you to all those who filled in the survey. The winner of the book gift voucher was Damon Moon. We can still accept completed surveys or any updates on projects or opportunities that have occured as a result of your residency.

For full details of the questions and results as well as extensive quotes and comments download Asialink Arts Residency Survey 2000 Results as PDF file.