Associate Artists
The Associate Artists Scheme is a programme for artists' development at The Substation.
Set up in early 2003, this scheme provides artists with rehearsal, performance or exhibition space as well as curatorial, administrative and publicity support. Artists in the scheme are selected by the Artistic Co-directors on a yearly basis. The terms of appointment vary, but artists generally stay for at least two years.
The Associate Artists Scheme was created to rationalise The Substation’s work and also in response to developments in the Singapore arts scene. While there is an increasing number of arts events and activities, it is still difficult to sustain a full-time artistic career whether you are an individual artist or a member of an arts group, and there is little support for developmental work – the process of training, research, experimentation and rehearsal before an actual presentation.
The Associate Artists scheme prioritises the research and development aspect of the artist's work. Artists selected for the scheme have to demonstrate a commitment to deepening their practice. They are usually artists working independently and not attached to or employed by another arts group.
The amount and type of support The Substation offers each Associate Artist depends on each artist’s needs. There is also a commitment on the part of The Substation to help the artists develop viable careers and opportunities for the future, with the objective of sustaining the artists' practice. The Substation co-produces and presents projects by Associate Artists throughout the year.
Associate Artists have created solo exhibitions, performances, initiated their own arts projects, collaborations and festivals, and been invited to regional and international festivals.
Currently, The Substation is planning to organise occasional "Associate Artist seminars", where Associates present their current research or works-in-progress to an audience comprising mainly practitioners and students.