If your question is not answered here please join us for our Virtual Q + A on Wednesday 22 February, 6pm (Follow this link to register)
What are Q’s expected outcomes for the residency?
During the course of the residency we will provide two opportunities to present your ideas. The first opportunity will be about halfway through the month to update Q’s team on how you’re going and if requested Q’s team can provide feedback, this initial presentation will be informal. A second and final presentation will occur at the end of the residency. How formal or fully formed your presentation is will depend on the project, it might be a showing, a reading or even just a PowerPoint. For this presentation an invite will be sent to industry members and peers of your choice.
We will also gather content such as images, video content and interviews to capture the programme properly to allow it to grow into its next iteration, as well as celebrate the work of the artists involved.
Am I able to apply for this residency if I have other work commitments?
Yes, how you use your time is up to you, however if you have a have a full-time job it would likely be difficult for you to give the space to get the most out of this residency. For the sake of clarity, please acknowledge your commitments as part of your application and lay out a general plan for how you would use your time.
Can I apply with an existing project?
Yes. It could be the seed of an idea, or it could be an idea that has gotten to a point that needs space to grow into the next iteration. There is no preference, but we want to acknowledge the often-unpaid labour artists undertake to develop ideas and this residency is a wonderful place to do just that.
What if I have had previous support or funding for this project?
You can still apply. However, if your initial support comes from another Auckland venue that may be an issue. Should your idea/project eventuate into a potential production, Q will ideally be the first venue/partner you talk to. You are welcome to apply and give context as this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker.
What if this project has already had a life? For example, it has come out of other workshops or my PhD thesis?
If you can show us what you would get out of the residency in terms of growing or developing the idea, it doesn’t matter what stage the idea is currently in or where it has come from.
Are you more interested in solo work or can groups, or collaborations apply?
The programme is currently set up for an individual, and the support and renumeration is based on that. However, if you wanted to split it, then we need to understand what that means in terms of fairness financially and if you would be splitting the workload (potentially both working on it part time and not full time).
Is there any flexibility in the dates of the residency?
These dates have been chosen as there is a space in our calendar. It is our intention that you would have access to the space and the people at Q so that makes it hard to move the dates. There might be flexibility for it to shift slightly but not by any significant amount of time.
What do you mean when you say the work needs to connect with Tāmaki Makaurau? How important is that?
This is really important to us. Our audience is largely made up of people living in Tāmaki, and our stories and tales about Tāmaki life are a big part of what we choose to celebrate. This is not to say it needs to be a story about living in this area, it just needs to connect with the people that live here.
If there are two residencies available, can each have a dedicated space for the full month, or will you be expected to move around?
We will assess the different projects along with their requirements and do what we can. However, utilizing a single space for four weeks is highly unlikely. However we would like a chance for everyone to be able to have the space to play in Rangatira for example.
Will we be able to access the building in the evenings and weekends? For example, for artists that work 9 - 5?
Yes. We will work with each resident, and we’ll aim to accommodate flexible working hours.
Is there a cap on how many people you could have in a space at any time? If we wanted to bring in a group to workshop or test something?
Only by the fire regulations.
What are the spaces that are available to work in?
Rangatira Theatre (located on ground level)
Capacity: 338 (End On)
www.qtheatre.co.nz/venue/rangatira
Loft (located on level 2)
Capacity: 117 (Endstage)
www.qtheatre.co.nz/venue/loft
Vault
Predominantly a rehearsal space / flat floor
Vault is accessible from Queen Street and can be isolated from the rest of the building.
Capacity: 60
www.qtheatre.co.nz/venue/vault
Please note: Rangatira and Loft will be unavailable for periods due to confirmed bookings.
Is there a specific pool of Mentors you will be choosing from for the successful applicant? What if my discipline is particularly niche?
It is our intention to work with you to find a mentor to suit. You might be after someone with a different set of skills to challenge and support you, you might want an expert in your specific area to hone in on elevating your work or you might be wanting someone to help you with thinking wider about your career. We do not have a specific group of people we are looking at. Mentors will be paid for their time, and we would expect mentors and artists to meeting in person or virtually once a week.
I’m interested in learning more about how to use the sound board and AV as part of my exploration, but what if I don’t have any experience with that equipment?
As a venue, that is exactly the type of support we hope to be able to give the artists involved. We will work with you to get an understanding of what you’re trying to achieve and provide suitable crew to support this exploration.
Would I have access to sound equipment during the residency?
Yes. You can use whatever audio equipment is on-site and available. Please note that some equipment might be unavailable due to confirmed shows, but we will work with you to find the best way to support you. Anytime you’re using equipment we’ll need to ensure you’re working alongside a Q technician. We will cover these crew costs as part of the residency.
Can I bring in my own technician?
Yes, you can. We ask that you renumerate anyone you are collaborating with fairly. The allocated budget of $2,700 per artist and this can be used towards bringing in collaborators.
Will there be access to Venue Technicians for support? Is there an extra cost associated with that?
Yes, there will be access to a VT at no additional cost however it won’t be someone that is available full time for you. If you required dedicated full-time support for the month that wouldn’t be achievable.
Does Q have any preconceived notions about what is in each space?
Within the month we would envision each of the residents to play in all Q’s different spaces as they offer different opportunities. For example, playing in Rangatira is about getting used to a bigger space. The kind of work that fits in those spaces doesn’t often get a chance to be born in those spaces.
Can we include supporting documents with our applications?
If you think it will really add to the idea then you can, but we suggest no more than one page, keep it short and concise, and distil what you want to achieve as tightly as possible, it’s more about the strength of the idea.
Does the ideal applicant have to be performance based?
If there is a performance or live component outcome, then that’s ok. However, if you’re working towards something that isn’t focused on a live presentation e.g., recording an album or a podcast then that wouldn’t fit the criteria. There will need to be a performance element to the outcome of the work.
Am I able to bring my kids into the space if I need to?
Yes, we would just have to make sure all health and safety precautions are considered. For example, avoiding days when you’re using dangerous equipment. We will endeavour to make it work for you, so don’t let being a busy parent hold you back from applying. Q’s vault space is relatively isolated and safe for kiddos to run around, Rangatira on the other hand has a number of hazards that would require a dedicated person to keep an eye on little humans.
If I bring others in to work on the project, even if they’re friends, do they have to be paid?
The intention of the project is that we honour the time of individual artists and add value to that time, so we would encourage you to hold the spirit of that when making your decisions but ultimately that is your call to make. Our suggestion is that anyone you bring into help would be paid no less than $25 per hour (CNZ recommendation for artist renumeration)
Can I use part of the $2700 development costs for collaborators or support workers?
Yes, that is the perfect use of this budget.
What are the criteria the panel will be judging on?
There are no specific criteria that will be ticked off. It will be based on the strength of the idea and the ability to explore that idea. Ideally, will be looking for a variety of voices, disciplines, and genres across the two artists.
Is there a preference of scripted work over simply an idea?
No, there is no preference. It’s not about where the project is at, it’s about the idea. The intention of this programme is to give space to those ideas that might not otherwise develop because you need to pay the bills. We want to allow the financial and mental space for you to develop and idea or to bring a project to its next iteration.
Does the application have to fit into 350 words?
Each section on the form has different word limits to keep the ideas succinct. We won’t throw out your application if you go over by a couple of words, but we encourage you to keep it concise. The form might cut you off so if you need to elaborate and you think it’s worthwhile you can attach an additional word document but we would suggest no more than one extra page.
Can I link to supporting videos or images?
If you believe it will add to your application then yes, but nothing that is too long as panelists won’t have the time to watch anything longer than 1-2 minutes.
If a project is accepted, what is the possibility to partner to a full production?
We don’t currently know what that will look like because it depends on your project. We may encourage you to apply for Summer at Q or MATCHBOX, or we might talk to you about something bigger. Most productions would still have to seek some sort of funding from a funding body, but we’re keen to support in the exploration of how that might work.
Is there a piano at Q?
No. But if something like that was required for a project to be successful, we would work with you to make a plan and support you where we can.
How will I know if I’ve been successful?
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email and successful applicants will receive a phone call.