The Nextdoor Artist Run Initiative (ARI) was founded in 2020 with a vision of creating opportunities for South-East Queensland based contemporary artists to grow and develop. Today this collective includes Audrey Roberts and Lyss Cassidy, and the following QUT Alumni – Landen Callander, Joaquin Gonzales, Claire Su, Abigail Rutter, Lillian Whitaker, and Bella Deary.
The QUT Alumni Team sat down with Bella about Nextdoor ARI, to learn more about the collective, Bella’s own career and what issues she sees facing artists in the next five to ten years.
Can you tell us more about Nextdoor ARI and how it began?
Nextdoor ARI was established by a group of close friends upon graduating from visual arts at QUT. The artist-run initiative was born out of a passion to create more opportunities for emerging artists, functioning as the ‘next door’ for many new graduates and early career artists. We are particularly passionate about facilitating the creation, exhibition and discussion of experimental contemporary art practices. We also care about fostering a sense of community and do this by hosting solo and group exhibitions, zine (self-published work) fairs and makers markets, video art screening events, trivia, art swap events and more.
As a successful artist in your own right, what brought you to Nextdoor ARI?
I joined Nextdoor ARI in 2023 (three years after its founding) when the team needed extra hands moving into a gallery space at the 4217 complex in Surfers Paradise. I was eager to expand my skillset as an arts worker and to connect with emerging artists both in South-East Queensland and interstate (and of course lend a hand to my pals).
What can we expect to see from Nextdoor ARI in the next 12 months?
The team is cooking up some plans for the next 12 months as we speak. You can expect to see another zine fair from Nextdoor in this timeline!
In your personal view what do you see are the emerging issue/s that artists will face in the next 5-10 years?
As areas continue becoming gentrified and rental costs rise (particularly in Brisbane) I think artists will struggle to find adequate studio and gallery spaces. These spaces are so critical, especially for emerging artists who rely on inclusive, accessible, and affordable exhibition spaces where they can show experimental work and receive critical feedback from their peers. These issues make it increasingly difficult for artist-run initiatives to operate as they are often established by volunteers and require an immense amount of energy. It’s important that the community shows up for other artists in this time by attending art events and continuing to foster a sense of community and value for art - which the Meanjin art community typically does so beautifully. Ideally, we also need more incubator/residency programs and exhibition spaces targeted for emerging artists in Australia’s capital cities.
What might a standard week look like for you?
My standard week is currently filled with making final edits on my PhD thesis! I also work as a gallery technician at HOTA and sessional academic at QUT. Amongst this I also like to attend exhibition openings and try to make time to practice in my studio.
What is one goal you'd like to achieve – professionally or personally - in the next year?
Submitting my PhD will be my major goal this year! Alongside this I’d also like to establish a sustainable self-guided routine to expand my art practice, and assist in facilitating future Nextdoor ARI events.
Can you name some of the individuals who inspire you? What qualities in these individuals do you admire and seek to emulate in your own work/life?
Patricia Piccinini was one of the first artists to inspire me. Her work asks people to empathise with unknown, fictional creatures and I have found this to be an inspiring expression of eco-centrism. She turns our attention to diverse, non-human creatures and asks us to care for them as family - something that I think we all need to practice taking better care of our natural environment.
What is one skill you couldn’t live without and why?
Critical thinking/questioning. I think being an artist strongly depends on your ability to question your surroundings and think critically about the systems you are situated within. It inspires reflection and begs you to notice when change is necessary - and implores you to become a changemaker.
QUT degrees – Bachelor of Fine Arts (2020)
Do you have a question for Bella? Connect with her on Linkedin.
Author
Joanna is an integrated marketing communications specialist with an interest in the Faculties of Health, Business and Law. She holds a Master of Business, Bachelor of Mass Communication and Diploma in Business Information Systems.