Strong interest from local artists for Unexpected Port

Six innovative projects have been awarded grants as part of the Unexpected Port program.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Tom Koutsantonis said strong interest was received in the grants as part of the program of arts events that begins in February next year.

“There were almost 40 applications for grants from across South Australia,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“The six successful recipients were chosen based on their innovative, creative and inspiring submissions.

“It is encouraging that this program – a partnership between Renewal SA, Arts SA and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield – received such strong support from professional artists, who are excited by the appeal and potential of Port Adelaide and its historic waterfront.”

“Early activation programs such as Unexpected Port are intended to support the state government’s vision of more people living, working, investing and spending time in the Port.”

The six successful grant recipients are:

  • Design Ethic for Augmented Port: an interactive project spanning art, architecture and technology
  • FELTspace for FELTmaps: site-specific contemporary art installations around the Port
  • Twine Projects for Rupture, The Art of Collective Collisions
  • Deb Jones and Danica Gacesa McLean for installation style photography in disused buildings
  • Stephen Noonan to remount his successful performance The Special One, and
  • Port Adelaide Artists Forum to create floating sculptural forms for its Mangrove project.

Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts Chloë Fox said projects including art, photography, performances and sculpture will showcase local talent during the February to June program.

“Unexpected Port Adelaide is coming together with an exciting mix of established and emerging South Australian artists,” Ms Fox said.

“Unexpected Port is based on the Unexpected City program that has already enlivened Adelaide’s CBD this year and I look forward to seeing that success replicated at the Port.”

Unexpected Port is a one-off grant program that invited artists to share in $50,000 to create and present arts projects to enliven Port Adelaide.