McClelland launches a new Arts Residency Program in 2025
Get ready for a new chapter at McClelland. Thanks to the generous support from the Graham Family Trusts, we're thrilled to announce the 2025 McClelland Arts Residency Program. This landmark initiative will host an annual contemporary artist/s and musician/s in residence, complete with a stipend.
This program is all about fostering creativity and innovation. It offers Australian contemporary artists and musicians the perfect environment to develop new work and engage with the community. Our self-contained cottage will be their creative haven, allowing them to immerse themselves in their craft.
Artistic & Executive Director, Lisa Byrne, shared her excitement: “Through this program, we strive to support art practice in a sustainable way, extending Harry and Annie May McClelland’s vision for fostering an artistic centre for the wider Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region. We are thrilled to have selected the artists for 2025 and look forward to seeing their unique work emerge from this unique natural environment.”
Meet our 2025 residents:
William Barton: A yidaki virtuoso, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist. William has performed with the Philharmonic Orchestras of London and Berlin, and at historic events like Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey. His accolades include the Best Original Score at the 2018 Sydney Theatre Awards and Best Classical Album with ARIA for "Birdsong At Dusk" in 2012. William's prodigious musicality and Kalkadunga heritage have expanded the horizons of the yidaki and the culture it represents.
Véronique Serret: A powerhouse violinist, vocalist, and composer known for her versatility and willingness to experiment across genres. Véronique has performed with the Sydney Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony, and at festivals like Four Winds and MonaFoma. Her ARIA-nominated album "HEARTLAND," co-composed with William Barton, is touring nationally. Their orchestral work "Kalkani" opened the QSO season in 2023, and their "Bush{fire} Requiem" was recently performed with the Sydney Symphony.
Aleks Danko: With a career spanning over five decades, Aleks is a leading spatial practitioner across sculpture, installation, drawing, performance, and text-based works. His satirical sharpness and conceptual rigor have made him one of the Australia’s most respected practitioners. Aleks has presented major solo exhibitions across Australia and participated in biennials in Paris, Sydney, Liverpool, and Adelaide.
This initiative not only provides a creative haven for artists like William Barton, Véronique Serret, and Aleks Danko but also ensures their work reaches a wider audience through exhibitions and performances at McClelland. By fostering a space where artistic innovation thrives, the program underscores McClelland's commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region, continuing the legacy of Harry and Annie May McClelland.
Join us in celebrating this exciting new initiative and the incredible talent it brings to McClelland. We acknowledge the significant support from our key philanthropic, partner The Graham Family Trusts who make this program possible.
