Last year’s Hall Pass scholarship winner, Daisy Catterall. Photo by Laura Du Ve, courtesy of the artist
The residents of Melbourne’s Magic Johnston studio share a passion for collaboration and, presumably, basketball-related puns. Occupied by photographers, composers, painters, writers, jewellers, designers, filmmakers and a famously good coffee shop, the converted warehouse is one of the city’s most dynamic and well-caffeinated creative centres. Applications are currently open for their Hall Pass scholarship program, in which an upcoming creative will receive a rent-free studio for three months.
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The most recent recipient, Daisy Catterall, used her time at Magic Johnston to launch the first issue of her feminist zine Keep Brave. For the next few months she’ll be focussing on getting the zine stocked internationally, working on another publication, putting together a podcast, and finishing her final year of art school.
Keep Brave zine. Photo by Laura Du Ve, courtesy of the artist
Daisy says that one of the best things about having a studio space at Magic Johnston is being surrounded by other residents. “They’re all super diligent and dedicated, and it’s infectious,” she tells The Creators Project. “A lot of them work in the studios as their full time job too, so it's motivating to see creative practitioners take themselves and their practice seriously enough to make a real go of it.”
A look inside Magic Johnston. Photo by Mia Mala McDonald, courtesy of Magic Johnston
“Even though it’s quite a large studio complex, the cosy feelings come pretty easily. The studios are divided into corridors, lock-up spaces and open plan areas, so there are little communities that form around you,” she says. “And when there's a launch or opening in our front space, we all try to get out there for a drink and support each other's works.” Another upside? “Some of our most important residents are dogs.”When it comes to putting together your application, Daisy says it’s important to have a clear and realistic idea of what you want to achieve over the three month period, as well as letting your personality shine through. You can head here to apply (applications close April 25, and the recipient will be announced on May 1).
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