The Australia Council has announced that Queensland-based composer Gordon Hamilton and beatboxer Tom Thum (for whom Hamilton wrote his Concerto for Beatboxer and Orchestra) will be the first artistic team to take up a new residency at the UKARIA Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills. The residency, a partnership between UKARIA and the Australia Council announced in February, gives artists the opportunity to spend up to ten days at UKARIA, as well as $10,000 in cash support to assist with travel and per diems. Hamilton and Thum plan to use the residency to develop new works that will be premiered in upcoming performances in Germany.

Beatboxer Tom Thum and composer Gordon Hamilton. Photo: BBC Proms 

Sydney-based composer Nick Wales will also undertake a residency in November, leading an interdisciplinary team including Japanese sculptor Shun Ito in the first stage of developing a new work titled Kinetic Wonderland.

“We are excited to partner with the Australia Council to provide this opportunity for Australian musicians and composers,” said UKARIA CEO Alison Beare. “The strong response to our call out is testament to the fantastic opportunities which can be created through these kinds of partnerships.”

Residents at UKARIA...