Studio 2024 Artists

ADELAIDE CONTEMPORARY EXPERIMENTAL (ACE) ANNOUNCES FIVE ARTISTS SELECTED FOR THE ACE 2024 STUDIO PROGRAM.

ACE is delighted to announce the full lineup of 2024 Studio Program artists: Abbey Murdoch and Katey Smoker. They will join Carly Tarkari Dodd, Marian Sandberg and Emmaline Zanelli.

This program – the only one of its kind in South Australia – will see the artists benefit from a year-long, fully funded studio residency featuring tailored professional development opportunities and exhibition outcomes. Working as part of a cohort of fellow artists, the ACE Studio Program gives residents the space to experiment with their practice and grow their professional careers. 

South Australian artist Katey Smoker was awarded from the Helpmann Academy and Abbey Murdoch from Adelaide Central School of Art.

"We are so thrilled to welcome this new cohort of talented local artists who are working across a range of practices, perspectives and ideas, and I'm excited to see how this experience unfolds for their work. The Studio Program is a key way in which ACE fosters creative development in South Australian artists, supporting them to extend and elevate their practice and encouraging experimentation and critical thinking. This year's artists are already actively making interesting new work, exploring ideas and connecting with each other and I'm sure they are going to make some important creative discoveries throughout their time in the Studio Program." says ACE’s Artistic Director, Dannielle Zuvela.

Individually tailored for each participant, the Studio Program is designed to support artists at a crucial point in their careers, building on existing strengths and creating opportunities for them to grow conceptually and professionally. 

Each artist is provided with 24-hour access to a studio, professional development opportunities including studio visits with Australian and international curators, introductions to visiting artists, participation in public programs, profiling and promotional opportunities, and mentorships with ACE staff.

“I already feel so supported as I make the transition from study into my independent emerging practice” says Abbey Murdoch, ACE 2024 Studio Program recipient. 

“This opportunity will provide me with invaluable resources, mentorship, and exposure, while also fostering confidence and enabling the development of the skills necessary to further refine my emerging arts practice.” says Katey Smoker, ACE 2024 Studio Program recipient.

The Program culminates in the presentation of Studios: 2024 (9 November – 14 December), a showcase exhibition that offers the public an opportunity to explore the work developed during this unmatched Studio Program curated by new Artistic Director, Dannielle Zuvela..

In 2024 ACE will again partner with Firstdraft, an independent, artist-led gallery in Sydney, to provide an interstate exhibiting opportunity for one of the studio artists. This opportunity will see a 2024 ACE Studio artist develop and present a solo exhibition as part of Firstdraft’s 2024 program, supported by an artist fee, materials budget, and travel bursary. This opportunity will assist the artist in forging pathways to gain national recognition.

The 2024 Studio Program is also supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, Helpmann Academy, Adelaide Central School of Art, and the generosity of private donors through ACE’s Studio Donors Program.⁠