West Australian Music announces the Felix Burrows Music Residency programme

West Australian Music (WAM), in partnership with the City of Melville and Goolugatup Heathcote announces the establishment of a dynamic new artist residency programme; the Felix Burrows Music Residency. This exciting new program will offer two three-month residencies per annum, providing talented Western Australian musical arts practitioners with a fully equipped studio space at Goolugatup Heathcote.

Thanks to the Felix Culpa Fund and the Fremantle Foundation, each resident artist will also be offered $5,000 to assist them with the creation and development of new work whilst in residence.

The residency programme has been named in recognition and remembrance of Felix Burrows. Felix was a beloved local musician, playing drums in bands such as The Feast of Snakes and Darling Rangers. He was also a prolific visual artist and passionate force in the local cinema community. Since his tragic and untimely passing in 2018, Felix’s life and artistic work have been continually celebrated by friends, family and peers. The Felix Burrows Music Residency forms a fitting tribute to the legacy and creativity of this generous, energetic and widely-loved local artist.

The residency program marks an exciting artist-first development at WAM and represents the first music-oriented opportunity within the artist residencies at Goolugatup Heathcote.

Georgia Kennedy, Strategic Relationships and Development Manager at WAM, said: “The Felix Burrows Music Residency program offers an outstanding career development and support opportunity for West Australian contemporary music practitioners of all disciplines, and WAM is delighted to be able to offer it to WA artists for the first time. We have equipped a beautiful studio space here at Goolugatup, and our residents will have a range of musical and recording equipment available to assist them in the creation of new work. We are incredibly grateful to the City of Melville for how enthusiastically they have embraced the idea.

I also offer my thanks and respect to the Felix Culpa Fund, the Fremantle Foundation and Felix’s mother Rebecca Champion for allowing us to create this wonderful opportunity in remembrance of Felix Burrows. We know each of our residents will be honouring him through the work they create whilst in residence.”

The Felix Burrows Residency program is an important strategic initiative that supports the achievement of our mission. It is anticipated that there will be significant interest in being one of the resident artists.

The inaugural resident artist selected for this first residency is Sophia Hansen-Knarhoi. Sophia is a composer/singer songwriter based in Boorloo/Perth, who has recently completed her degree at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Music Composition and Technology. Sophia is a self produced artist creating ethereal ambient folk and experimental work with lyrical poignancy. She is a vocalist/cellist/guitarist/sound artist, working collaboratively through performer integrated sound design for theatre, dance, film, and contemporary art.

The Felix Burrows Music Residency is for artists working across all areas of music. It provides funding and facilities to support the development of their work, set within an arts centre based in one of Perth’s most beautiful locations that will no doubt be a source of inspiration to all. Two residencies will be available each year between April and October, and expressions of interest will be sought from individuals at all levels of experience. A panel will select the awarded artists based on a range of criteria. No fixed outcome is required by the program.

Expressions of Interest from artists and creatives for the next residency period (1 August – 31 October 2024) will open on Friday 24 May. The application form is available here. 

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For photos, quotes and other media requests:

Charlotte Calvert WAM Communications Officer p: 9227 7962 e: communications@wam.org.au

WAM acknowledges the First Nations people of the many traditional language groups and lands on which we work across Western Australia and pay our respects to their cultures, and to their Elders past, present and emerging.

About WAM

West Australian Music (or WAM as it is best known) has been championing the interests of WA’s incredible musical artists since 1985. WAM’s programs and services are fundamental to the growth and development of West Australian artists and are the bridge between new and emerging artists and the broader industry. WAM’s vision is for a unified, thriving WA music sector that is both loved and acclaimed. WAM’s mission is to cultivate and elevate the value of WA’s unique and diverse soundtrack for the benefit and enrichment of the artform and the community.

About the City of Melville / Goolugatup Heathcote

The City of Melville recognises the importance of art and culture as vital elements in the City’s quest to become a healthy, safe, inclusive, prosperous and sustainable community. As Melville grows and diversifies, culture-making and participation help to foster a resilient, learning-oriented community. Goolugatup Heathcote is a cultural precinct overlooking the river in Applecross, WA. The heritage site is home to thriving cultural and recreational activities including a contemporary art gallery, artist studios, creative small businesses, restaurant, public markets and events.