Hi, my name is Ester Poyas and my mission is to fund a trip for an Artists Residency.  I was recently unsuccessful in reaching my target in a Crowdfunding campaign and I am therefore launching another campaign with a lower target.

This year I have been accepted into a residency program with Studio Kura, which is located in the beautiful rural environment of Itoshima peninsula, in Fukuoka on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu in Japan.  Studio Kura opened in 2008 as an artistic institution running two different programs: artist in residence, as well as art classes for children and adults.  I have been studying Sumi-e (ink brush painting) and calligraphy for many years and to be able to engage in an Artist's Residency in Japan is a dream come true.  I am also interested in fostering a cultural exchange during my Artists Residency.

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Studio Kura’s Artist in Residence Program is a chance for domestic and international artists to experience and draw inspiration from Japan’s rural environment, as well as for Studio Kura’s thriving local community to meet different artists and their works.

Crowdfunding was a suggestion made to me by my mentor, who had previously run a successful campaign.  I had originally intended to apply for a grant, however the timing was not right.  In addition, funding cuts tend to hit the arts first, and government funding is becoming more and more difficult to come by.  So the solution was to find a different way to help fund my trip.

       A local Shinto shrine used for performances and art installations.

In 2016 I completed a Graduate Certificate in Visual Art at the VCA, University of Melbourne.  I applied to do a Master of Visual Art in 2017, however, due to stiff competition I was unsuccessful.  My ultimate aim is to reapply at the end of 2017.  I believe that an overseas Artist Residency will be a positive step towards gaining entry.

This will be my first time participating in an overseas artists' residency and the money raised will be used to help cover the cost of the residency.   Any remaining funds will be used to cover flights to and from Japan, plus other sundry travel expenses.

After researching grants and travelling scholarships I have found myself to be ineligible, as under 30 is the target age range.  Due to lack of government funding any and all grants are hard to come by.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated - a little goes a long way.

The challenge is to create a body of work to be exhibited at the end of the residency.  During the residency, I will be required to attend meetings, to present an exhibition, and to give an artist talk as the result of my activity during my stay. 

Studio Kura is an arts organization which presents exhibitions, events and residencies and which teaches art to people of all ages.  The company is run by founder Hirofumi Matsuzaki.  To be in the company of other artists from around the world, perhaps be influenced by them, and to produce work which will be on a par with international standards, is, in my mind, quite a challenge.

Because crowd-funding is all or nothing, meaning if you don't reach your target you don't get a cent, I have now set my goal at what I feel is an achievable target.  I will still have further expenses, the cost of which I will have to bear myself.