Download Crucible Artist Residency Brochure

Information for Applicants and Application Form

Our Objectives

The Hynds Foundation led by the Hynds Family seeks to support artists to develop their creative practice through a unique residency programme, based in the Gillies MetalTech Foundry, in the Historic Precinct of Ōamaru.

The Crucible is named for a crucial piece of foundry equipment. Metaphorically, it symbolises an environment where individuals, concepts, and experiences come together to create something new and forms the DNA of our residency.

‘The crucible is a vessel in which materials yield to intense heat before being transformed into an object. Metal making has often been described as part science, part magic…it is seldom a lone activity, requiring a team to bring the concept to fruition.

This process reflects the concept of creative endeavour, where ideas and inspiration undergo a transformative process, often through collaboration and intense effort, to become works of art.’

Our vision is to enable opportunity through creativity. Our objectives are for an Artist Residency programme that allows for –

• Artists to develop their creative practices, independently or in collaborations between artists, and the skilled craftsmen we have here at Gillies.
• All expressions and mediums of creativity.
• Community connection with artists through the experience.

The Context

The location is in the heart of the Ōamaru Historic Precinct where traces of the area’s industrious past are everywhere, providing a unique backdrop for creative endeavours. Artists are invited to work in the spacious light-filled Pattern Shop. Over the decades, Pattern Makers have used traditional wood working skills to meticulously craft patterns, from which moulds would be made, ready to receive molten metal.

The Opportunity in 2024

In 2024 we are offering a pilot residency to two artists. This will help us to co-design parameters for a successful programme. We seek to understand how we might develop a unique artist-in-residence programme within the context of a working foundry.

• Learn about and experience, a world outside normal life with opportunity for inter-disciplinary projects. Our artists may collaborate with one another or with our skilled foundry technicians should they desire.
• Develop your art practice. We encourage 2D, 3D and digital options.
• Share your work within the Ōamaru community.
• The Crucible Gallery is available to the artists during and/or after the residency period as agreed.
• There are also unique and interesting exhibition spaces within the precinct where work can be shown.
• Be supported to sell the work through our Crucible Gallery during the residency period, or for a period of time afterwards as agreed. Our pilot will be timed to culminate with a big event weekend in Ōamaru, such as Victorian Heritage Celebrations.

The proposed duration is 12-16 weeks.

A stipend of $650 (before tax) per week applies.

For artists not resident in Ōamaru, we will support an accommodation option based on your needs. Transport costs to Ōamaru are not included.

Artists should supply their own materials. Subject to discussion, the foundry can provide materials such as metals and consumables, and a charge for materials may be applied.

The timeline is as follows:
30 April - Closing date for applications
1 June - Selection Panel Decision advised
11 August - Artist Start Date 11 August (16 weeks) or 8
September (12 weeks)
1 December - Residency ends

Our requirements

• Through a pilot residency, we seek to understand artists’ needs. We will create space for formal and informal feedback from you to understand what we could do in the future.
• Strict adherence to all Health and Safety processes with site access restricted to normal foundry working hours.
• Commitment of the artist to make a body of work.
• By negotiation, we may seek a small commission on gallery sales or a product or concept that would help to generate income for the future of the residency. For instance, merchandise that can be made in the foundry from your concept to showcase the skills of our technicians, enabling their skills and knowledge to be credited and preserved.
• Engage with audiences beginning with our foundry team, and including the local community through an event where you will discuss your art practice.
• Help to coordinate and engage in an exhibition event.

Our vision for the foundry during the first years of our residency programme is to grow its capability as an arts fabrication space.

For inspiration, watch the Foundry technicians at work.

Further background

The Hynds Foundation leads the programme, which aligns with its vision of supporting the Arts, Culture and Community as outlined in its funding pillars.

There is strong collaboration with the local Gillies Metaltech team for the delivery of this programme.

In the medium term, inclusion of a visitor experience in the Artist Residency programme is important to the foundation’s goals to see the retention and revitalisation of the ancient art of metal casting. We know that visitors will be inspired not only by the fascinating foundry tools and techniques, but also by a programme that supports our artists to create new futures from old ways.

Originally established on its present site in Ōamaru in 1924, Gillies Metaltech has a well-established reputation for designing and manufacturing quality cast watermain products, and special purpose pumps. Gillies manufactures in both cast iron and ductile iron and is part of the Hynds Group of distribution and manufacturing companies. Privately owned by the Hynds family, business divisions include concrete, metal and plastic manufacturing, product agency representation, and distribution through a network of over fifty locations throughout New Zealand and Australia. Hynds supplies the civil and rural infrastructure markets with product for the management of water and water-based waste, Hynds employs over 800 people.