The VAS Hansen Little Coterie

The Victorian Artists Society (VAS) is thrilled to invite applicants for the 2025 cohort of the VAS Hansen Little Coterie. 

The Coterie launched in 2024, made possible by a $10,000 gift from the Hansen Little Foundation. The program has been formulated to provide essential opportunities and support to professional artists at critical stages of their early to mid-careers, helping them to cultivate an artistic home at the VAS. Selected artists in the Coterie actively participate in the VAS. They receive multiple opportunities to exhibit and engage with each other and with other VAS artists. By the end of the program, these artists will have been supported to become part of the VAS community of artists. It is our hope that they will be motivated to continue building their careers with VAS and take the benefits of mentorship with them into future leadership roles within the Society and the arts community. 

Selection: 

The Hansen Little Coterie is a curated group of artists in early to mid-stages of a professional career in visual art. Selected artists will be self-motivated and will display technical proficiency in classical style as well as creative expression. Representation of the spirit of VAS, the dedication to build one’s own career in collaboration with one’s peers, will be heavily weighted in the selection process. 

VAS Hansen Little Coterie Artists

Five artists will be selected as residents for the Hansen Little Coterie. These artists will receive:  
•    12 month VAS Membership and waived entry fees to Select Exhibitions. 
•    Free access to VAS life drawing and portrait sessions
•    Group studio time at VAS 
•    A materials subsidy of $500 from Senior Art Supplies
•    A showcase exhibition in the VAS Gallery
•    Mentoring and guidance from VAS artists led by master teacher Gregory R. Smith along with structured studio time under VAS teaching artists

As a condition of residency, Coterie artists must submit work to each of the three Select Exhibitions and at least one other VAS exhibition. Artworks should be for sale at not less than $400. 

On completion of the one-year program, Coterie artists will be welcomed to continue with studio access and invited showcases, interacting with artists selected for subsequent cohorts. 

The VAS Hansen Little Coterie Featured Artist Award

Selected at the showcase exhibition, the recipient of this award will receive a fully funded 2-week solo show in the VAS Cato Gallery. This will include publicity materials, press support, a media training session and an opening event. The artist will retain sales monies, less the standard VAS commission.  

Eligibility: 

Artists eligible to apply for these places will be under 45 years of age. They may have presented up to 5 solo shows, and should have participated in at least 10 group exhibitions. The application form offers a space to make a case for any exceptions to these guidelines, which will be considered at the discretion of the selection panel. 

FAQs: 

Why is there an age limit? While the VAS welcomes artists at all ages and stages, this program is built for a specific demographic with the intention to foster a cohesive group of future leaders. Artists who have completed studies and are navigating the particular challenges of creating a life in the arts through their late 20s to early 40s will benefit most from the peer to peer support within this program.