“CityNews” readers may have noticed, a month or so ago, an item calling for potential artists in residence to put their hands up for the Playing Field Studio, a new intimate arts studio available for hire, located on the edge of Civic in one of the ANU’s new buildings. 

Announced on Friday by the founder of the studio, Rénald Navilly, one ofCanberra’s best-known actors and creative arts therapists, who spoke of the “family” of people involved in this project.

Chevrier will use her residency to explore a multidisciplinary dance work to be based on the English language, as perceived by foreigners. The residency gives her seven day access to the studio during school holidays and a materials allowance of $750. On the final day of her time there, Chevrier will host an informal presentation for the public about their work.

Navilly moved into a small studio located in old fibro huts between Childers Street and Kingsley Streets in Acton back in 2005, setting up workshops and rehearsals to raise awareness of the transformative power of the arts, first through the Canberra Creative Arts Therapy Network and then in association with Belconnen Community Services, Canberra Playback Theatre and Canberra Dance Theatre.

After he was diagnosed with a serious illness in 2010, Navilly handed the enterprise over to an informal community management committee.

The, when the “Rocks” area demountable buildings were demolished, the organisation worked in temporary accommodation and this year moved to a new permanent home at 2 Kingsley Street.

The Playing Field Studio, meaning “a playing field for arts and health,” was finally incorporated in August 2011 and Friday also saw a Symbolic handing over of “the keys” to the space, although it has been in use since early this year.

At present the hirers of the space at (the incredibly competitive rates begin at just $12 an hour) include Canberra Dance Theatre, Open Art Outreach Program, Reclink Australia (for sporting, social and arts activities), Re–Cog–Motion (for strengthening the body-mind-breath connection), Acting Antics, Zim Sessions, (African rhythms sessions with Zimbabwean artist Felix Machirizda) and Yoga and Tea, for me! (a yoga group for mums.)

For more information visit www.playingfieldstudio.org.au/