Frontyard
Frontyard is a pro-active, multi-purpose space where the local arts loving community come together for practical skills-sharing, critical research, food and fun.
Frontyard is a building, a creative residency program, a library, a garden, and many other things, mostly located at 228 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.
Our aim is to facilitate and nurture collaborations between people with a mix of disciplines with a passion for culture and to build a more resilient and sustainable independent arts community for the future.
The Vibe
Frontyard is a network of people that provides a pro-active, flexible space for practical skills-sharing, futuring, and critical research. We aim to be community-led in terms of content and usefulness, open and questioning of current systems and structures, and respectful and trusting of our fellow frontyarders.
The projects and research we’re interested in:
- contributing to our neighbourhoods
- agitating, facilitating, and nurturing collaborations between people
- working towards a more resilient, independent community
- creating and articulating possible futures
By taking up a residency or by hosting an event at Frontyard, you are committing to maintain “The Vibe” and caretake the space in a respectful way that make others sharing it with you feel safe. We want to create a community where people are free to be themselves without judgement or discrimination, regardless of sexuality, age, ethnicity or ability. Spaces are not safe simply because we designate them as such – it requires the combined efforts of us all. There are going to be times when each of us make mistakes. These mistakes are opportunities to learn from each other, and grow as individuals and as a community. Some things to consider:
- Respect people’s opinions, beliefs, and differing points of view
- Respect the physical and emotional boundaries of others
- Respect everyone’s right to live without intimidation, harassment, or discrimination
- Respect people’s right to privacy and self-determination
- Respect the Space itself and the fact that it is shared with many
Frontyard’s monthly open house events are where open conversation takes place with the community. If you are a resident at Frontyard and one of the open house afternoons are on during your residency period, it would be appreciated if you could be there.
Organisation & Working Groups
Frontyard is organised around a series of working groups that cover the core activities and other projects, and by a committee known as the Janitors who are formally responsible for maintaining it.
Anyone is welcome to be involved in working groups and participate at frontyard. If you would like to get involved, joining a working group that suits your interests could be a good place to start. As we are slowly adjusting to this relatively new model, some working groups are more developed than others. If you would like to take up one of those below not yet active, get in touch.
Working groups don’t necessarily do all the work in a particular area – any special projects they take care of or initiate will usually be offered up for anyone to join in on. For example the Building Maintenance working group might make an audit of maintenance tasks needing to be done, and then do a call out for helpers or propose a working bee to get them happening.
Each working group has a person responsible for keeping it rolling along, whose job it is simply to propose the next meeting.
| Group | Responsible janitors |
|---|---|
| Building Maintenance Working Group | Tessa (Tender) |
| The Library & Publications Working Group | Tessa |
| Finance & fundraising Working Group | Ju |
| Operations Working Group - Digital gardening, wiki weeding, helping things run smoothly | Luke (Gardener) |
| Group | Responsible janitors |
|---|---|
| Residencies Working Group | TBC |
| Garden Working Group | TBC |
| Inner West Council Connections Working Group | TBC |
| Communications Working Group - Newsletter, Instagram, email, and so on. | TBC |
Independent events at Frontyard
You can use Frontyard for your events, meetings, performances etc. .
See our main article on the topic, Booking Space + Time at Frontyard.
Non-cash Assets
The non-cash assets at Frontyard include:
- a Risograph duplicator; and,
- two visual projectors (limited adapters, bring your own)
- 3 big tables
- about 20 assorted chairs
- 2 small gas heaters
- small kitchen with 2-burner electric cooktop, glassware, cutlery and flatware
- picnic blankets
- cushions
- The Frontyard Garden
- outdoor space
- The Frontyard Library
- Ambient particulate pollution, air quality monitor (see live data), connected to the https://luftdaten.info/ network. It is an implementation of their open source design.