A Melbourne installation artist and a Canberra musician have been announced as the Australian Antarctic Arts Fellows for 2010–2011 season.

David Burrows will fly to Casey station in December and Alice Giles will sail to Mawson and Davis stations in February next year.

Environment Minister, Tony Burke, said the Fellowship gives leading Australian artists the opportunity to experience the rugged beauty and isolation of Antarctica first-hand.

“The aim of the program is for the arts community to gain inspiration from the frozen continent and share that unique experience with the wider public on their return to Australia,” Mr Burke said.

Harp soloist Alice Giles will record some musical compositions while in Antarctica, which will then be developed into a concert in partnership with the Australian National University.

“Interestingly Ms Giles will be following in the footsteps of her great grandfather, Cecil Madigan, who was a member of Sir Douglas Mawson’s pioneering Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911–1914.”

Installation artist David Burrows aims to capture the essence of an Antarctic iceberg.

“Mr Burrows will take 3-D photographs and sounds recordings to create a new artwork,” Mr Burke said.

The Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship is advertised on the Australian Antarctic Division website and applications for next summer close in March 2011.

This program has been running since 1984.