february 2009An indispensable resource for anyone |
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HighlightsThe Flying Fruit Fly Circus: The Promise
5 - 7 February, Albury The Flying Fruit Fly Circus production of The Promise premiered at the Sydney Festival in January and is returning home to Albury for five shows. The cast of 21 Flying Fruit Fly Circus artists will combine their amazing acrobatic ability with puppetry, mask work and theatre drama. The Promise is a heartwarming, rollicking adventure story that reflects upon love, loss and life. Circus general manager, Chris Pidd says the production is a celebration of 3 decades gracing the national and international stage. “The Promise will be an amazing show which has been marvellously brought together by these professional colleagues, as well as our own trainers, Artistic Director and Fruit Fly artists.” At Albury Performing Arts Centre. Tickets $41.80/$34.80/$24.80. Bookings Tel 02 6051 3051 Website www.fruitflycircus.com.au Opera in the Caves
14 - 15 February, Jenolan Caves The Underground Opera Company is pleased to announce their inaugural Concert at the magnificent Jenolan Caves. The Jenolan Caves will offer the audience a choice of two incredible opera experiences: The Grand Arch Valentine’s Concert, and The Temple of Baal Intimate Experience. Opera in the Caves is a collaboration of popular pieces from opera and light opera’s most famous productions. These include Carmen, Madame Butterfly, The Barber of Seville, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and the immortal Nessun Dorma from Turandot. The Grand Arch Valentine's Concert: Saturday 14 February, 7.30pm. Tickets $50/$45/$30. The Temple of Baal Intimate Experience: Sunday 15 February, 1pm. Bring a folding chair and wear something warm. Tickets $80/$100. Bookings Tel 1300 763 311 Webite www.jenolancaves.org.au The Magic Flute
19 February, Goulburn Co-Opera's production of Mozart's timeless masterpiece The Magic Flute has thrilled audiences from Tumby Bay to Tamworth and Whyalla to Wodonga. Tamino and Pamina search for truth and love. Papageno seeks a wife but has trouble obeying vows of silence. This light hearted cabaret version is set in a 60's restaurant and the antics of the filthy chef Monostatos and Diana Ross and The Supremes (oops, The Three Ladies) create hilarious sequences. In true Co-Opera spirit, the music is pure Mozart, comic, soul searching, sublime. Venue details online. Website www.co-opera.com.au The 14th Cobargo Folk Festival
20 - 22 February, Cobargo The historic and picturesque village of Cobargo on the far south coast of NSW has been hosting this fun-filled weekend of music, dance, song, comedy, poetry and yarn-telling for the past 13 years. Over 200 performers will converge on the Cobargo Showground over the last weekend in February and provide a pageant of Australian and international talent. Line-up includes Mal Webb, Davidson Brothers, The Fagans, Kate Rowe, Graham Moore, Scarlett Affection and many more. Performers and audiences alike have described this festival as 'the best little folk festival in the country.' A full program of concerts, workshops, dances, poets breakfasts, comedy acts, sessions, intimate blackboard concerts, plus exotic food stalls, bar and refreshments. Details online. Website www.cobargofolkfestival.com Bangarra Dance: True Stories
21 February, Orange Bangarra's reputation as one of the most exciting contemporary dance companies in Australia and one of our country's leading performing arts exports, takes yet another leap forward with their brand new work True Stories. Exploring the unending inspiration of Australia's Indigenous culture, the company enters new theatrical territory with the choreographic originality of award-winning Frances Rings and with Elma Kris making her main stage debut. From the stages of New York, Washington and London, Bangarra has been heralded as an exciting dance ensemble bringing audiences theatre experiences unique in the language of movement. True Stories takes that reputation to a new and thrilling level. At Orange Civic Theatre, Tel 02 6393 8111; and BMEC, Tel 02 6333 6161 Regional Arts NSW NewsRegional Arts Fund delivers 22 major new projects
Regional Arts NSW welcomes new arts funding from the Federal Government’s Regional Arts Fund, bringing into regional and remote communities in New South Wales a total of $326,215. Announced in December, the money has been provided for 22 new projects to take place in regional, rural and remote NSW communities in 2009. The list of successful applicants includes an array of projects in diverse art forms including circus, film and video as well as music, dance, visual arts and theatre. Communities right across the state will benefit from this funding. The CEO of Regional Arts NSW, Elizabeth Rogers said “We welcome the renewal of the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, as it provides vital support for our regional and remote communities across NSW.”
CASP grants open for 2009Is your community planning an arts project for next year? The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is now taking applications for projects in 2009. CASP delivers small grants for community and cultural development for amounts between $300 and $3,000. You can apply for things like artists fees and expenses for workshops, arts activities as part of a community festival or event, artists-in residence programs, public art & design projects, professional performances, arts and cultural directories, community seminars and forums, arts camps and curators for exhibitions. Speak to your local RADO about your project before applying. The closing date for CASP applications is Friday 13 February 2009. Full details including guidelines and application forms can be dowloaded from the Regional Arts NSW website. CASP is funded by the NSW Government through Arts NSW. Contact Ben Sibson, Funding Officer Tel 02 9270 2501 Email fundingofficer@regionalartsnsw.com.au
New RADO for Arts OutWest
Arts OutWest Inc, the regional arts board of Central West NSW, has appointed Ms Tracey Callinan as its new Executive Officer/Regional Arts Development Officer. Ms Callinan has just returned to Australia from a four year stay in the UK working for Arts Council England, where she worked on their national arts and education program Creative Partnerships as a Creative Programmer and then as a Creative Director. Ms Callinan, from Goulburn, has an affinity with the Central West, having lived in Canowindra as a child. She has already made Bathurst, where the Arts OutWest office is based, her new home. Ms Callinan said she was excited to be moving back to the region and taking on a key arts role. “I am committed to regional arts and welcome the opportunity to be based in the Central West and to work across the region,” she said. “I’m enjoying getting to know the people, the organisations, the programs and the priorities for the region.”
New Research officer at RANSW
Regional Arts NSW welcomes Ruben Allas, who starts on 2 February as Research Officer. Ruben will be working on a project to map and research the Indigenous arts industry in NSW. Ruben has worked in the past 15 years with various Aboriginal organisations in three States: NSW, Victoria, and South Australia. He is currently completing a doctoral degree in Criminology at the University of Wollongong. Ruben recently returned to Sydney after a year working for the Ministry of Social Development (NZ) in Wellington in the area of Maori issues, refugees and immigration. He brings to RANSW his taste for Nicaraguan coffee, appreciation of Aboriginal art, and a wealth of experience working with various community organisations.
New Aboriginal Cultural Development Officer at Arts MNC
Arts Mid North Coast is pleased to announce the employment of Alison Page as the Regional Aboriginal Cultural Development Officer who will implement the recently completed cultural strategy, Foundations of our Future. The product of an extensive engagement with the Aboriginal communities from Karuah to Coffs Harbour, Foundations of our Future is a 5-year plan to create employment, education, health and capacity building outcomes through cultural and creative activities. The Strategy recognises that traditional and contemporary culture is a foundation for the economic and social development of Aboriginal communities across the region. Alison comes to position having managed her own Aboriginal design practice for the last 8 years in Coffs Harbour. Well known as one of the judges on the ABC TV program, The New Inventors, Alison has designed office fit-outs, exhibitions, landscape design, jewellery and public art with an Aboriginal flavour.
Other NewsWagga Wagga Art Gallery turns ten
A year of celebration is coming up for Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre complex including the establishment of the stand alone National Art Glass Gallery. A year-long series of events and strategically designed exhibitions will celebrate and reinforce the Gallery’s significance within the Riverina region and the national arena. The National Art Glass Gallery was the first building opened in the Civic Centre on 29 January 1999 so the celebrations will kick off with a Gallery wide opening ten years and a day later. The first global exhibition opening will take place on Friday 30 January in the Main Gallery, with 3 exhibitions: Parched, Lines Thought Light, and Atrabilious: A Depression of the Spirit.
M&G NSW: VIM Grant recipients announcedM&G NSW’s Volunteer Initiated Museum (VIM) Grant Program plays a crucial role in strengthening the volunteer museum community throughout NSW and is a vital component of M&G NSW’s suite of sector grants. M&G NSW congratulates the organisations who have been awarded a VIM Small Grant or VIM Development Project Grant in the second round of the 2008 VIM Grants Program. This round was extremely competitive, with 32 applications for VIM Small Grants and 16 VIM Development Project Grants assessed. The assessment panel had some very difficult decisions to make. The VIM Grant Program comprises of four types of grants: Leg Ups - Skill Development Grants, VIM Small Grants, VIM Skills Initiatives Grants, and VIM Development Project Grants. See the full list of recipients online. Contact Phoebe Arthur, Sector Development Coordinator. Tel 02 9339 9913 Email phoebea@mgnsw.org.au
NSW hip hop artist wins Poetry Slam '08A hip hop artist and poet from New South Wales has won the Australian Poetry Slam competition, held at Sydney Opera House on 5 December. Poetry slam is a style of performed poetry which takes its influences from rap and hip hop. After the 18 state and territory finalists performed on topics such as going to the dentist and football, there was a tie between Omar Musa from Queanbeyan, south-east of Canberra, and Mark Lloyd from Western Australia. Mr Musa ultimately won the $5,000 prize and the chance to compete internationally. He says he hopes others will be inspired to write poetry. "I think we should keep encouraging events like this because in Australia I think sport and all that sort of thing is encouraged as opposed to intellectual activity and things like poetry," he said. "I think things like hip hop and slam poetry events are the kind of things that would reignite a love for the English language, which I think is often missing." More than 600 people entered this year's competition, many with political themes such as the global financial crisis, war and women's rights.
Artpost & RAA nominated for AIMA Award
Artpost has been nominated as a finalist in the AIMIA Awards (Australian Interactive Media Industry Association) in the following categories: Artpost ABC Television, Regional Arts Australia Best Use of Social Media artpost ABC Television, Regional Arts Australia Best Non-Profit or Government. Launched in October last year, Artpost is an interactive website and short video series for TV broadcast which showcases artists working throughout Australia. The centrepiece of the website is a digital interactive arts map of Australia where you can watch artists at work in their studios from Toowoomba to Strahan, from Broome to Lightning Ridge. The site provides artists with the tools needed to embrace the digital space and present their work as part of an online community to audiences within Australia and beyond.
Review of Australia Business Arts FoundationAn independent review of the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) has found that the organisation is currently operating on an appropriate, effective and efficient basis, as well as delivering value for money on the Government’s investment. AbaF is a wholly Commonwealth-owned company which promotes private sector support for the arts through its Partnering, Volunteering and Giving programs. “The review was undertaken by independent consultants McGrathNicol and delivers on an election commitment to examine options for AbaF’s future,” Mr Garrett said. “The Government is committed to harnessing additional private sector support for the arts, including corporate sponsorship and philanthropy. “Following this review, and given the current challenging economic situation, I have decided to maintain the current administrative and governance arrangements, but I encourage AbaF to strengthen ongoing cooperation with the Australia Council to continue building arts and business partnerships in order to provide maximum benefit for the arts sector."
Regional Art Space artists for 2009
Orana Arts in partnership with the Western Plains Cultural Centre and OutBack Arts are pleased to announce the artists’ selected to exhibit at the Regional Art Space in 2009. The Regional Art Space is part of the Dubbo Regional Gallery - The Amarti Bequest, and dedicated to displaying art by emerging artists from regional NSW. Applications for the Regional Art Space were assessed by a panel of representatives from each organisation. Three artists were chosen to exhibit in 2009: Paula Garrard, Penny Volkofsky, and Lara Scolari. Assistant Curator Kent Buchanan said that the Regional Art Space attracted a variety of high quality artists from though-out regional NSW. “There were 18 applicants in this round to exhibit in the Regional Art Space in 2009 and it was extremely difficult for the Panel to choose just three artists to exhibit their work. We hope to see regional artists submit their exhibition ideas for the next round in 2009.” Kent stated.
New triennial funding for Indigenous arts & culture programsArts Minister Peter Garrett and Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin announced that from 2009/10 Indigenous arts and cultural organisations would be eligible for the first time ever to apply for three yearly funding allocations. The Ministers said the availability of three year funding would give organisations greater certainty and an opportunity to develop and build long-term strategies and partnerships. "The Indigenous culture programs managed by my Department support Indigenous arts, culture, languages and broadcasting activities in communities right across Australia," Mr Garrett said. "Almost 250 organisations in urban, regional and remote areas benefit from these funds including cultural festivals, music, dance and theatre, multimedia workshops with young people, professional visual arts practice and networks of language centres and community radio stations."
Indent Partnership Grants announcedNSW Minister for the Youth, Graham West, has announced $110,000 in State Government grants to enable young people across NSW to stage all-ages, drug and alcohol-free music events. The music events will be funded through Indent, a MusicNSW project which provides funding and resources for all-ages events run by young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years. Indent, funded through ArtsNSW, has for the past nine years provided advice, workshops and resources for young people intent on staging all-ages entertainment while promoting safety, community support, sustainability and emerging talent. Mr West said he supported drug and alcohol-free music events for all people in NSW, but particularly young people. “It is important that young people have access to well-organised and entertaining events in their area, whether in the city or in rural and remote parts of NSW”. “These events help those young people who organise them to forge a career in the NSW music industry”. Full list of grant recipients online.
Parkes Elvis Festival a hit
After five days of more than 120 Elvis events in Parkes, Elvis has left the building and certainly left it all shook up! The 17th annual CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival broke record crowds with an estimated 9,500 visitors enjoying the festivities. Festival goers lined the main street of Parkes on Saturday morning for the Elvis Street Parade - a highlight of the Festival, followed by the inaugural 'Cars of the Era' show, which retained crowds in Clarinda Street. Sunday morning's Elvis Gospel Church Service again proved a popular event, with an audience of over 2,500 turning out to enjoy Elvis' first love, gospel music. The next CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival will be held from 6-10 January 2010.
New film and TV projects to generate $13 million for NSWMinister Assisting the Premier on the Arts, Virginia Judge, has announced $890,000 funding for six new projects to be filmed in NSW, generating more than $13 million in direct production expenditure. Ms Judge said since July this year, the NSW Government had invested $2.85 million to support screen productions with combined budgets of more than $47 million. “The Rees Government proudly supports our film and television creative industries,” Ms Judge said. “Every dollar invested in these six projects ensures that talented artists, crews and support companies such as caterers and logistics teams continue to work in NSW. “These productions - one feature film, one TV drama series, a children’s’ television drama series, two documentaries and one factual series – will also stimulate our economy” she said.
Australian Bush Laureate AwardsWinners in the 2009 Australian Bush Laureate awards were announced in Tamworth on 20 January. The Awards were first staged in 1997 to recognise excellence in published and recorded Australian bush poetry. The winner for Book of the Year category was The Book Of Australian Popular Rhymed Verse compiled by Jim Haynes. The following awards were given for several categories: Original Verse for the best original Australian work in book form: The Final Muster by Ellis Campbell; New Bush Poem of the Year: The Power Of Kokoda by Dean Trevaskis; Album of the Year: The Tartan Saddlecloth by Gary Fogarty; Single Recorded Performance of the Year: Faster, Higher, Stronger by Murray Hartin; Children's Poem of the Year: The Bush Animals Band by Noel Stallard. The Judith Hosier Heritage Award for outstanding achievement in nurturing Australia’s heritage of verse, went to the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Society, Gunnedah, for their annual competition, the oldest and largest poetry competition for school students in Australia.
Arts NSW Funding Program for 2009
Arts NSW have published the list of 2009 cultural grants, available on the Arts NSW website. Arts NSW is the NSW Government’s arts policy and funding body.
Project ReportsTongarra Museum Heritage Mural
April - August 2008, Albion Park Local Shellharbour artist Ron Short conducted a series of design workshops with youth in the Albion Park area to promote the importance of Shellharbour City's heritage and encourage engagement with, and an appreciation of the city's local history and museum. Styled sketches based on images selected from Museum's photographic collection were designed by participants with Ron's guidence, and developed into a heritage mural that was applied by stencil and spray concrete onto the museum external walls for permanent exhibition. The project has resulted in a bright, vibrant mural that has greatly improved the appearance of the surrounding area, resulting in an increase in museum visitors, and boosting the profile of the museum in the lcoal area. This project was supported with a grant from the Regional Arts NSW Country Arts Support Program (CASP). Art of Africa
May - June 2008, Goulburn Goulburn Regional Art Gallery hosted an event called Art of Africa as the opening night event for Wasala Wasala: the fabric of African politics exhibition, a touring show from Queensland, at show on the gallery from 16 May - 13 June 2008. The opening event celebrated African cultures and involved the local community by creating an african market. The opening night included African drumming performance, hair braiding and beading, dancing and music, African food stalls, and African arts and craft stalls. The event was a wonderful example of community participation, and welcomed and celebrated Goulburn's African community and showcased the art, music and culture of the continent. This project was supported with a grant from the Regional Arts NSW Country Arts Support Program (CASP). New ResourcesAustralian scripts website
Australian playwrights came a step closer to securing productions of their work in Australia and overseas with the launch of a new website. australianplays.org is a new e-commerce portal dedicated to the sale and promotion of Australian playscripts. The site was launched in New York at the New Dramatists Studio, America’s premier playwright development centre, as part of the Australian Government’s Australia Week program. It features more than 1,500 Australian playscripts, representing the work of some 500 playwrights. Alongside such familiar names as David Williamson, Joanna Murray-Smith, Andrew Bovell, Stephen Sewell and Jack Hibberd are many rising stars. Funded by the Australia Council for the Arts, the new site is an initiative of the Australian Script Centre in collaboration with three key promoters of Australian performance writing; Currency Press, Playlab and Playwriting Australia.
M&G NSW Exhibitions Register: Issue 2
Museums & Galleries NSW are pleased to present this vital planning tool for 2009 and beyond, which includes a diverse range of exhibitions for both galleries and museums available for tour throughout the State. The exhibitions in this edition range from the works of prominent Australian artists in the Gwen Frolich Bequest, Lawrence Daws and Bruce Goold exhibitions, to innovative international collaborations with contemporary artists such as People to People, Place to Place from Matchbox Projects. There are exhibitions represented in this edition that appeal to diverse audiences from children to seniors, and many different cultural backgrounds. The next edition of the Exhibitions Register will be published in May 2009. Contact Sarah Woods, Tel 02 9339 9905 Email sarahw@mgnsw.org.au
The Writer's Guide to Making a Digital Living
This guide is a professional development resource for creative writers. Its primary target audience is any writer (young or old, emerging, mid-career or established) in Australia or overseas, who aims to earn income as a professional creative writer and is interested in how the new media industry can enhance their craft skills and income earning potential. The writer's guide was developed through the Australia Council's Story of the Future project to explore the craft and business of writing in the digital era. It includes case studies from Australia's rising generation of poets, novelists, screenwriters, games writers and producers who are embracing new media and contains audio and video content from seminars and workshops, as well as extensive references to resouces in Australia and beyond. Read it online or download it as a PDF.
National survey of Feature Film & TV Drama Production
This survey report from Screen Australia reveals increases in foreign production and co-production activity, particularly TV drama. The survey covers all Australian and co-production titles made each year, as well foreign titles if they are shot in Australia or do post, digital or visual effects (PDV) work here. Screen Australia’s supplementary analysis of post, digital and visual effects activity shows that income to PDV companies from work on features and TV drama has averaged $129 million annually for the past three years. This represents approximately 23 per cent of total production expenditure during that period by features and TV drama projects in Australia. Australian productions accounted for the majority (73 %) of this work over the three years.
What's OnDelicate Touch III: Contemporary Australian porcelain
Until 16 February, Tanja Delicate Touch III is an exhibition of contemporary Australian porcelain by Kirsten Coelho, Janet DeBoos, Ivan Gluch and Bronwyn Kemp. Porcelain clay is refined but demanding and difficult to control. These four consummate ceramic artists use porcelain for its fineness and the capacity for complete fusion of clay and glaze. Fragile but durable, exquisitely beautiful works for use or contemplation made with the certainty of masterful skills, a delicate touch and piqued by ongoing exploration. At Narek Galleries, Old Tanja Church 1140 Bermagui Road. Tel 02 6494 0112 Website www.narekgalleries.com Open the Shutters
Until 23 February, Gulgong Cudgegong Gallery celebrates the art of photography with an exhibition of local photographers work, Open the Shutters. The exhibition will be joined by Between Seasons Showings featuring ceramics and paintings from a group of artists who have an ongoing relationship with the gallery. “This will be a chance for local photography artists to show their skills in composition and technology to create photographic works of art worthy of collection and preservation," said organiser Connie Eales. Professional photographer Christopher Wright is curator of this exhibition and will provide some educational material and talks for prospective collectors/buyers. The show features an array of talented emerging and established artist photographers. At Cudgegong Gallery, 102 Herbert St. Tel 02 6374 1630 Email mail@cudgegonggallery.com.au Website www.cudgegonggallery.com.au Warren Thomas: BoxWorld
Until 8 March, Wagga Wagga BoxWorld is a miniature city made almost entirely of recycled materials. It was created by Warren Thomas, an environmentalist and model maker from Tasmania, who believes in the value of the three R’s: Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. Warren’s original inspiration was a visit to a travelling display by Legoland. Unable to afford Lego blocks, he started using milk cartons and cereal boxes, simply because they were at home, and they were free! BoxWorld features over 900 individual buildings representing most things you would find expect to find in a typical Australian city. The tallest skyscraper is over 5 metres high, and there is a football stadium, a soccer ground, swimming pool, shops and factories. At Museum of the Riverina, Historic Council Chambers site Cnr Baylis & Morrow Streets. Tel 1300 292 442 Website www.waggaartgallery.org Parched
Until 29 March, Wagga Wagga Curated by Art Gallery Manager Cath Bowdler, Parched features prints, paintings and sculptures based on the regional landscape and the effects of the drought by artists Wendy Teakel and Meg Buchanan. Both artists, who work across disciplines, are based close to Canberra but have long standing Wagga Wagga connections. Parched is one of three exhibitions kicking off a year of celebrations for Wagga Wagga Art Gallery gallery, which heralds the 10th anniversary of the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre complex including the establishment of the stand alone National Art Glass Gallery. At Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, cnr Baylis & Morrow St. Tel 1300 292 442 Website www.waggaartgallery.org Inverell Art Gallery artists open day
1 February, Inverell The Inverell Art Gallery is holding an Artists Open Day on Sunday 1st of February from 11am - 3pm. If you’re interested in trying your hand at Life Drawing, Basic Beginners’ Visual Arts, Mixed media, Wood sculpture, Patchwork Quilting, Painting, Pottery & Sculpture, Paverpol, spinning & weaving or pastels, come along for the classes and meet the artists. Morning tea and lunch will be available for a small fee. As a special attraction on the day, Rob Day from New England Wood Turing Supplies will be displaying his hand crafted Didgeridoos as well as playing the instruments he loves to sculpt. There will be an exhibition by Marjory Schmidt's 'Art in the Field' Students, combined with Lesley Wynne’s Life Drawing Class Exhibition. At 5 Evans Street Inverell Tel 02 6722 4983 Reggie Watts
1 February, Mullumbimby Reggie Watts is a one-man band like no other. Watts shakes new meaning into what you can do with a human voice, a microphone and a loop machine. Exploiting a jaw-dropping ten-octave vocal range he creates funky bass lines and soulful diva-esque vocals to underpin hilarious, off-the cuff riffs on everything from ancient history and technology, science and racism, to theology and pop culture. Channeling over 300 characters, his mix of improvised music, absurd comedy and visceral social commentary makes him a one-of–a-kind performer. Like a tornado traversing hip-hop, trip-hop, 80's pop alternative, nu-metal and classical opera, no two songs are ever the same as Reggie Watts disorientates and stuns audiences with a supernatural force. Tickets $25, from Mullumbimby Bookshop, Fairy Floss in Byron Bay & at door. Concert at Mullumbimby Civic Hall, 8pm. Website www.reggiewatts.com Topp Twins on tour
4 February, Coffs Harbour Kiwi icons Lynda & Jools Topp, aka The Topp Twins, cross the ditch in January for twelve concerts throughout NSW and QLD. The twins will delight audiences with their infectious comedy, traditional yodels and trade mark soaring harmonies, armed with guitar, mouth harp, spoons, a cocktail of classic characters and songs from their latest Country Album of the Year, Flowergirls and Cowgirls. The set list includes a rollicking version of Untouchable Girls, 2007's NZCMA Country Song of the Year, Tamworth, and swampy ballads, rockabilly and howlin' blues. Inducted into New Zealand's Music Hall of Fame, The Topps grew up singing to the cows and are now a global institution with a pat load of accolades for albums, concerts and prime time television series The Topp Twins and Kens' Hunting & Fishing Show. Venue details online. Contact Sue Camilleri, Tel 0408 412 512 Email soozcam@bigpond.net.au Website www.topptwins.co.nz Music in the Gardens
6, 13, 20, 27 February & 6 March, Orange The Orange Regional Conservatorium and Friends of the Orange Botanic Gardens presents Music In The Gardens each Friday in February from 6.30 to 8.00pm. Local musicians and ensembles perform within the grounds and thematic gardens. Bring along a chair or picnic rug and picnic dinner, have a relaxing evening with family and friends whilst listening to the symphonic music and peaceful outlook at the Gardens. At Orange Botanic Gardens, Hill St Orange. Tel 02 6365 1125 Website www.orangecon.org.au Peace Train: The Cat Sevens Story
13 February, Bathurst Following the success of his production Moonshadows, Darren Coggan is to star in a brand new show on the life and times of the legendary singer/songwriter Cat Stevens. Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story will take us on the same journey of discovery and enlightenment travelled by Cat himself, with unique insights into the heart and mind of one of the greatest singer/songwriters of our time. In a style reminiscent of Looking Through A Glass Onion, John Water’s classic portrayal of the life of the late John Lennon, Peace Train – the Cat Stevens Story features all the songs the whole world sang along with, including; Father & Son, Lady D'arbanville, Morning Has Broken, The Old School Yard, On The Road To Find Out, Wild World, Where Do The Children Play, Moonshadow, Matthew & Son and many more. Bathurst performance: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, 8pm, Tel 02 6333 6161. Orange performance: Orange Civic Theatre, 8pm, Tel 02 6393 8111 Friends of Wagga Wagga Art Gallery Degas excursion14 - 15 February, Wagga Wagga The Friends of the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery are off on another jolly weekend bus trip to see the Degas exhibition in Canberra. Why not hop on board for a fun filled weekend and make new friends? The Degas - Master of French Art exhibition is on at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. This is Australia’s first ever Degas exhibition featuring more than 120 works from prestigious galleries and museums around the world. The exhibition highlights the artist’s favourite themes of modern life in Paris, such as portraits, horseracing, the ballet, laundresses and bathers, and demonstrates his skill as a master painter, sculptor and draughtsman. Cost of this weekend tour is $300 (plus single-supplement) which includes return coach to Wagga Wagga, morning tea and lunch on Saturday, accommodation and breakfast at Rydges, lunch on Sunday, and entry fees to Galleries and exhibitions. Contact Gail Crozier, Tel 02 6926 4169 Email crozier@dragnet.com.au The Waifs
17 February, Bangalow The Waifs have been one of West Australia's most loved bands over their 20 year history, with their sweetly melodic lyrics & laid-back instrumentation. Building their fan base the hard way (their lives packed up in guitar cases in the back of a campervan, honing their craft), they have since played every corner of the country, earning respect of peers and fans alike for their tenacity and drive to do things their own way. Since they last took to the stage on home soil, The Waifs have been busy touring through Europe and America to support the release of their latest album, Sun Dirt Water. The album is marked by all the qualities that have made the band a hit with folk and roots audiences - honest songwriting, rollicking ‘bluesiness’, and the soaring vocals of sisters Donna and Vikki Simpson and guitarist Josh Cunningham. The Waifs will be supported by Jez Mead, who will be bringing his raw hypnotic folk blues to the stage. At Bangalow A & I Hall, starts 8pm. Tickets $45/$50 Website www.kupromotions.oztix.com.au Kalkadunga Man
21 February, Bathurst The Song Company with William Barton on didgeridoo. An absorbing sonic and visual experience in the Australian night and day as seen through the eyes of William Barton. A celebrated musician who has elevated the digeridoo to the world's concert stages, William delves into his own roots in the country arousn Mt Isa where he grew up. A soul‐searching visit ti the Kalkadunga people in July 2008 was accompanied by accaolimed photographer Allan Chawner and became the starting point for this project. Featuring is some of the most evocative vocal music written in Australia combined with the visceral socunds of the 'didg'. Chawner's powerful photographic images of the Kalkadunga land will be projected throughout the performance on a large screen above the singers. Tickets $18.50‐$43.50. At Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, 105 William Street Tel 02 6333 6161 Website www.songcompany.com.au Helene Leane: Painting Life
28 February - 1 March & 7-8 March, Wollombi Following her successful exhibition of monotypes at Wollombi Valley Cultural Centre Helene is now exhibiting a series of paintings depicting still life themes and the nude. Her works are colourful and expressive, exposing the possibilities of transparency of form. The exhibition is at Wollombi Valley Cultural Centre, Old Fire Shed Gallery, Wollombi for two weekends only: 28th Feb/1st March and 7th/8th March Opening hours of the Gallery are 10 am – 4 pm. The opening of the exhibition is on 28th February at 2 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. At Wollombi Valley Cultural Centre, Old Fire Shed Gallery, Wollombi Rd. Email helene@g-node.com.au This month at Cowra Regional Art Gallery
7 February - 15 march, Cowra Second Skin: painting, prints and ceramics by Tim Moorhead A colourful exhibition by Tim Moorehead, celebrating the Australian summer holiday at the beach. Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950 ‐ 1970 At Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling St. Tel 02 6340 2190 Seminars, Workshops + TrainingCelebrate Ability Partnerships Focus Groups
4 February, Cowra A series of four arts and disability consultations will be held across the Central West for artists with and without disabilities, Councils, educators and educational institutions, service providers, galleries and museums and other interested organisations and individuals to come together to develop partnerships. Arts OutWest hopes to establish the scope of current activities and to identify future opportunities for an integrated approach to the arts and cultural life for people with disabilities. The forums are funded under the Australia Council for the Arts Community Partnerships. Venues: Wednesday 4 February, 10am-2.30pm, Multi Purpose Room of Cowra Library, Cowra; Monday 9 February, 10am-2.30pm Wellington Senior Citizen's Hall Swift Street Wellington; Monday 16 February 16, 10am-2.30pm Forbes Youth & Community Centre YACC, Forbes. Contact Arts OutWest, Tel 02 6338 4657 Still @ the Centre: art workshops
9 February - April, Byron Bay Art classes and workshops to inspire and stimulate. Discover new techniques or develop your own style and expertise. Find renewed impetus or start afresh. Let your creative expression explore and expand, while you remain still @ the centre. We look forward to welcoming you to the centre. The following classes will be running: See & Be Seen with Nitza Flantz Mondays – 2 to 5pm; Painting with Bernadette Curtin, Tuesdays – 10am to 1pm ; Art Journaling with Zom Osborne, Wednesdays – 10am to 1pm ; Drawing with Sharon Muir, Wednesdays – 6 to 9pm; Watercolour Impressions with Pete Pinza Fridays – 2 to 5pm. Classes are held at 3 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay. Term fees are $300/$280 for 8 weeks. Tel 02 6685 5808 Email still@the-centre.com.au Website www.the-centre.com.au Photographic Conservation Workshop and Clinic21 February, Cowra A special public event in association with the exhibition Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950 – 1970 presented by a professional conservator from the National Archives of Australia. From 11am to 12.30pm: information on how to store, preserve, handle and display various types of photographs found in institutional and family collections. This will cover colour and black and white prints, as well as negatives, slides and photographic albums. From 1.30pm to 2.15pm: Advice on digitising historical photographs including how best to digitally copy and preserve your photographs. From 2.15 to 3pm: conservation clinic – participants are encouraged to bring along their own historic photographs for discussion. All welcome, admission is free to all sessions. Note: Lunch is not provided, tea and coffee available. At Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling St. Tel 02 6340 2190 Website www.cowraartgallery.com.au The Deep River Choir28 February, 2 & 16 May,
Moruya The Deep River Choir project is supported by a grant from the Regional Arts Fund (RAF). LGSA Tourism Conference10 - 12 March, Kiama The LGSA has once again partnered with Tourism NSW to bring you the 5th Annual Tourism Conference. Hosted by Kiama Municipal Council the elite sponsor for 2009 is the School of Tourism and Ho spitality Management at Southern Cross University. The fifth annual local government tourism conference is about building the foundations for tourism development in your local area, and consequently NSW as a whole. Tourism relies upon many facets of infrastructure and related services to create a competitive product. This involves the successful integration of private and public sector investment in areas such as transport, restaurants, accommodation, cultural and recreational facilities, attractions and community facilities. Program and booking details online. Website www.lgsa-plus.net.au Build Your Audience: disability awareness & access training24 March, Sydney Did you know people with disabilities comprise approximately 20% of the Australian population? That is 3.6 million people. For such a large group of people it is often the case that they are not able to attend an arts venue or an event due to lack of information, access or service. This can mean not only excluding 3.6 million people, but also their carers, friends and family from the arts. In addition to outlining the legal obligation to ensure equal access to all goods, services and venues (Disability Discrimination Act 1992), the training provided by Accessible Arts increases awareness of the barriers for people with disabilities in accessing the arts and provides strategies to overcome them - hence building a much larger audience for your event or venue. The half-day TAFE accredited module, is designed for individuals working in the arts and arts organisations. What do you do if someone arrives at your venue/event with a guide dog? A man in a wheelchair has called to check whether your venue/event is suitably accessible – what information should you give him? Cost: $110. Contact Jane Pollard, Training Manager, Tel 02 9251 6499 Email training.manager@aarts.net.au Website www.aarts.net.au Autumn Art School
4 - 5 April, Orange Orange Art Society are presenting a series of workshops for the Autumn Art School. Ted Lewis will present a workshop on Landscapes in Oils; Robyn Ross will present Portraits in Oils; Joy Englemen, Contemporary watercolours; Robert Keen, Drawing Basics; and Wanda Driscoll will present Contemporary Acrylics. The cost is $95 per day or $180 all weekend. Cost includes morning & af ternoon tea, light lunch. Bring your own materials or buy on the day. Art materials will be for sale on the weekend by Raw Cnavas of Canowindra. At the NSW Agriculture Training Centre, Forest Rd, Orange. Contact: Wanda Tel 02 6362 0708, Sue Tel 02 6362 5729, Joy Tel 02 6361 4147 M&G NSW: Access to Funding29 April, Tamworth Successfully obtaining funds for museums and galleries requires knowledge and creativity. Museums & Galleries NSW presents Access to Funding, an invaluable workshop which delivers the skills and specialist knowledge to make accessing funds a reality. Presented with support from The Country Music Hall of Fame, the Access to Funding workshop delivers hardcopy resources, inspirational stories from successful grant applicants, and intensive practical sessions with professionals running funding programs. Join speakers from local and state organisations as they offer invaluable insight into grant writing. Access to Funding is a must for community managed museums, galleries and cultural institutions. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible! Cost: $45/$35/$31. At The Country Music Hall of Fame, Tamworth, 93 Brisbane St. Contact Phoebe Arthur, Tel 02 9339 9913 Email phoebea@mgnsw.org.au Website http://mgnsw.org.au OpportunitiesConvergence Study
Would you be interested in participating on an advisory committee or working group to assist Museums & Galleries NSW to develop some robust data and information on convergence – or the integration of museums, galleries, libraries and other cultural facilities? Australia is leading the way in developing new models of cultural facilities that address broad cultural needs, rather than those of a particular art form. There is no doubt however, that these new facilities and organisational structures to support them, pose challenges in terms of costs, personnel needs and programming. M&G NSW is committed to documenting the challenges and benefits of converged facilities and establishing benchmark data to assist in the future planning of and investment in these facilities. Contact Amanda Muscat, Tel 02 9339 9902 Email amandam@mgnsw.org.au Closing 6 February BF09 Under the Radar
After the immense success of BF08, Brisbane Festival is putting the call out for applications for the 2009 event. A 16 day theatrefest within a festival, BF09 Under the Radar celebrates the creation of new work, taking risks, self discovery and pushing the boundaries. From 18 September - 3 October 2009, BF09 will take over Brisbane’s Metro Arts building, aiming the spotlight at young and emerging theatre artists who operate under the radar of the mainstream. This year we will also move beyond theatre, taking BF09 and all its quirky splendour to the masses on the streets of Brisbane’s CBD. For the first time street theatre will be included in the programme with an estimated 10 shows being staged in shop fronts, vacant retail premises and on the streets over 2 weeks. The festival will include plays, burlesque, physical theatre, street theatre, theatre of image, dance theatre, musical theatre, cabare, junkyard, circus, and public performance. All welcome to apply. Contact Fiona Tel 07 3833 5415 Email undertheradar@majorbrisbanefestivals.com.au Website www.brisbanefestival.com.au Closing 16 February ArtStart Design commission
ArtStart is looking for a young artist or graphic designer (resident in NSW and aged between 12 and 24) to develop a new design and slogan to promote ArtStart 2009. The successful artist will be paid a commission fee and will be profiled on the Artstart website and other youth media. The ArtStart Design Selection Panel will be looking for a design and slogan that: attracts the attention of young people and encourages them to get involved in ArtStart 2009; reflects the inclusive nature of ArtStart and the diversity of young people that are involved; and can be adapted and reproduced for a variety of printed and online marketing purposes. The design can be in any style and produced in any medium. The slogan should be no more than 5 words. Expression of Interest forms and guidelines online. Website www.artstart.com.au Closing 27 February Museum Leadership ProgramEvery two years museum professionals from Australia and the region have the opportunity to nominate for the Museum Leadership Program. The Program is a challenging and intensive 6-day residential program designed to meet the needs of senior museum professionals. Led by an outstanding international faculty, the highly interactive program brings a global perspective to the Australian museum industry. Participants focus on strategic planning and management issues relevant to the region. The next Museum Leadership Program is scheduled for August 2009 at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, North Ryde, NSW. To obtain a brochure and application form, contact Debbie Milsom, Manager Administration National Operations, Museums Australia. Email ma@museumsaustralia.org.au Closing 13 March ReGenerating Community: Art, Community and GovernanceThe ReGenerating Community Conference is about ways in which global issues are being addressed locally through collaborations between artists, communities and local government. Issues of community identity in an environment of globalised culture; issues of energy production in the context of climate change; issues of indigenous sovereignty on leasehold land; issues of country becoming city and changing identity; issues of aging; issues of schooling; issues of imaging futures, issues of having a future, etc. The conference is taking place in Melbourne from 2 - 4 September 2009. The academic stream of the conference is being co-ordinated by Martin Mulligan at RMIT University. It will include keynote presentations, featured panels, on-the-couch conversations and parallel papers. Those wishing to present a paper should send an Abstract to Martin Mulligan Email martin.mulligan@rmit.edu.au Closing 16 March Call for Papers - Conserving Public and Private CollectionsThe Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material will be holding its next National Conference in Fremantle on 21-25 September 2009. It will cover the range of issues that conservators face when working on collections: private, public or as part of collaborative projects. Conservators, curators, collection managers, conservation scientists, and others working with collections are invited to submit proposals for presentations on topics that may include: conservation treatments, scientific analysis, and/or conservation, curatorial, and management issues raised when conserving cultural material in public or private hands. Proposals for workshops may also be considered. Abstracts up to 300 words in length . Contact Jonathan Schmidt, State Library of Western Australia Email jonathan.schmidt@slwa.wa.gov.au Closing 31 March Men's Choir, Mid North CoastExpressions of interest are sought from men of the Mid North Coast that are interested in joining a male community choir in 2009. The choir is yet to be formed, but will be a not for profit, incorporated community choir accessible to all men (with a lower age limit of 15 - 18), with no auditions. The choir will meet once a week in Port Macquarie during school terms, day and time tbc, but suggest a week night 6-8pm followed by a beer or coffee. A Musical Director will be recruited to manage the choir musically. There will be a membership charge of $10 per year and $10 per week attended, to cover music, hall hire, musical director fees. We will aim for a few performances each year. There will be room to discuss the type of songs we sing, but suggest to minimise religious songs and definitely no Christmas carols! Boofy men's songs are good! If you are interested in joining this Men's choir, please contact Marcus Ludriks Tel 02 6585 1865 Email marcus.ludriks@bigpond.com Raw Comedy call for entriesAustralia is entering a long and hilarious Raw-cession this month, as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival declares registrations open across the country for Raw Comedy, Australia’s largest and most prestigious open mic comedy competition. With 59 gigs announced in every capital city and major regional centres across the country, rates of interest in fresh new faces rose a milliony percent. Undiscovered comic geniuses rushed to www.rawcomedy.com.au to sign up for their chance to follow in the footsteps of past contestants including Peter Helliar, Adam Richard, Dave Callan, Adam Spencer, Tom Gleeson and Chris Lilley, who in 2001 performed a character piece about an obsessive drama teacher called 'Mister G.' Anyone who has earned less than $500 from performing comedy – frankly, pretty much everyone at the moment – is eligible to try their luck at making it to the National Grand Final and winning a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where fame and fortune awaits, and the food is already depression-quality. Details online. Website www.comedyfestival.com.au/raw EmploymentEntertainment Centre Manager, Shoalhaven City CouncilSalary: $72,443 - $80,421, Nowra Shoalhaven’s exciting new $23.5million Entertainment Centre in Nowra opened in July 2008. Council is seeking a highly motivated, competent and creative individual to ensure excellence in the future operation and management of the Centre as a successful business. You will be expected to provide an effective and efficient service for the planning, implementation, management, maintenance and marketing of the facility. The successful applicant will provide an entrepreneurial and creative environment to attract and foster performing arts, events and functions, conventions, commercial and community activities and to make the Centre vibrant, high profile and a sustainable part of the City within allocated resources. Full positiion description online. Website www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au Closing 6 February Researcher: Aboriginal Collection, Dubbo Regional MuseumSalary not stated, Dubbo Dubbo Regional Museum incorporates a semi-permanent exhibition space and a temporary exhibition area. The semi-permanent exhibition space, People, Places and Possessions: Dubbo Stories presents a history of Dubbo and the region. The exhibition currently has a small section dedicated to local Aboriginal history, primarily containing artefacts. There is an important need to further research and develop the Aboriginal objects in the museum collection as well as source relevant artefacts. We would like to engage a qualified aboriginal Researcher familiar with Wiradjuri country who will encourage community consultation and approach the research project with sensitivity, respect and the necessary protocol. The project aims to determine the relevance, significance and provenance of objects relating to Dubbo and Central NSW region through consultation with local and regional indigenous communities, professional cultural agencies, and Central West Catchment Management Authority and WPCC Staff. Contact Jessica Moore Tel 02 6801 4432 Email jessica.moore@dubbo.nsw.gov.au Closing 27 February Grants, Fellowships + ResidenciesThe Myer Foundation | small grants programThe Myer Fund small grants program plays a critical role in upholding the integrity of the arts community within Australia by supporting artistic initiatives that often fall outside other funding agendas. The current priority areas in the Arts and Humanities Small Grants Program are as follows: to build capacity of the individual through ensuring that indigenous and non-indigenous artists gain access to professional training, development and mentoring; to develop new works by individual Australian artists and small and medium-sized organisations in the following priority areas: Indigenous arts, regional areas, experimental and emerging art forms; and projects that support the humanities, particularly those that contribute to a broad understanding of and engagement with the humanities. Tel 03 9207 3040 Email enquiries@myerfoundation.org.au Website www.myerfoundation.org.au Closing 4 February DEWHA | Contemporary Music Touring ProgramThe Contemporary Music Touring Program provides funding support for touring activities to the contemporary music sector. The program provides opportunities for a wide range of music to tour the country - including but not limited to, rock, pop, jazz, folk, country and Indigenous music. The program is committed to supporting touring opportunities for Australian musicians, and increasing audience access to live and original Australian contemporary music, particularly in regional and remote Australia. Priorities: Proposals which will assist performers from regional areas or that include a majority of regional destinations are considered a higher priority for funding. Guidelines and application forms online. Tel 02 6275 9541 Email music.touring@environment.gov.au Website www.arts.gov.au Closing 5 February Media Mentorship for Women (MMW)
The Media Mentorship for Women (MMW) program will establish mentor relationships between industry professionals and women who are seeking to further their careers in key technical areas such as Cinematography, Editing, Sound Design, Music Composition, Directing, Script Writing, Animation, Location Management, Media Law, Interactive Media and other areas in which women are consistently under represented. All applicants will be invited to attend free workshops and forums and will have free access to our online forum called i-Mentoring and Podcasts of our Sydney events. Guidelines and application forms online. Contact Ana Tiwary (MMW Program Director) Email mentorship@wiftnsw.org.au Website http://wiftnsw-mmw.org/CMS Closing 6 February DEWHA | Cultural Gifts ProgramThe Cultural Gifts Program provides tax incentives to encourage gifts of culturally significant items from private collections to public art galleries, museums, libraries and archives. Gifts can range from paintings, books, sculptures, manuscripts and personal papers to jewellery, ceramics, technological, mechanical, scientific and social history collections. The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts administers the program in accordance with the gift provisions of the income tax law and with the advice of an expert committee, the Committee on Taxation Incentives for the Arts. Since its establishment in 1978, over $530 million worth of items have been donated through the Cultural Gifts Program. They include visual and decorative arts, Indigenous arts and cultural artefacts, social history and scientific collections and archival material. The program is administered in accordance with the gift provisions of the income tax law and with the advice of an expert committee, the Committee on Taxation Incentives for the Arts. Full details online. Website www.arts.gov.au Closing 6 February FTO | Aurora
The NSW Film and Television Office (FTO) has refocused Aurora, its intensive professional script development program, and is calling for applications for the new 2009 intake. For the first time the program is opening up nationally, as well as inviting stand-alone writers to apply. Aurora emphasises the collaborative relationship between the Writer, Producer and Director in the development process, giving promising and original scripts complete support, fast tracking the final draft and then the financing of the film. Four to six projects will be selected. Further information, guidelines and application forms online. Email aurora@fto.nsw.gov.au Website www.fto.nsw.gov.au/fund.asp?id=219 Closing 9 February RANSW | Country Arts Support Program (CASP)CASP provides small grants to arts and community organisations, local government and arts councils in regional NSW for short term, locally initiated projects. CASP is a key regional arts funding program for NSW which provides support to employ artists in a diverse range of arts and cultural projects. The aim is to provide access to arts activities for small communities, to encourage communities to work together on cultural projects, to foster cultural diversity in the regions and to ensure that regional and rural areas have an artistic voice. Grants of up to $3,000 are available for projects, through funds devolved from Arts NSW. Application forms and guidelines for CASP are online. Contact Ben Sibson, Funding Officer Tel 02 9270 2501 Website www.regionalartsnsw.com.au Closing 13 February NAVA | Janet Holmes a Court Artists grant
The Janet Holmes à Court Artists' Grant is designed to provide financial assistance to professional artists for the public presentation of their work. This funding is made possible through a generous donation from Mrs Janet Holmes à Court and the support of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council. This grant provides assistance towards the costs of public presentation of visual arts, craft and design. This can include, but is not limited to, framing, media releases, media photographs, advertising, space rental, installation costs, promotional printing, mail outs, documentation, freight, travel, equipment rental, insurance, technical assistance and opening costs. Amounts available are: $500 for individuals and $1,000 for groups. Application details online. Website www.visualarts.net.au/grantsprizes Closing 15 February NAVA | Marketing GrantThe Marketing Grant for NSW Artists has been initiated by NAVA with funds made available from Arts NSW. The aim is to assist professional visual artists and craftspeople in NSW to effectively promote and market their work throughout NSW, interstate and overseas through creative and cost effective marketing initiatives and campaigns. Funds are intended to assist directly with the costs associated with the development and implementation of a Marketing Plan, for example, the preparation and distribution of a portfolio, conducting market research, building contacts, creating and maintaining a database, establishing a website or undertaking publicity that may or may not be in relation to an exhibition. Application details online. Website www.visualarts.net.au Closing 15 February FTO | Production InvestmentThe next call for Expressions of Interest for this production round at the FTO is open. If you intend to apply for production funding, you must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) by 10 am, Monday 16 February at the latest. No application form is required at this stage. This is a preliminary EOI and should consist only of the following: 1. Applicant details including company and contact details. 2. The creative team and cast attached if any (max 1 page) 3. An extended synopsis of the project, and type of project (max 1 page) 4. Proposed Financing plan (and status of all elements of finance plan) and proposed FTO amount requested. (max 2 pages). Once an EOI is received FTO Development Executives will liaise with producers as the financing of their project develops. Only those projects that can demonstrate that they are completing financing, and reasonably expect to be ready before the FTO's Board meeting, can be invited to apply. At this time, a formal application form along with usual submission materials will be required. Contact Martin Williams, Tel 02 9264 6400 Email devinv@fto.nsw.gov.au Closing 16 February DEWHA | Festivals AustraliaFestivals Australia is an Australian Government program which funds Australian regional and community festivals to present quality cultural projects. Funding is available to add a new or special sort of cultural activity. To be eligible for funding, an activity must not have been previously presented and must be one that could not be afforded without the funding. Applications must be made by organisations that manage regular festivals. Eligible organisations include local governments and councils, cultural organisations and regional arts councils that manage festivals. Application details and guidelines online. Website www.arts.gov.au/arts/festivals_australia Closing 16 February Screen Australia | Long Black Feature Program
The Long Black Feature Program is a strategic initiative of the Indigenous Branch of Screen Australia, aimed at encouraging and supporting Indigenous filmmakers to work in the longer format, and to bring to the screen feature stories authored and crafted by Indigenous people. We are seeking to invest in the development of outstanding feature-length drama projects which are based on strong ideas, are well crafted, of varying styles and content, exhibit a high level of creative ambition and can demonstrate the possibility of being financed for production. Selection will be made on the basis of a well-developed treatment or draft script (if already written), with consideration given to the intrinsic merit of the story and the strength of the creative team. Guidelines and application forms online. Tel 02 8113 5899 Email indigenous@screenaustralia.gov.auWebsite www.screenaustralia.gov.au Closing 20 February DEWHA | Indigenous Culture SupportThe Indigenous Culture Support program (ICS) supports the maintenance and continued development of Indigenous culture at the community level, and Indigenous culture as a dynamic part of Australian culture and identity. ICS funds activities that encourage culturally vibrant Indigenous communities and contribute to the cultural identity and wellbeing of Indigenous individuals and communities. The program supports activities that: maintain Indigenous culture through community involvement; support new forms of Indigenous cultural expression; increase public awareness of Indigenous culture, including through the presentation and exchange of culture; and support the sustainable development of community organisations involved in cultural activities. Guidelines on the website. Website www.arts.gov.au/indigenous Closing 20 February DEWHA | Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and RecordsThe Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records (MILR) program addresses the steady erosion and loss of Australia’s estimated 250 original Indigenous languages by providing support for the maintenance and revival of these languages. The MILR program supports a broad range of projects, including documentation and recording of Indigenous languages and the development of language resources and language databases to assist with the development and delivery of programs through language centres. It also supports greater coordination between language organisations, activities that promote Indigenous languages in the wider community and innovative projects using multimedia and new technologies. Website www.arts.gov.au/indigenous Closing 20 February Australia Council | arts organisations project grants
Arts organisations project grants - creative professionals involve training, placements and mentorships and creative workforce traineeships for major performing arts organisations. As a result of research undertaken into the sector, the major performing arts board has established a creative professionals program fund of $150,000 per annum for 2008, 2009 and 2010 to encourage retention and career progression of mid-career production and creative staff. Proposals should demonstrate support and/or broker advanced training, international creative residencies or strategic professional relationships for mid-career creative professional staff from the major performing arts and wider sector, in order to enable them to advance artistic skills, knowledge and experience. Details online. Website www.australiacouncil.gov.au Closing 27 February Australia Council | Community Partnerships grantsProject and Professional Development - This grant provide funding of up to $20,000 for one-off community arts and cultural development projects that involve a range of collaborating partners and may or may not have a public outcome. Partners will work in collaboration with the applicant, towards a shared vision and may contribute financially or in kind to the project. Individual artists and arts workers seeking support for professional development opportunities in community arts and cultural development should also apply to this category. Closing 2 March Telstra Kid's FundPermanent Telstra Group employees can apply for a Telstra's Kids Fund grant of $1,200 to support a project or activity run by a not-for-profit organisation involving a child, 18 years or under, in their immediate family. Each year $750,000 is given to local community organisations on behalf of children related to Telstra employees. Telstra's Kids Fund provides grants for not-for-profit organisations in the following areas: arts and culture, disability, education, environment, health, sport and recreation, valuing cultural diversity. Organisations such as schools, sporting clubs, hospitals and childcare centres have benefited from Telstra's Kids Fund. Requests for musical equipment, educational resources, sport and recreation equipment and building upgrades have been among the grants given by the Telstra Kid's Fund. Application details online. Website www.telstrafoundation.com Closing 20 February Australian Antarctic Arts FellowshipAntarctica's isolation and inhospitable nature are considerable barriers to all but the few who can afford the high cost of visiting as a tourist, or to those scientists and support personnel who participate in national Antarctic programs. As a way of informing and educating Australians about Antarctica and Australia's activities there, the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) administers the Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship enabling those with a non-science focus to experience Antarctica first-hand so that they may communicate this unique experience and understanding to other Australians. The AAD invites applications from two main groups: artists, researchers, filmmakers and writers with a demonstrated track record; and talented emerging artists and writers from the creative arts, humanities and social sciences. The program aims to nurture the production of excellent and significant works of art and interpretation by leading professionals and talented emerging artists and writers. The Fellowship takes the form of a berth on a ship to Antarctica and associated logistical support ie, food, accommodation and transport. Full details online. Website www.aad.gov.au Closing 30 March FRRR | Small Grants for Small Rural CommunitiesA small grants program for small rural Australian communities will offer about $850,000 a year in grants to benefit people in rural and remote communities. Small, well targeted grants can be useful to small rural and remote communities and to make small grants more accessible to communities in rural Australia we have established this new and innovative funding program. This collaborative approach is designed to: make better, targeted use of funds improving access for rural & regional communities, provide a simpler application process, enhance efficiency and effectiveness for philanthropic trusts and foundations who wish to support small communities. Currently, applications that support the following areas of interest will be given preference: community development involving youth, resettlement of immigrants in rural Australia, community infrastructure, and Community hardship in drought effected areas. Website www.frrr.org.au Closing 31 March The JB Seed
The JB Seed aims to help Australian artists from any background, creating art and music across any genre, to establish themselves as self-sustained, professional artists. Over the past five years, with the help of a bunch of like minded music loving folk they've been extremely proud to hand out over $400,000 to incredibly talented, motivated and original artists who could do with some financial support. It’s been an honour to give these people a helping hand. There are four grant categories, including two new ones for 2009: The JB Seed Jump Grant, Art for the Public, Management Workshop Initiative, and the Jacqui McCoy (Geia Trust). Grant details and application forms online. A JB Seed forum has been created to pose questions, advertise gigs, exhibitions, screenings and protests. Ask for people's services and ask for people’s advice. Email grants@thejbseed.com Website www.thejbseed.com Closing 27 April Cudgegong Gallery Artist in Residence programArtsists of all persuasions find the historic built environment of Gulgong inspiring as well as the surrounding bushlands and rural scenes. Residencies are open to all Australian and international practising and emerging artists, arts students over 18 years of age, and artists who wish to share the venue with a collaborative artist or a supportive companion. Artists will have the choice of two residencies: a cottage including on-site studio and gallery space at 89 Mayne Street Gulgong or a cottage and studio space at “Summervale” 14kms from Gulgong. Artists may exhibit work during their residency at 89 Mayne Street Gallery or at a later date by arrangement. Contact Cudgegong Gallery for available dates. Details and application forms online. Website www.cudgegonggallery.com.au Ongoing Awards + PrizesMuswellbrook Open Art PrizeThe Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection began with the first Muswellbrook Open Art Prize in 1958 and has continued to grow since then via the art prizes in the categories of painting, works on paper, ceramics and photography, and through donations and purchases. There are three sections in the Award. Section A: $15,000 Acquisitive Open Prize for a two dimensional painting of any subject in any medium (Sponsored by Bengalla Mining Company Pty Limited). Section B: $3,000 Acquisitive Open Prize for any work on paper of any subject, in any medium excluding photography (Sponsored by Muswellbrook Shire Council). Section C: $5,000 Acquisitive Open Prize for a ceramic work of any subject (Sponsored by Bengalla Mining Company Pty Limited). Entry forms due 30 January, works due 7 February. Entry form and details online. Tel 02 6549 3880 Website www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au Closing 7 February Calleen Art AwardThe Cowra Regional Art Gallery invites artists to enter the Calleen Art Award. The Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive art award of $10,000 for a contemporary artwork in any painting medium ie oils, acrylic, mixed media (only if paint remains the dominant medium). The award is open to artists living and working in Australia and sponsored by the Calleen Trust (initiated in 1977 by Patricia Fagan OAM). An artist who enters the Calleen Art Award and who lives and works in the central west NSW region may nominate on the entry form to be considered by the selection panel as a finalist in the Central West Regional Artists Award if not selected as a finalist for the Calleen Art Award. Contact Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Tel 02 6340 2190 Website www.cowraartgallery.com.au Closing 9 February Border and Region Film Festival (BARFF)
Murray Arts is looking for entries to the Border and Region Film Festival (BARFF). Now in its sixth year, BARFF promotes beginning and emerging film makers throughout regional Australia. This is a fantastic exhibition showing what regional film makers are capable of. BARFF screens selected films at the scenic Albury Botanic Gardens on Saturday 14 March 2009. If you have an idea for a film, or want to submit one you’ve made, and you’re from regional Australia, then what are you waiting for? Download a copy of the 2009 Entry Form from www.barff.com.au Tel 02 6021 5034, and leave your name and address details) and get cracking. Don’t leave it till it’s too late – enter now. Go film. Go enter. Go BARFF! Closing 9 February Central West Regional Artists AwardThe inaugural Central West Regional Artists Award is a non acquisitive prize of $2,000 for a contemporary art work in any painting medium ie oils, acrylic, or mixed media (only if paint remains the dominant medium); printmaking and works on paper; glass or ceramics. The award is open to artists living and working in central west NSW regions and local government areas of the Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Region, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Wellington. The winner of the Central West Regional Artists Award will also receive the opportunity of an exhibition at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery during 2009/10. Contact Cowra Regional Art Gallery Tel 02 6340 2190 Website www.cowraartgallery.com.au Closing 9 February Art Monthly Australia Emerging Arts Writer’s Award
Art Monthly Australia is calling for entries for the inaugural Art Monthly Australia Emerging Arts Writer's Award/Mentorships. Emerging arts writers across Australia are invited to submit an article that responds to this year’s theme of 'visual arts and environmental sustainability'. Awards will be given in two categories: Open (articles of 1000 – 1500 words) and Senior Secondary School Student (articles of 500 – 1000 words). Winners will be published in Art Monthly and will receive: Open category $2000; Senior secondary school student $500, plus $500 in art supplies for the winner's School. Other outstanding entries will receive publishing and mentoring opportunities. Contact Maurice O'Riordan, Art Monthly Australia's Editor, Tel 02 6125 3988 Email art.monthly@anu.edu.au Closing 27 February Casella Art Prize
Casella Wines and Griffith Regional Art Gallery invites artists to enter works in the 2009 Casella Art Prize. The Casella Art Prize aims to support new, emerging and established artists within Australia and is committed to the promotion of excellence and innovation in the field of painting. Artists entering the 2009 Casella Art Prize must create an original artwork in the medium of painting and to interpret and incorporate the theme 'built and natural environment'. Three prizes will be awarded this year. The Casella Art Prize for excellence in painting is $2500. There is a $1500 highly commended prize and $1000 best local emerging prize. Entry forms and further conditions of entry are available from the Griffith Regional Art Gallery. Works will be exhibited from 26 March - 26 April 2009. Tel 02 6962 5991 Email gallery@griffith.nsw.gov.au Closing 20 March Metro Screen | Tell Your Story competitionTell your story in three minutes to win one of three Network Production Grants, providing screen makers equipment and facilities hire to the total value of $7,500. Entries can be in any genre, of any subject matter, shot on any format, be submitted on a DVD and have been completed no earlier than 1 May 2008. Finalist works will be judged with winners announced at the festival screening 2 June 2009. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third, and the after party provides the perfect forum to network. Three minutes could fund your next film. “A big part of Metro Screen is encouraging members to tell their story.” says Michael Chrisoulakis, Network Coordinator, “The three minute time limit will be a creative challenge, but the rewards are definitely worthwhile. The production support we’re offering could let you make your next film on us.” So start shooting! Story competition. Length: three minutes max including titles and credits. Entry fee: free for Metro Screen members, $15 for non-members. Submission by DVD only, plus completed and signed entry form. Tel 02 9356 1818 Email metro@metroscreen.org.au Website www.metroscreen.org.au Closing 1 May Forbo Silk Cut Award
This year marks the 10th Silk Cut Award, designed to encourage the making and appreciation of linocut prints. The existence of the award has led to many visual artists working in the medium and producing some extraordinary and imaginative work from the eco-friendly linoleum, Silk Cut. Tthe Silk Cut Award is the only national print award to have a category dedicated to students, providing print artists of all ages with the opportunity for their work to be recognised on a national stage. An attractive prize pool includes a choice of a trip to Amsterdam worth $7,000 including return air fare, 10 days accommodation and $1,000 spending money. The student section will see four successful entrants win a Silk Cut Award trophy and certificate while the overall first place prize winner receives a $2500 cash prize for their school's art department. Website www.silkcutlino.com Closing 19 June About this e-BulletinContribute to e-Bulletin?Yes please! All contributions to the e-Bulletin are welcome and encouraged. All we ask is that you send us your listing a week before publication and make it as easy as possible for us to include your material by providing us with 'print ready' type. Listings should include the title, date, location, a short (100 word) description plus all available contact details - and a picture, if you have one. Anything that will be of interest to artists, arts workers or arts lovers in regional NSW, we'll be glad to include. (We do reserve the right not to publish inappropriate material, though, of course). The deadline for the March 2009 e-Bulletin is 22 February 2009. Send your listings to newsletter@regionalartsnsw.com.au No repeats! But everything is archived onlineThe Regional Arts NSW e-Bulletin contains no repeat listings but there are always other opportunities, grants and/or prizes still available from previous editions. Access the archive here Print it out!The e-Bulletin is designed to be printed out so you can pass it on to those who don't have internet access or take it away to read elsewhere. Spread the word! If you know anyone you think might like the e-Bulletin, feel free to pass it on but do please suggest that people subscribe directly themselves - that way we know how many people benefit from the service. SubscriptionsFeedback Yes please!Email the Editor. Credits and ThanksRegional Arts NSWRegional Arts NSW is the peak body for regional arts activity in regional and rural New South Wales. Tel 02 9270 2500 Regional Arts NSW receives funding from Arts NSW, The Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, and the Australia Council for the Arts. |
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