Highlights
Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival
8 - 10 April, Bellingen
Located on the spectacular Waterfall Way between the ocean beaches of the NSW mid north coast and the ancient Gondwana rainforest, the Bellingen region has been the inspiration for many Australian writers including Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival patron Peter Carey. The inaugural festival is a celebration of Australian writing in all its forms and features an exciting list of established and emerging Australian writers. Three days of events including readings, panels, forums and feasts, workshops, multimedia, theatre and spoken word performances will take place amidst the magnificent natural environs of the Bellinger River, Coffs Coast and Dorrigo National Park. Festival Chairman Rod Howard says, "We're trying to make this something for the entire mid north coast, a celebration of the region and the creativity it's inspired." The festival program and ticketing details are available online at www.brwf.com.au
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The Inland Sea of Sound Festival
10 - 16 April, Bathurst
The Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC) is gearing up for its premier world music event, The Inland Sea of Sound Festival. Throughout the week of April 10-16 the festival will bring music and films from across the world to the backyards of Bathurst and to BMEC concert stages. Artistic Director Aaron Hopper says, “We have programmed a truly world class musical and cultural feast. We will be treated to music from Africa, Belgium, Japan, Ireland, Spain, Eastern Europe and Australia.” The impressive line-up of world musicians includes the Gypsy band Lolo Lovina, Micheline Van Hautem, The Sawai Koto Ensemble, Mara and Llew Kiek, as well as world music acts from the region. This year’s festival will also include a World Music Film Marathon showcasing selected films from around the globe. The festival program is available online at www.bmec.com.au
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Tilba Festival
23 April, Tilba
Held on Easter Saturday each year, the Tilba Festival is a highlight event for the NSW South Coast, expanding the population of the old village of Central Tilba from 100 to an astonishing 10,000. There is a fabulous array of entertainment for all ages on offer including live music on four stages, roaming street performers, street games with prizes, art show and craft demonstrations, market stalls, lots of yummy food and much more. Highlights of this year's festival include the Great Zamboni magician, Milo the Clown, the Reptile Awareness snake show, the egg toss and bushie's boot throw, Lenka's Puppet Show, the Tilba Youth Talent Quest and a huge variety of music from jazz to folk to bagpipes. Tilba Festival is proud to be a volunteer non-profit community project, completely free of corporate sponsorship and dedicated to the happiness of all who attend.
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Gum Ball Festival
29 - 30 April, Belford
The 7th annual Gum Ball Festival will be held from Friday 29 to Saturday 30 April at its beloved bushland home of ‘Dashville’ at Belford, two hours north of Sydney in the Hunter Valley. Boasting its biggest and best line-up to date, the boutique family friendly event has stuck true to its format, once again putting forward a remarkably diverse line-up. Over twenty acts from around Australia will take the stage including KORA, CW Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, The Vasco Era, The Bamboos, Space Invadas, Resin Dogs, Custom Kings and many more. Combining music with onsite camping, great food, market stalls, kiddies mega playground and workshops, a fancy dress competition, charity fundraising, big warm fires and a family friendly vibe, Gum Ball is an event you won't want to miss. For the festival program and ticketing details please visit www.thegumball.com.au. The Gum Ball Festival is a fundraising initiative for The Black Dog Institute.
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Regional Arts NSW News
Max Becker joins Regional Arts NSW
Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) is delighted to welcome Max Becker to the office as their new Administration and Communications Officer. Max has substantial experience within the NSW arts and not-for-profit sectors, having worked with MusicNSW for over four years on the youth-focused music program Indent, initially as the Partnership Grants Manager and later as the Indent Project Manager. Max's role at Regional Arts NSW will involve administration of the Sydney office and delivery of the communications program, including production of the monthly e-bulletin. He will replace Elinor Heard, who is leaving the Administration and Communications role for a relocation interstate. Max commences his new position in early April and will be contactable on 02 9270 2500.
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National Regional Arts Broadband Forum connects the nation
Monday 28 March was a significant day for Australia’s regional and remote arts industries, marking the nation’s first National Arts Broadband Forum, hosted by Regional Arts Australia at Parliament House Canberra. The forum highlighted to the assembled audience of seventy – including representatives of the Australian Government and the NBN Co – that the roll-out of the broadband network unlocks potential new projects, skills development and content creation for those working in creative industries across Australia. Special guest The Hon Simon Crean MP, (Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government; Minister for the Arts) addressed the Forum, saying “Affordable high-speed broadband will provide a huge boost for many sectors – including health and education – but there is also enormous opportunity in the arts sector. The forum is the next step to making the arts and creative industries an important driver of change and opportunity in regional Australia – and of truly realising that, through the NBN, a creative nation is a productive nation”. Broadcast live via an audio webcast by Feral Arts, an astonishing six hundred plus people tuned into the Forum and contributed online. Regional Arts NSW Chair, Meg Larkin, and CEO, Elizabeth Rogers, were both in attendance on the day. View the Forum webcast at http://ps3beta.com/events/webcast
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Arts Northern Rivers launches new youth mentoring program
Arts Northern Rivers has announced the Young Creatives Mentoring Project, a new scheme matching local young creatives aged 16 to 24 with mentors recruited exclusively from the Northern Rivers' own creative communities. Arts Northern Rivers' Communications and Arts Development Officer, Julie Clark says, “It is a popularly quoted fact that the Northern Rivers region of NSW has one of the highest concentrations of artists and creative practitioners in the country. We also have an upcoming generation of young people with energy and ideas who we know could benefit from the direction and support of professionals who are established in their field.” The new program is modelled on similar mentoring projects in Australia and overseas, but what makes this one unique is its commitment to match young creatives exclusively with local mentors. Applications are now invited for the scheme, with a call to young people with a passionate interest in the arts to put their hand up to be included. Successful applicants will receive six months direction and support from a Creative Mentor and be eligible for up to $500 towards the cost of achieving a creative project or idea. Applications 6 May 2011 with guidelines available at www.artsnorthernrivers.com.au
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2011 Museum Standards Program kicks off in Bega
In late February Sarah-Jane Rennie and Phoebe Arthur of Museums & Galleries NSW officially commenced the Museum Standards Program in Bega. The Standards Program is an important museum development program that will be delivered this year in partnership with the South East Arts Region (SEAR), and is supported by local councils including the Bega Valley Shire Council, the Cooma Monaro Shire Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council, and the Queanbeyan City Council. The diverse range of participating museums include the Adaminaby Snowy Scheme Collection,
Bega Valley Historical Society, Bermagui Historical Society,
Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society,
Cooma Correctional Museum,
Eden Killer Whale Museum, Moruya & District Historical Society,
Merimbula Old School Museum,
Queanbeyan Museum,
Tathra Wharf Museum Committee and
Thredbo Museum. To read a full account of the introductory workshop held in Bega visit the Museum & Galleries blog and read Phoebe's entry here. For further information about the Standards Program visit http://mgnsw.org.au/sector_development/standards_program/
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Other News
NSW Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund opens
Arts NSW has invited applications for the new NSW Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund. This funding initiative is intended to support arts projects that celebrate and promote Aboriginal cultural identities in regional NSW and by doing so, make the rich and diverse Aboriginal cultures of regional NSW more visible and accessible. Grants of up to $3,000 are available for individual professional artists and grants of up to $15,000 are available for organisations. Eligible projects include but are not limited to: workshops, arts activities as part of festivals or events, artist-in-residence programs, public art and design projects, performances, exhibitions, local arts initiatives and professional development. Applications must be consistent with the objectives of the NSW Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Strategy. The closing date for applications is 18 April 2011, with guidelines and application details available online: http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au/?p=5237
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Regional Development Australia Fund announced
Simon Crean, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, has announced that $1 billion in funding has been allocated to a Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) to provide financial grants to support the growth and development of Australia's regions. The RDAF will fund projects that support the infrastructure needs, and will enhance economic and community growth, of Australia's regions. The program funds will maximise outcomes through effective partnerships across levels of government, and the business and non-profit sectors. Regional Development Australia committees will play a key role in identifying projects to be supported by the program. The application form for the Regional Development Australia Fund will be available shortly. Questions about the program should be directed to rdaf@regional.gov.au or the RDAF Infoline on 1800 00 5494. For further information visit http://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf.aspx
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National forum considers future of Australian dance
The Australia Council for the Arts and Ausdance National combined forces in March to present the National Dance Forum in Melbourne. The first event of its kind for many years, the National Dance Forum brought together some of Australia’s most exciting dancers, choreographers, curators, critics and producers in a lively discussion over two days, providing a rare opportunity for the dance sector to consider the state of dance practice in Australia. Topics explored include how to articulate a dance practice, career development, dramaturgy, new media and the digital technologies, hybrid and interdisciplinary practice, dance on film and dance in local communities. “The Australian dance sector is, relatively speaking, quite small, meaning that many artists and companies work in isolation,” said Carin Mistry, Australia Council’s Director of Dance. “But dance is fundamentally a collaborative medium and artists inspire and push each other on. Connecting with other artists across the country and across the world in an event like this helps to avoid the danger of our dance practice becoming insular and complacent.” The forum was set against the backdrop of Dance Massive, a two-week event in Melbourne involving over 200 Australian dance artists in performances and workshops. For further information visit www.ausdance.org.au
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Performing Arts Touring Alliance appoints Executive Officer
Following the launch late last year of its website www.pata.com.au the Performing Arts Touring Alliance has announced that Greg Randall has been appointed as Executive Officer. For the past 11 years Greg has led a team of 25 arts professionals as Director of Programming at the Victorian Arts Centre, delivering a creative, balanced and innovative program throughout the year. His previous experience also includes Director of Sydney's highly regarded Glen Street Theatre, Regional Arts Manager for the South Australian Country Arts Trust and founding Director of Arts on Tour New South Wales. He has served on numerous arts and community management boards and is currently one of the Governors for the Federation of Asian Cultural Promotion. PATA Chair, Suzie Haslehurst said, “Greg’s experience in performing arts touring combined with the great respect he has in the industry is a coup for the entire sector”. His appointment was welcomed by the Australian Performing Arts Centres’ Association (APACA), the Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) and Regional Arts Australia – all members of the Performing Arts Touring Alliance Council.
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Project Reports
Island Sanctuary sculpture erected in Deniliquin
After years and years of fundraising, local Deniliquin resident Pat Eagle is delighted to finally have a life-like sculpture of a Great Egret perched atop the new Island Sanctuary archway in Cressy Street, Deniliquin. For several years original committee members Pat and Mrs Mary Hussey would spend their Saturday mornings sewing calico bird seed pouches. They then sold the pouches locally to raise money for the entrance. With the assistance of South West Arts, the new committee commissioned local artist Debbie Wills to design and sculpt the life-like bird. South West Arts Regional Arts Development Officer Alyce Fisher commented, “It’s fantastic to see years of hard work pay off with the new entrance way and sculpture for the whole community to enjoy”. For further information please contact South West Arts: Tel 03 5881 7749
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New Resources
Seeded - Great Arts and Health Stories
In March Regional Arts Australia launched its latest publication Seeded – Great Arts and Health Stories Grown in Regional Australia. Seeded is a continuation of a series of publications by Regional Arts Australia that seek to reveal the depth and breadth of creative activity taking place across regional Australia every day. Importantly, Seeded highlights a key developing stream in regional arts – the intersection between the arts and the world of healthcare. “As you read through the pages of Seeded you will see incredible examples of how arts and health can work collaboratively in support of each others goals,” said President of Regional Arts Australia, Julie Boyd. Writer Moya Sayer-Jones has compiled the stories from conversations she has had with project participants and instigators all over the country. Two NSW projects are featured in the publication: Albury Wodonga's Dis/assemble Dance Project and the Central West's Weaving Wellbeing. Seeded can be ordered in hardcopy format or downloaded from the Regional Arts Australia website at www.regionalarts.com.au
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Artscareer.com.au
In March the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) officially announced the launch of Artscareer, a brand new, independent, non-commercial, online portal dedicated to the career development of artists and arts educators across all disciplines including dance, drama, inter-arts, literature, media, music and the visual arts. The new site offers extensive listings of resources, opportunities and upcoming events to help artists with their career development, as well as the latest news from across the sector. Check out Artscareer at www.artscareer.com.au and sign-up for the free bi-monthly e-news.
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Seminars, Workshops + Training
Visual Arts Workshops for Central Western Aboriginal Artists
31 March - 2 April, Parkes
2 - 4 May, Cowra
5 - 7 May, Dubbo
Arts OutWest has announced a series of free visual art workshops especially for Aboriginal artists of the Central West. The workshops are open to all Aboriginal visual artists in the region and will combine art-making alongside skills development for selling artwork on the professional market. The sessions are part of a large regional Aboriginal arts program that will culminate in a community gathering, performance and exhibition in Bathurst in July. Workshop facilitator Sean Cassidy says the three-day workshops will have an informal feel but address important skills for Aboriginal artists wanting to take their work to the next level: “Whilst working on art making techniques we’ll also look at topics like choosing good materials to work with, how to approach galleries, pricing your work and commissions. I’m also keen to help participants gain confidence in talking about their artwork, bringing the story or meaning out when explaining it to others.” All workshops are free but bookings are encouraged. To book your place, or if you need assistance travelling to a workshop, please call Arts OutWest on 02 6338 4657.
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Arts NSW & Australia Council Grants Information Sessions
6 April, Nowra
8 April, Cessnock
12 April, Dubbo
13 April, Armidale
14 April, Broken Hill
15 April, Wagga Wagga
Arts NSW and the Australia Council for the Arts will conduct a series of free grant information sessions in April. Representatives from Arts NSW and the Australia Council will be travelling to regional centres around NSW to meet artists and arts organisations to share information on funding opportunities. Sessions run for about two hours and offer an overview of Arts NSW and the Australia Council; information about types of grants available; examples of successful projects; tips for a successful application; further resources; and questions and answers. For session location details and to register your attendance please phone Arts NSW on 02 9228 4351. Please note RSVPs are essential.
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Community Music Conference
10 April, Bathurst
Music in Communities Network presents an opportunity to meet with music leaders from across the Bathurst region. This is a great opportunity to meet with the Network, share successes and to seek assistance and advice on any challenges. An outcome of the day will be to identify and provide professional development opportunities for conference participants. Leaders and administrators of community music groups, music therapists, music teachers, those considering starting a music group, local council cultural officers, delegates from cultural centres, conservatoria and music schools, and anyone with a passion for music is welcome to attend. The cost of the conference is $35 for network members and $65 for non members. The conference runs from 4-8pm Sunday 10 April at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, 105 William St, Bathurst. To register your attendance please phone 0416 201 771 or email tony.micn@mca.org.au
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Artist Website Development Workshop
11 April, Albury Wodonga
From 9.30am-1pm on Monday 11 April Murray Arts will host a workshop for artists interested in developing their own website. Topics covered include website types, domain names and hosting accounts, design considerations, site navigation, e-commerce, search engine optimisation, and how to attract website traffic. The cost of the workshop is $20 and each participant will receive a workshop kit. Any artist who has attended a previous Artist Business workshop, or any professional visual artist wishing to develop their own website, is invited to attend. To register your interest please contact Melinda Martin at the Australia Business Arts Foundation: Tel 03 9616 0306, Email melinda.martin@abaf.org.au
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Public Art Workshops with Pamille Berg
15 April, Albury: Local Government Staff Workshop
Pamille Berg has 28 years of experience in initiating both large and small scale public art programs in Australia and overseas. From 9.30am-3.30pm on Friday 15 April she will conduct a free workshop for local government employees and interested Councillors providing a detailed overview of the procedures required for an effective, risk managed public art policy or strategy. Bookings are essential via Murray Arts: Tel 02 6021 5034, Email vnaimo@murrayarts.org.au
16 April, Wodonga: Artist Workshop Designed for artists in the region who are preparing to respond to possible commissioning under newly adopted public art policies and strategies from Councils across the Murray Arts region, this free workshop with Pamille Berg will cover key public art issues for artists, ranging from how to design a budget for a site-specific work of art and how to understand a commission contract, to artists’ insurance, intellectual property and moral rights in commissions, maintenance issues, risk management and more. From 9.30am-3.30pm on Saturday 16 April. Bookings are essential via Murray Arts: Tel 02 6021 5034, Email vnaimo@murrayarts.org.au
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Place, Space & Identity: New Directions for NSW Museums
18 - 19 April, Sydney
Museums Australia (NSW) invites you to Sydney for the symposium Place, Space,& Identity: New Directions for NSW Museums at Macquarie University from 18-19 April 2011. The symposium will explore new directions and opportunities for museums and galleries in New South Wales, following the publication of the Watts report on Museums and Galleries NSW in 2010 and coinciding with the development of a new strategic plan for visual arts and museum sectors in NSW by Arts NSW in 2011. For further information or to register for the symposium please visit www.museumsaustralia.org.au
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Words from the Dust Workshop Series
28 - 29 April, Condobolin
2 - 3 May, Forbes
4 - 5 May, Grenfell
6 - 7 May, Cowra
9 - 10 May, Blayney
11 - 12 May, Orange
A series of writing workshops for older Australians (over 50) supported by the Central West Writers’ Centre through a Positive Ageing Grant from the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care will be held across the Central West in April and May, with the aim of capturing participants'
feelings about life on the land through storytelling. Titled Words from the Dust, the project will facilitate the sharing of experiences across regional communities, as well as record life stories of importance for other Australians. For workshop details please contact the Central West Writers' Centre on 02 6393 8125.
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Flying Fruit Fly Circus | National Circus Training Project
4 - 15 July, Albury
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus (FFFC) is now calling for enrolments for its National Circus Training Project, taking place from 4-15 July at FFFC's fantastic new training centre in Albury. The course is aimed at those with some existing circus skills and participants will cover a variety of circus disciplines, with an emphasis on advancing current skills and routines. The camp will introduce participants to new aspects of training and identify areas of their
practice that are ripe for development. The cost of the two-week training course is $1,250 plus GST. Expressions of interest close 13 June 2011 and should be directed to info@fruitflycircus.com.au
Closing 1 June 2011
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5th World Summit on Arts and Culture
3 - 6 October, Melbourne
The International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) is pleased to announce that online registration for the 5th World Summit on Arts and Culture is now available at www.artsummit.org.
Jointly hosted by the Australia Council for the Arts and IFACCA, in partnership with Arts Victoria, the 5th World Summit will explore the theme Creative Intersections. Preliminary details of the program and speakers will be announced in April and the website will be constantly updated between now and October with further information. The cultural program for the World Summit will be arranged by Melbourne Festival, with the support of Arts Victoria, under the artistic direction of Brett Sheehy. Included in the delegate registration fee is a ticket to one of Melbourne Festival’s preview events as well as a discount to the Melbourne Festival Opening Night Party. Applications for bursary assistance should be made by 15 April, with all details available from the ‘fees’ page of the Summit website.
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Glass Beadmaking Workshops
Fridays, Byron Bay
Vetro e Metallo has established a reputation in the Northern Rivers as a creative learning centre of excellence, with several hundred graduates-cum-ambassadors from their affordable, intensive one-day lampwork glass, kiln glass and jewellery metalcraft classes. Glass beadmaking classes are held each Friday and cost $200 including all materials. At the end of the day students wear away the new jewellery they have made, the value of which more than covers the cost of the class. Lampwork glass kits are also available for purchase so students can set up their own workshop at home (10% discount if purchased on the workshop day). Free demonstrations can be viewed at Cavanbah Arcade (next to Byron Bay Hat Shop), beach end Jonson Street from Thursday to Sunday evenings from 5.30pm until 9.30pm. Workshops take place at the Arts & Industry Estate, 4/102 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay. Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Wendy Lees on 0410 116 347. For further information please visit www.vetroemetallo.com.au
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Opportunities
Moorambilla Voices Audition Tour
28 March - 8 April, Regional NSW
Moorambilla Voices offers children from regional and remote communities the opportunity to experience choral music making with leading professional musicians and composers. From 28 March to 8 April Artistic Director Michelle Leonard will visit schools across central NSW, delivering specialist music workshops to over 2,500 children.
From these free workshops 200 children will be selected to participate in the annual
program, which consists of residential camps and performances at the Moorambilla
Festival in Coonamble in September. The children work with professional composers and perform
original music with ensembles Taikoz, Sydney Youth Orchestra, Sydney Brass and
many more. For audition dates and locations please visit http://www.moorambilla.com/
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Next Wave Festival
Next Wave is now calling for art proposals that respond in interesting, unexpected and complex ways to the 2012 Next Wave Festival theme 'the space between us wants to sing'. Young and emerging artists, curators, producers, collectives, directors and writers from across Australia are encouraged to apply. The majority of people involved in the proposed project must be 30 years or under as of 1 January 2011. Next Wave is seeking brave new ideas for projects in and across the visual arts, dance, performance, new media, text, and sound disciplines. People living outside Melbourne (where the Festival will take place) are encouraged to apply, as are Indigenous artists. Application packs are available online: http://inside.nextwave.org.au/news/call-out-2012-next-wave-festival-projects
Closing 15 April 2011
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Southern Highlands Art Studio Trail
Wingecarribee Shire Council is calling for expressions of interest from studios and artists to participate in the 2011 Southern Highlands Art Studio Trail. The Art Studio Trail will run across the Shire during the first three weekends of November as part of the Days of Wine, Arts and Roses Festival. Council’s Cultural Development Officer, Jenny Kena, said the 2011 event had been expanded due to the success of last year’s Trail. “We’ve added an extra weekend to the Art Studio Trail to allow patrons the opportunity to spend more time at each studio,” she said. Last year each studio averaged more than 100 visits during the program. Northern-based studios will open for the first and second weekend of the event whilst southern-based studios will open on the second and third weekends. Participating artists and studios must be located in the Wingecarribee Shire. To submit an expression of interest visit http://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/community/3283/5860.html.
Closing 27 April 2011
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Colourfest Film Festival
Colourfest is Australia’s first national short film festival exclusively dedicated to the works of culturally diverse Australian filmmakers. Whether your film is fictional, documentary or experimental, Colourfest offers a pathway for you to share your work with an audience and engage with industry professionals.
The two categories for entry are: films under 20 mins, produced in the last two years by an Australian resident of culturally diverse background (writer, director or producer) or starring a lead actor or actress from a culturally diverse background; and films under 20 mins produced prior to 2008 by an Australian resident of culturally diverse background (writer, director or producer) or starring a lead actor or actress from a culturally diverse background. Guidelines and entry details online: www.colourfest.com.au
Closing 28 April 2011
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Splendid Arts Lab
Splendid brings together knowledge and creative professionals from performance, public art, visual arts, architecture, design and digital technology to explore the ways that art can transform a public space and break open new possibilities for audience experience. Organisers are calling out for creatives of all stripes to participate in the 2011 Splendid Arts Lab. You must be a young and emerging artist – a practitioner under 30, or in the first 5 years of your practice. Successful applicants will attend a three week residential Arts Lab from Monday 25 July to Friday 12 August 2011. They will also participate in artist talks and a festival symposium, receive free tickets to Splendour in the Grass 2011, and have the opportunity to submit a proposal for a new work to be commissioned for Splendour in the Grass 2012. Participants will be given a fee to cover accommodation, travel and incidentals. Guidelines and application details online: http://www.splendid.org.au/our_program_call_out.shtml
Closing 2 May 2011
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Another Door Opens Exhibition
Buckingham House Social Centre in Surry Hills, Sydney is calling for works from artists with a lived experience of mental health issues. The Another Door Opens exhibition was created to positively express that whatever adversity is encountered another door opens. This exhibition is presented once every two years and offers artists an opportunity to gain experience in showing their work. Artists who are over 18 years with a lived experience of mental health issues are invited to submit works. The exhibition opening will take place 6-8.30pm on Thursday 12 May at Buckingham House, 45 Buckingham St, Surry Hills. RSVP to the opening is essential by Friday 29 April to Bethany Marshall: Tel 02 9690 8983, Email bethany.m@pra.org.au. Artists wishing to submit works for the exhibition can also contact Bethany for an application form.
Closing 5 May 2011
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Centre for Contemporary Photography
Victoria's Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP) is currently accepting proposals from artists, collectives and curators for exhibitions in 2012. CCP welcomes proposals for new and ambitious projects that critically engage with photo-based practice from Australian and international artists. Exhibitions in CCP’s five spaces change approximately every seven or eight weeks and feature the work of local, interstate, and international artists. Proposals are accepted from artists and curators and are limited to one per applicant, per year. Proposals are considered by an exhibition advisory committee that includes CCP Director, CCP General Manager, CCP Managing Curator, CCP Associate Curator, a representative from CCP’s Board of Management as well as two independent artists or curators. Exhibition proposal guidelines online: http://www.ccp.org.au/proposals.php
Closing 6 May 2011
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Cabaret 360 Auditions
24 - 25 May, Uki
Cabaret 360 presents the best of the performing arts – physical theatre, dance, circus, comedy, performance poetry, costume, music, the unique and the bizarre – from all over the Tweed Valley and beyond. After two sell-out years, the event is back on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June 2011 at the Uki Hall, Uki. Hamilton Barnett who brings his artistic vision, professional production values and a passion to showcase the performing arts directs the show. Hamilton will be conducting auditions for the 2011 show on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 May. Those interested in auditioning are invited to contact Hamilton by email at cabaret360@gmail.com. Original contemporary pieces will be given priority.
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Screen It 2011
Registrations are now open for Screen It 2011, the national competition for school-aged filmmakers run annually by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). This year's theme, 'respect', provides a valuable trigger for students and teachers to investigate topical issues while learning filmmaking techniques along the way. The competition is open to anyone enrolled in primary or secondary education and students can enter through their school or independently. Entries can be live-action films, computer games or animations, but must incorporate the theme. ACMI's Screen Education Manager, Brett McLennan, says that ACMI is fostering both a new generation of young filmmakers and respectful citizens through Screen It. "Screen It aims to support the next generation of creative, innovative students who are able to produce and manipulate digital media in powerful and evocative ways," he said. Registration is completely free and can be made online at www.acmi.net.au/screenit
Closing 16 September 2011
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Employment
Australia Council for the Arts | Assistant Program Officer - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Arts
The Australia Council for the Arts is seeking an Assistant Program Officer – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Arts. This is a full-time non-ongoing (three months) Indigenous position based in Surry Hills, Sydney. The successful applicant will facilitate the implementation of an Indigenous Arts Strategy and will be expected to work with a range of stakeholders within the arts, government and industry. The role involves processing and analysing grant applications and funding, communicating with existing and potential grant applicants and a range of other stakeholders to provide accurate and current information and guidance, and working in partnership with managers to identify issues and draft reports and recommendations for Board consideration. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management processes, providing excellent client service and have a fundamental understanding of grants processes and funding opportunities in the arts sector of Australia. For application details please visit http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/about_us/employment
Closing 4 April 2011
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Arts North West | Regional Touring Coordinator
Arts North West, a not for profit Regional Arts Board, has secured two year funding for the part-time position of Regional Touring Coordinator. The Coordinator will be responsible for assisting New England North West Performing Arts Touring Network (NENWPATN) venues with the improved coordination of performing arts touring in the New England North West of NSW. Answering to the Regional Arts Development Officer (RADO), the successful applicant’s duties will include weekly liaison with RADO and NENWPATN venues to provide effective development, delivery and coordination of touring productions to the NENW region of NSW; organising and overseeing marketing campaigns for annual programs for each participating venue; coordinating regional tours and meetings that occur within the NENWPATN area; managing online marketing in liaison with Arts North West and NENWPATN representatives; and creating strategies to generate and build audiences in the NENW region. For a full position description and selection criteria please contact Arts North West: Tel 02 6732 4988, Email office@artsnw.com.au
Closing 8 April 2011
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Outback Theatre for Young People | Creative Producer
Based in the rural centre of Deniliquin, Outback Theatre for Young People (OTYP) is one of this country’s most innovative youth theatre companies, engaging rural and regional youth in collaborative, generative theatre projects that celebrate their lives and their aspirations. OTYP is now seeking a dynamic, creative, self-motivated individual who can balance financial responsibility with artistic vision and is equal to the challenge of administration, for the position of Creative Producer. This is an opportunity to head an innovative arts organisation, managing operations, shaping the artistic direction and developing the future of the company. This is an exciting time to join OTYP, with the organisation benefiting from an Australia Council Geek in Resident Grant, allowing the Creative Producer to work directly with an IT/digital art specialist. For a position description please email Suzanne Hauser at suzannehauser@outbacktheatre.com
Closing 11 April 2011
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Saltwater Freshwater | Community Engagement Officer
Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance is seeking a motivated Aboriginal person who is able to self-manage, multi task and liaise with a variety of stakeholders to fill the position of Community Engagement Officer. Based in Coffs Harbour the Community Engagement Officer will work at a community level, liaising between the ten local Aboriginal communities between Karuah and Coffs Harbour and the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance team. They will ensure that there is local level involvement in the development and implementation of the Saltwater Freshwater Arts strategy and the delivery of projects, such as the Saltwater Freshwater Festival, art skills development workshops and cultural camps. The successful applicant will have excellent communication and project management skills, with the ability to work independently, knowledge of Aboriginal arts and cultural practice and experience working with Aboriginal communities and be able to liaise with youth and Elders. Applicants are invited to send a CV and letter of application to alison@saltwaterfreshwater.com.au. For further information please phone 02 6658 1315.
Closing 21 April 2011
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Grants, Fellowships + Residencies
Youth Participation Grants Program
The Youth Participation Grants Program gives young people the power and resources to develop and implement community activities in their local area. A selection panel will award grants of up to $3,300 to young people who can demonstrate that their project benefits the community in some way; the idea for the project has come from young people; the application has been created by young people; and that their project will increase community interaction. If you are aged between 9 and 18 years, and living in NSW, you are eligible to apply. Guidelines and application details online: http://www.yapa.org.au/yapa/ypgp/
Closing 10 April 2011
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Arts NSW Grants
Closing 11 April: NSW Premier's History Awards The following awards are offered, each worth $15,000: The Australian History Prize, The General History Prize, The NSW Community and Regional History Prize, The Young People's History Prize, The Multimedia History Prize. More
Closing 18 April: Rex Cramphorn Theatre Scholarship Worth $30,000, this biennial scholarship is designed to assist professional theatre artists who have completed a body of work that suggests an inquiring mind and an original voice. More
Closing 18 April: Women and Arts Fellowship Worth $30,000, this biennial fellowship was established as a result of the Women and Arts Festival in 1982. It is given to a woman to assist her professional development as an artist. More
Closing 2 May: Project Funding - Quick Response Support for individuals and the small to medium sector towards national and international professional development opportunities. More
Closing 30 May: Arts Funding Program - Program Funding Open to organisations to fund the costs of delivering the principal artistic program and can include salaries and professional fees, administration and office-related expenditure and annual production costs. More
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Australia Council for the Arts Grants
Closing 18 April: Independent Producers Initiative Funds are available for independent producers to develop their business model via touring and professional development. More
Closing 2 May: Inter-Arts - Residencies Residencies for artists creating work through interdisciplinary and hybrid arts. More
Closing 5 May: Music - Program Funding for organisations with a track record of achievement in presentation, service delivery, youth training or other relevant areas. More
Closing 6 May: International Performing Arts Markets Travel Fund Supports Australian participation at key international performing arts markets. More
Closing 17 May: Literature - New Work Assists in the creation of new work by developing and established Australian writers and picture book illustrators. More
Closing 17 May: Literature - New Work - Digital and New Media Writing Assists Australian writers and illustrators working in the digital space to create digital and/or new media works with a literary focus. More
Closing 17 May: Literature - Writers' Emeritus Award Acknowledges the achievements of eminent literary writers over the age of 65 who have made outstanding and lifelong contributions to Australian literature. More
Closing 17 May: Literature - Fellowships Supports excellence in Australian literature by providing highly accomplished literary writers with financial support for two years to enable them to create new work. More
Closing 25 May: Community Partnerships - Projects with Public Outcomes Funding for for one-off community arts and cultural development projects that have a public outcome and involve collaborations with a range of cross-sectoral partners. More
Closing 25 May: Community Partnerships - Professional Development Funding for individual artists and arts workers to build their professional capacity as community arts and cultural development workers. More
Closing 25 May: Community Partnerships - Projects Supports one-off community arts and cultural development projects that involve a range of collaborating partners. More
Closing 25 May: Community Partnerships - Creative Producer Offered to individual producers to deliver community arts and cultural development projects, which engage artists and communities in the creation and presentation of new artistic works. More
Closing 25 May: Community Partnerships - Kirk Robson Awards Recognises leadership among young community arts and culture practitioners. More
Closing 25 May: Community Partnerships - Ros Bower Award Honours an artsworker or artist with a proven record of high achievement in the field of community cultural development. More
Closing 25 May: Community Partnerships - Program Support for significant community arts and cultural development programs, targeting a variety of different groups and engaging a number of cross-sectoral partners. More
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M&G NSW Regional Fellowships and Mentorships
With devolved funding from Arts NSW, M&G NSW are providing a range of Mentorships and Fellowships for regional museum and gallery staff to expand their experience within the sector. M&G NSW can match successful applicants with an institution or applicants can arrange their own placement. The grants cover costs associated with travel, accommodation and incidentals. Applicants can choose to undertake a placement within Australia (Mentorships) or the Asia Pacific (Fellowships). Mentorships are valued at up to $2,500 and Fellowships are valued at up to $5,000. For further information and an application form intending applicants should contact Suzanne Bravery, General Manager Programs & Services, M&G NSW: Tel 02 9358 1760 or 1800 114 311 (regional areas freecall only), Email suzanneb@mgnsw.org.au
Closing 2 May 2011
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Screen NSW | Industry Development Grants
Grants of up to $10,000 are available to screen-based organisations that provide opportunities for audiences to see and experience quality screen content and innovative practice, and that create professional development opportunities for screen practitioners throughout their career paths. Available for single purpose (project) or multi-purpose (multi-year) funding. Guidelines and application details online: http://screen.nsw.gov.au/index.php?page_id=26
Closing 6 May 2011
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National Library of Australia | Community Heritage Grants
The Community Heritage Grants program provides grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations such as libraries, archives, museums, genealogical and historical societies, multicultural and Indigenous groups. The grants are provided to assist with the preservation of locally owned, but nationally significant collections of materials that are publicly accessible including artifacts, letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and audio visual material. Guidelines and application details online: http://www.nla.gov.au/chg/
Closing 6 May 2011
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NAVA Grants
Closing 15 May: Janet Holmes à Court Artists Grant Designed to provide financial assistance to professional artists for the public presentation of their work, these grants offer $500 to individuals and $1,000 to groups. More
Closing 15 May: Marketing Grant for NSW Artists This grant program aims 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. Grants of up to $1,250 are available to individuals and grants of up to $2,500 are available to groups. More
Closing 28 May: Windmill Trust Scholarship for Regional NSW Artists In memory of Penny Meagher, artist and former Director of the Macquarie Galleries, a scholarship of up to $5,000 is awarded annually to a professional regional artist working broadly in the areas of painting, printmaking, sculpture or drawing. More
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NAB Schools First
Presented by NAB in partnership with the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), NAB Schools First is a national awards program bringing together students, teachers, parents and community members to help young people grow. It provides financial recognition of success in establishing effective school-community partnerships as well as financial support to build stronger school-community partnerships. In its first two years, 195 school-community partnerships have benefited from NAB Schools First with over $10 million in funding provided to enhance and develop these school-community partnerships. Any school in Australia can apply for a NAB Schools First Award. There are three award categories: Student Awards (closing 27 May 2011), Impact Awards, and Seed Funding Awards (both closing 29 July 2011). Guidelines and application details online: www.schoolsfirst.edu.au
Closing 27 May 2011
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Ian Potter Cultural Trust
The Ian Potter Cultural Trust seeks to encourage the diversity and excellence of emerging artists in Australia. The Trust makes grants of up to $7,000 to early career artists practising in a wide range of disciplines within the arts, including the performing and visual arts, crafts, music, the media, literature, design, community arts and other areas. The Trust was established by The Ian Potter Foundation in 1993 to enable individual artists of exceptional talent to be given support to undertake professional development overseas, including postgraduate study. Guidelines and application details online: http://culturaltrust.ianpotter.org.au
Closing 30 May 2011
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Awards + Prizes
AWGIE Awards
The Australian Writers’ Guild is calling for entries for the 44th Annual AWGIE Awards. These prestigious accolades are the only peer-assessed awards for scriptwriters in Australia and are judged purely on the original script rather than the final produced work. In addition to the AWGIE categories over $100,000 in special prizes and fellowships are presented annually. These include the $30,000 Kit Denton Fellowship rewarding courage and excellence in performance writing, the $25,000 FOXTEL Fellowship recognising an outstanding body of work and the $15,000 John Hinde Award for Science Fiction. The recipient of the Major AWGIE, for Outstanding Australian Script of the Year, also receives the $10,000 Peer Recognition Prize. Emerging talent is recognised with the Short Form and Long Form Monte Miller Awards for unproduced scripts by an associate member of the Guild and are open to all areas of performance writing. Guidelines and entry details online: http://www.awg.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=368&Itemid=495
Closing 8 April 2011 (Monte Miller categories) and 29 April 2011
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Muswellbrook Open Art Prize
Sponsored by Bengalla Mining Company Pty Limited, the Muswellbrook Open Art Prize is one of the most well known, prestigious and enduring art prizes in Australia. Entries for the 2011 Prize are invited in three categories: the $20,000 Acquisitive Open Prize for a two dimensional painting of any subject in any medium; the $5,000 Acquisitive Open Prize for a work on paper of any subject, in any medium excluding photography; and the $5,000 Acquisitive Open Prize for a ceramic work of any subject. Winning works will join the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection housed at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. Guidelines and entry details online: http://www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Muswellbrook-regional-arts-centre/1021-exp100711.htm
Closing 15 April 2011
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Murrurundi Art Prize
The Murrurundi Arts Council invites entries to the inaugural Murrurundi Art Prize, a new competition for local artists only. “We really want to thank the community for their generous sponsorship of the event," said Mandy Archibald, President of Murrurundi Arts Council. “We have just over $3,000 prize money that will be distributed between the winners of each section." There are eight entry categories including two sections for under-18 and open categories in oils and acrylics, pastels and watercolours, as well as fibre and textiles. Entries will only be accepted from artists residing in the following postcodes: 2333, 2336, 2328, 2329, 2337, 2338, 2339 and 2343. All entries will be displayed at the Murrurundi RSL Hall from 12 to 15 May 2011. Guidelines and entry details online: http://www.murrurundiartprize.com/index.htm
Closing 15 April 2011
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Casella Art Prize
Casella Wines and Griffith Regional Art Gallery invite artists to enter works in the 2011 Casella Art Prize. This
national art prize aims to discover new talent and support established artists within Australia. Artists entering
the 2011 Casella Art Prize are to create an original painted artwork and interpret the theme 'Australia’s built
and natural environment'. Artists will be in the running for the
$5,000 Casella Art Prize for excellence in painting and the $2,500 Riverina Artist Prize. Guidelines and entry details online: http://www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/theatre/page.asp?p=DOC-POB-13-02-37
Closing 20 May 2011
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Boree Log Award for Bush Verse
The Boree Log Award for Bush Verse is presented by the Eastwood/Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers and commemorates the work of Father Patrick Hartigan (1872‐1952), who served twenty-seven years as parish priest at Narrandera. Writing under the pseudonym John O’Brien he published two volumes of poetry: Around the Boree Log in 1921, and, posthumously, The Church at St Mel’s. He is fondly remembered for poems such as ‘Said Hanrahan’ and ‘The Old Bush School’. The Boree Log Award for Bush Verse invites entries of ballads written in perfect rhyme and metre, with a maximum of 80 lines, and an Australian bush theme. First prize is $100 with a trophy and certificate. Guidelines and entry details online: http://hillsfaw.webs.com/competitionsandevents2011.htm
Closing 30 May 2011
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Blake Prize
This year the Blake Prize celebrates its 60th anniversary and looks forward to seeing a continued interest from both artists and audiences in the conversation between spirituality and contemporary art in Australia. Rod Pattenden, Chair of the Blake Society said, “The Blake invites artists to explore their most passionate responses to life and its meanings. We are always surprised at the depth of critical engagement, the level of skill, and the love and delight that sustains many artists in their exploration of the spiritual in Australian culture even when the responses are difficult and prickly”. Three award categories will be made in 2011: the 60th Blake Prize, worth $20,000; the John Coburn Emerging Artist Award, worth $5,000; and the MUA Blake Prize for Human Justice, worth $5,000. Guidelines and application details online: www.blakeprize.com.au
Closing 24 June 2011
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Museums & Galleries National Awards
Museums Australia is proud to announce the inaugural Museums & Galleries National Awards (MAGNAs). The MAGNAs will be open in 2011 to all cultural institutions (member and non-member) in the following categories: Exhibition – a physical or virtual interpreted presentation of materials owned or borrowed by the institution; Public Programs – community development and education projects that promote the institution's vision and collection; Sustainability – any project that promotes sustainable practices including, but not confined to, architecture, collection management, administration, technology and media, energy consumption, and reuse projects. The MAGNAs will be awarded at the MA National Conference, which will take place in Perth this year. Museums Australia also proposes that winning entrants take part in a Masterclass in Canberra the following May to share their knowledge and expertise with the sector. For further information visit http://www.museumsaustralia.org.au/site/magna.php
Closing 1 July 2011
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City of Perth Black Swan Prize for Portraiture
Artrinsic Inc invites entries to the 2011 City of Perth Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. This competition is open to all Australian residents 18 years and over – with a special youth component for High school students in Western Australia. In 2011 the prizes consist of the Lester Group Prize, worth $35,000 (non-acquisitive); the Perrine People's Choice Prize, worth $7,500; and $4,000 worth of youth prizes. Artrinsic Inc look forward to seeing creative and thought provoking portraits created by artists from across Australia. Guidelines and application details online: www.blackswanprize.com.au
Closing 8 July 2011
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Manning Art Prize
The Friends of Manning Regional Art Gallery invite all Australian artists to submit photographs or digital images of one or two works for the biennial Manning Art Prize 2011. There is a category for 2D art in any medium, and a category for 3D art in any medium, excluding installations. Prize monies total $15,000, including the major prize of $10,000. The 2011 judges are Jude McBean, Director of Grafton Regional Gallery, and Sharni Lloyd, Director of the Glasshouse Gallery. Guidelines and entry details online: http://www.fogsmanningvalley.com.au/entry-2011-Art-Prize
Closing 14 August 2011
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What's On
The Knitted Garden in Mathoura
31 March - 14 April, Mathoura
As part of their 2011 Showcase Tour, South West Arts are proud to present highlights of the Griffith Community Project, The Knitted Garden touring to the Mathoura Visitor Information Centre, 23 Moama St, Mathoura, from 31 March to 14 April 2011. The Knitted Garden exhibition was originally shown in the Griffith City Council Art Gallery to coincide with the Festival of the Gardens and Orange Sculptures in October 2010. It began with a vase of flowers which grew into a whole knitted garden in just sixteen months. The knitted work has come together with the help of 106 people, aged from five to nearly 100. The exhibition has already toured to Hillston and Berrigan, and will continue on to Moulamein, Conargo, Hay, Deniliquin, Balranald and Coleambally in coming months. For further information please phone South West Arts on 03 5881 7749.
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The Venetian Twins
1 - 2 and 8 - 10 April, Dubbo
This ‘spaghetti-tangled farce’ bubbles in a fast-paced comedy about a pair of identical twin brothers raised separately; one, a rich but dimwitted merchant, the latter a high-principled gentleman, who wind up in Verona at the same time seeking love and fortune. Mayhem ensues in an hilarious roller coaster ride involving mistaken identity, sword fights, sparkling dialogue and witty one-liners. It’s time to hiss the villain, cheer the heroes and clap along with the zippy and catchy songs and music in this Australian translation of the original Italian comedy by Carlo Goldoni. Performances take place 7.30pm Friday 1 April, 2pm and 7.30pm Saturday 2 April, 7.30pm Friday 8 April, 2pm and 7.30pm Saturday 9 April, and 2pm Sunday 10 April at Dubbo Regional Theatre, 155 Darling St, Dubbo. Tickets are $22-$35 and are available online: http://www.drtcc.com.au/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=41298
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The Little Stevies
9 April, Mullumbimby
Having charmed the world with their 2009 debut album Love Your Band The Little Stevies have upped the ante with their newest offering, Attention Shoppers.
The new album is a break away from the laid-back, folk-influenced style of their first, taking the band's sound into a poppier, slicker and harder-edged territory. Attention Shoppers was released in early March and to kick off their national album tour The Little Stevies will be performing in Mullumbimby at The Mullum Civic Hall on Saturday 9 April. Flying in to Australia to join them on stage is New Zealand’s multi-platinum selling songstress Anika Moa. Tickets are $15 by presale or $22 at the door and are available from
Mullum Books, Barebones Bangalow, All Music & Vision Stores and online at www.kupromotions.oztix.com.au
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Narek Galleries | Poppy Benton
15 April - 31 May, Tanja
It is with great pleasure that Narek Galleries presents the second solo exhibition by far south coast artist Poppy Benton, following the outstanding success of her first solo exhibition Imbue in 2008, a result of Benton receiving the inaugural Far South Coast Living Artist Projects Scholarship in 2007. Working predominantly with porcelain and stoneware, Benton's use of soft natural coloured slips and oxides over concordant, satisfying forms, evokes a sense of early origin. Marks carved into the slip create repeat patterns that seem timeless, ancient yet contemporary, combining a primitive heartbeat with modern wonder. The exhibition runs from 15 April until 31 May, with an opportunity to join the artist for drinks at the Gallery from 5-7pm on Saturday 16 April. At Narek Galleries, 1140 Tathra-Bermagui Rd,
Tanja. For further information visit www.narekgalleries.com
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This month at Cudgegong Gallery
Until 18 April, Gulgong
Walk, Swim, Fly Exploring the plant and animal world, from leaves to frogs, this exhibition is the work of local ceramic artists Rosalie Swords and Pam Welsh and will occupy the Ceramic Focus Group space at the Gallery. Rosalie will present four stylised, earthenware heads that combine thrown and assembled pieces with hand modelled features.
Time for a quiet cuppa This exhibition brings together ceramic artists Kaye Pemberton and Anthony Brink for an exploration into the world of tea. Kaye will display her sets of functional pieces on small items of furniture to set the domestic scene, while Anthony will display a range of simple forms, differentiated in subtle ways by the use of different glazes. At Cudgegong Gallery, 102 Herbert St, Gulgong. For further information visit www.cudgegonggallery.com.au
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Titanomachy
27 - 29 April, Bathurst
A new physical theatre stage work created and directed by Charles Sturt University graduate Adam Deusien will premiere at City Hall in the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre in
late April. Supported by Local Stages, Charles Sturt University and Bathurst Theatre Company, Titanomachy uses the story of the ancient Greek creation myth of the war between the Titans and the Olympians
to exploring how contemporary generations' disconnection from nature has led to current global
environment issues. The story follows Gaea, the Earth goddess, who must help her children restore
balance to the world, or risk losing everything she has fought for over the ages. At 7pm Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 April, and 11am and 6pm Friday 29 April at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, 105 William St, Bathurst. Tickets are $12-$20 and are available online at http://www.bmec.com.au/bmec/
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The Bad Boys of Music Theatre
28 - 29 April, Coffs Harbour
In April Jetty Theatre will kick off Club Cabaret with two time Short and Sweet Cabaret finalists The Bad Boys of Music Theatre with their Comedy Festival hit show, A Fine Bromance. The bromantic couple Tim Ferguson (D.A.A.S) called "The funniest goddamn act in Melbourne – snappier than Deano and Jerry, more lovable than Ernie and Bert..." are letting you be the third wheel for a dirty voyeuristic peek into the world of bromantic comedy! The Bad Boys take to the stage at 8pm on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 April at Jetty Memorial Theatre, 337 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour. Tickets are $20-25 and are available online at www.jettytheatre.com
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Gloucester Writers Festival
30 April - 1 May, Gloucester
Twenty award-winning Australian writers will visit Gloucester on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May for the inaugural Gloucester Writers Festival. Guest writers include Philip Luker, Les Murray, Michael Wilding, Irina Dunn, Julie Ditrich, Jesse Blackadder, James Roy, Jaye Ford, Nick Bleszynski, Anthony Lawrence, Annette Hughes, Geoffrey Datson, Barry Maitland, Erica Hayes and Ross Fitzgerald. Topics for discussion include crime, memoir, young adult fiction, romance, poetry, graphic novels, and creative writing. The weekend will also feature readings, workshops, a short story competition and poetry sprint. The full festival program and ticketing details are available online at www.gloucesterwritersfestival.com. Bookings made by 10 April will receive a 10% early bird discount. For further information please phone 02 6558 1208 or email info@gloucesterwritersfestival.com
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Bathurst Regional Art Gallery | Michael Ramsden
Until 1 May, Bathurst
Michael Ramsden (born 1947) is one of Australia’s leading contemporary landscape artists. This exhibition traces a decade of Ramsden’s images of limpid rivers, scorched hills, rural buildings and secretive creatures. It includes paintings, watercolours and wood-block prints created when he lived in Berlin in the late 1990s as well as his most recent large-scale works from Hill End and Tambaroora, where he is currently based. The exhibition catalogue includes a critical text by award-winning, Rome-based curator Jonathan Turner, who has followed Michael Ramsden's career for more than two decades. At Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, 70-78 Keppel St, Bathurst. For further information please contact the Gallery on 02 6333 6150.
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Breast Wishes
4 - 5 May, Albury
7 - 8 May, Wagga Wagga
11 May, Griffith
13 - 14 May, Bathurst
17 May, Queanbeyan
24 May, Tamworth
Breast Wishes is a new Australian musical about love, life, loss and silicon; a witty and heart-warming journey of courage and determination. Meet four women: sisters Lyn and Carol, Helen and her cousin Sal. Add a fumbling boyfriend, a well meaning husband, a bra fitter who's seen it all, together with a brilliant cast and some show stopping numbers, and you have a sophisticated and hilarious glimpse of cleavage which promises to make your heart sing! Breast Wishes will tour regional NSW throughout May. For performance and ticketing details visit http://www.breastwishes.com.au/tour.asp.
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Stiff Gins
6 May, Mullumbimby
On the verge of their third album release, Stiff Gins Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs have much to celebrate. Eleven years ago, their moniker was reclamation of an offensive reference to Aboriginal women, a banner to guide their music in the direction of strength and pride. Three albums and countless breathtaking shows later, the name has become synonymous with musical excellence. With their new album Wind & Water the Stiff Gins have perfected a sound that honours the raw power of their voices and their history while leading them firmly into the future of Australian music. The Stiff Gins will perform at Mullumbimby Civic Hall on Friday 6 May. Tickets are $17-$20 by presale or $22-$25 at the door and are available from Mullum Books, Barebones Bangalow, All Music & Vision Stores and online at www.kupromotions.oztix.com.au
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Camden Haven Music Festival
6 - 15 May, Greater Port Macquarie and Taree
This admired regional festival has compiled an exciting program to be enjoyed in historic, intimate and ambient venues in the beautiful Camden Haven valley and beyond. From bellydancing and burlesque by Kush Cabaret to a massed choral concert conducted by Dr Jonathon Welch AM (Choir of Hard Knocks), audiences can indulge their love of folk, instrumental, country and early music. Tickets are available, along with the full program of events, from www.chmf.org.au. Companion Care Affiliated. For further information please phone 02 6559 6874 or 0401 608 240, or email chmf@tsn.cc
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Doubt
13 - 15 May, Murwillumbah
Dream Run Theatre Company presents Doubt by John Patrick Shanley for three performances in Murwillumbah in May. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play centres on a parochial middle school in 1964 where a traditionalist nun and Principal suspects that the Priest, Father Flynn, is having an inappropriate relationship with the school’s first black student. Set one year after the assassination of President Kennedy, Doubt focuses on the desperate search for clear-cut answers at a time of profound confusion. Doubt is an eloquent and provocative investigation of truth and consequences. At 7.30 pm on 13 and 14 May and 2pm on 15 May at Murwillumbah Civic Centre, Tumbulgum Rd, Murwillumbah. For ticketing details please visit www.dreamruntheatre.com.au
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Nexus Studio | Anne Atkinson: The Nude
29 May - 24 June, Bellingen
For many years Anne Atkinson has been drawn to the human form in all its power and beauty. In her exhibition The Nude she creates sensitive and challenging compositions where symbolism co-exists with figurative passages and reality rubs shoulders with memories, dreams and subjective experience. From this gloriously rich palette she has developed a language of marks that speak with emotion, awe, reverence and respect. Her exhibition runs from 29 May until 24 June at the Nexus Studio, 1 Doepel Lane, Bellingen. Join the artist from 3-5pm on Sunday 29 May for drinks at the Studio. For further information phone 02 6655 9222.
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Soweto Gospel Choir
17 June, Lismore
Heralded as the most exciting group to emerge in world music in recent years, two-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir returns with a brand new show African Grace. The Choir’s 26 singers, dancers and musicians deliver a flawless performance of traditional and contemporary songs infused with irrepressible spirit. Be uplifted by this joyful spectacular of song and dance. At 8pm Friday 17 June at Lismore City Hall, 1 Bounty St, Lismore. Tickets are $45-$79 and are available online at http://www.norpa.org.au/whats-on/lismore-city-hall/soweto-gospel-choir
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About this e-Bulletin
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Please send us your listing by the specified submission deadline and make it as easy as possible for us to include your material by providing us with an 80-100 word paragraph of text that includes all key details: the title, date, location, description, disability access details, contact details, and a picture.
Anything that will be of interest to artists, arts workers or arts lovers in regional NSW, we'll be glad to include. We reserve the right to edit material and refuse inappropriate material.
Send your listings to newsletter@regionalartsnsw.com.au.
The deadline for the May 2011 e-Bulletin is 25 April 2011.
No repeats – but everything is archived online
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Credits and Thanks
Regional Arts NSW is the peak body for the arts and cultural development in regional and rural New South Wales.
Tel 02 9270 2500
Email info@regionalartsnsw.com.au
Website www.regionalartsnsw.com.au
Regional Arts NSW receives funding from the NSW Government through Arts NSW, the Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund, and the Australia Council for the Arts Community Partnerships.
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disclaimer
The Regional Arts NSW e-Bulletin is provided 'as is' without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Regional Arts New South Wales endeavours to provide accurate material in the e-Bulletin but does not warrant that this material is complete, true, accurate or non-misleading. Regional Arts New South Wales reserves the right to make any changes it deems appropriate at any time. When providing links to external sites, Regional Arts NSW takes no responsibility for the material on these sites. If you find information in this e-Bulletin that you believe to be inaccurate, please help us correct it by referring the information to admin@regionalartsnsw.com.au.
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