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Three months in the life of a RADO

An example from the Mid North Coast

This is an extract from a quarterly report by Richard Holloway, RADO for the Mid North Coast, covering the period from 22 February to 15 May 2002.

It gives a good example of the kinds of projects a RADO may have on the boil at any one time. Richard reports against the 'primary roles' determined in the Mid North Coast Regional Arts Board's strategic plan.

Primary Role One: Access

Work-for-the-Dole Public Art Project $27,600 has been raised towards this 26 week project that will be implemented at the Coffs Harbour TAFE and installed on a high profile wall at the entrance to the City Pool. A very time consuming project to develop, particularly with the additional hurdle of a lack of public liability insurance. We have negotiated with Coffs Harbour City Council to sponsor the project, now scheduled to start on the 27th May. Council will receive the funding and we will manage the project on their behalf.

Artstart Regional Forum An Artstart Regional Forum for the Mid North Coast and the Far North Coast was developed and implemented at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus on March 1st. The program showcased a number of Artstart funded projects, evaluated the regional program and developed a series of recommendations regarding the development of Youth and Arts in the region.

Tropfest 5-6 April 2002 Arts Mid North Coast worked in conjunction with the Coffs Harbour Film Committee and the Coffs Harbour Education Campus, to attract 2 screenings of the 16 finalists of the Tropfest Short Film Festival. The director and the producer of the Tropfest winner, 'Murbah Swamp Beer' were guest speakers. The screening was also used as a platform for the promotion of the Cool Bananas Film Festival and the Dorrigo Documentary Film Festival. Feedback on the two screenings was excellent.

Youth Arts Council Pilot Project This project, funded by the Regional Arts Fund and co-ordinated by consultant Christy Lavers is continuing to develop, to gather momentum and to attract funding. After only three meetings of the newly appointed youth arts council committee, a website has been developed, the Council has attracted $3000 for the funding of an aerosol art mural and is in the process of developing a submission through the Foundation for Young Australians. The group is currently meeting fortnightly.

Country Arts Support Program projects Our approach this year was to generate applications to the number commensurate with the funding available. A total of $10,912 was distributed to 20 projects across the region. A significant amount of lobbying has been implemented by the state network to try and increase this important small grants program for 2003.

Taree Local Government Indigenous Conference 21-22 March This event was attended by the RADO and RICO. The RADO chaired a panel session on Indigenous Arts and Community Development and the RICO developed and delivered a paper.

Women on Wheels Tour Arts Mid North Coast has provided advice and support to the NSW Dept for Women on their upcoming tour. The project is a promotional and consultative process in combination with the screening of women's films in various centres across the region. We have also recommended one of our previous employees for a role in documenting the project on film.

Primary Role Two: Advocacy

Marketing Consultant for the Old Butter Factory Bellingen: Arts Mid North Coast has supported a move by Bellingen NOW to attract funding through the NSW Dept of State and Regional Development to employ a marketing consultant for the Old Butter Factory in Bellingen.

Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium A bid to assist the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium access $135,000 through the Department of Education and Training has been fully supported and will continue. The funding will allow the Conservatorium to relocate from its current inadequate premises in Earl Street to a more appropriate location in North Coffs.

Dorrigo Documentary Film Festival A large amount of support, advice, assistance and consultancy services have been provided to the co-ordinator of this unique event, scheduled for June 7 - 10. Mark has been assisted in attracting $15,000 through State and Regional Development, assisted with an application through the Federal Stronger Families and Communities Program (pending), generating sponsorship and assistance with promotions. Our Information/Communication Officer, Russell Stockley has also developed a website for the event.

Drama Wilderness Project A further application has been developed with assistance from Arts Mid North Coast through the Federal Stronger Families and Communities Program (result pending).

Wheels in Motion An application was supported through the first round of Festivals Australia Program for the development of a public art piece, constructed out of car parts, for the Taree Wheels in Motion Festival. This is part of a larger strategy to link arts based components to existing events and festivals.

Tourism NSW Rep for the AMNC Board Ms Jane Morgan, Executive Officer for the Regional Tourism Board has been formally invited to join the Board of Arts Mid North Coast.

Nambucca 'Living in Harmony' Project Arts Mid North Coast has provided support, advice and assistance to the co-ordinator of this project which aims to build bridges between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities of the area. The project will culminate in a cross-cultural camp to be held at the Scotts Head Camp.

Taree City Council annual visual and performing arts awards The RADO was a judge at these annual awards at Taree Council on the 6 May.

Primary Role Three: Infrastructure

Gazette Theatre Dorrigo Arts Mid North Coast has provided support, advice and assistance to the committee of the Dorrigo Dramatic Club in the preparation of their application to the NSW Ministry for the Arts Capital Infrastructure Program. Their proposal involves a raft of changes and upgrading of this very well used and productive Theatre in Dorrigo.

Morgo Street Trust Stage Arts Mid North Coast has provided support, advice and assistance to the committee of the Morgo Street Trust in the preparation of their application to the NSW Ministry for the Arts Capital Infrastructure Program. Their proposal involves the construction of an outdoor amphitheatre and stage on the Morgo Street Trust grounds in Urunga. It is anticipated that the venue will provide an increase in arts related activity in the seaboard area of the Bellingen Shire.

Nambucca Entertainment Centre Arts Mid North Coast has worked in conjunction with Nambucca Shire Council and the Nambucca Entertainment Centre Committee in assessing the feasibility of an application to the Ministry for the Arts Capital Infrastructure Program for the repairs to the roof of this important facility in Nambucca Heads. The final recommendation has been to develop a more substantial application next year that includes a new lighting and sound system and an upgrade of backstage facilities. This application will subject to the Nambucca Shire Council allocating the dollar-for-dollar component in next year's budget.

Valley Community Arts Proposal A partnership funding proposal lodged through the ACC and the NSW Dept of State and Regional Development for $20,000 to undertake a professional feasibility study regarding this proposal is still pending.

Manning Entertainment Centre Fly Tower Arts Mid North Coast is supporting an application to the NSW Ministry for the Arts Capital Infrastructure Program for a further $100,000 to enable the construction of a Fly Tower for this facility in the Taree LGA.

Odd Fellows Hall, Kempsey Arts Mid North Coast is working with Kempsey Shire Council on an application to the Ministry for the Arts Capital Infrastructure Program and the Heritage Office to match the $15,000 from the Macleay Valley Arts Council for this facility, one of the oldest public halls in the LGA. The facility will be owned and used by the Macleay Valley Arts Council for a number of arts based purposes.

Laurieton Church, Hastings Arts Mid North Coast is working with Hastings Council and the community of Laurieton to attract funding and Church support so that this facility can be returned to the local community as an arts based venue.

ABC Studios Kempsey: A significant amount of work has already been undertaken in an attempt to acquire this facility as a centre for Regional Indigenous Cultural Development, particularly music and broadcasting. The Hon Mark Vaile, Fed member for Lyne has been engaged and sought advice through Senator Alston on a process for acquiring the facility. The project has also been discussed with Mr Michael Goss from the NSW Ministry and the property manager for the ABC, Mr Kym Martin. A partnership arrangement is proposed and we have a further face to face meeting with Mr Vaile in Taree later this month.

Bellingen Memorial Hall Regional Solutions application is still pending.

Arts Mid North Coast Wauchope Office The lease has been signed and a few alterations are being undertaken to cater for the needs of our RICO.

Regional Gallery Directors' Network Meeting Quarterly meeting convened by Arts Mid North Coast, has been broadened to include Maitland, Lismore and the Tweed Regional Galleries. Maisy Stapleton, CEO of the NSW Museums and Galleries Foundation will be guest speaker in June.

Primary Role Four: Communication and Marketing

Mosaic Mural Launch, Dorrigo and Scotts Head 22 March The final works associated with this Regional Arts Fund project wer officially launched by the Hon Luke Hartsuyker, Federal Member for Cowper on the 22 March. Both launches were well attended and feedback regarding the works has all been extremely positive.

Collaborative Arts Marketing Project Brian Peddie has undertaken numerous consultations across the region for this project which aims at developing a collaborative approach to marketing for the arts based sector. Brian will now produce a generic 'shell' or kit to assist groups across the region to market more collaboratively and effectively.

ABC Regional Radio Arts Slot As a result of the AMNC E-Bulletin, we have been approached to provide an arts segment every fortnight for ABC Regional Radio. The first of these was delivered on the 8 May.

Press Releases Press releases and radio talk-back segments were undertaken to promote the issues associated with public liability for the arts and cultural sector. Press releases were prepared to promote CASP and the Youth Arts Council project, specifically to attract young people to an LGA Youth and Arts Forum, held at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus on the 6 April.

Flicks In the Sticks 27 April The NSW Regional Cinema Conference was held at the Bellingen Memorial Hall on Saturday 27 April. The event was promoted on behalf of the NSW Film and Television Office and a phone interview undertaken with ABC Regional on the following Sunday.

Liquid Dreaming A process involving the projection of film onto a water screen was presented to key community members at the Coffs Harbour Pet Porpoise Pool. The presentation - a partnership between Arts Mid North Coast, the Coffs Pet Porpoise Pool and 2Chyfm - was designed to showcase this innovative and creative process and its application for festivals, events and promotions. Commercial interest has already been generated in the concept.

ArtReach article A 600 word article with visuals was prepared for the state regional arts quarterly mag, ArtReach, June edition .

Primary Role Five: Development

Public Liability Insurance: This extremely exacting and stressful issue has left our sector without adequate and affordable public liability cover for a period of over four months. A large amount of work has been undertaken by Regional Arts NSW and the RADO network to attempt to address the problem, feed information up to state and federal governments and lobby for legislative changes to address the problem in the long-term. RANSW has now brokered an appropriate and affordable group insurance policy and Certificates of Insurance Currency are being distributed.

Appointment to CCD Board The RADO has been appointed to the NSW Ministry for the Arts Community Cultural Development Board.

Quick Turnaround Grants Arts Mid North Coast has been responsible for attracting several Quick Turnaround Grants to the region during the reporting period including $380 for a Camden Haven Arts Council Workshop; $850 for Judy Martin and $600 for Neridah Osborne to attend the Tanja Woodfiring Conference; $1,000 for Slippry Sirkus, Professional Development for 2 young people in Brisbane ($1,000); $1,000 for Cheryl Robinson to attend the National Indigenous Conference in Adelaide and $500 for Renata Marek to deliver a paper on Music Therapy at a conference in Melbourne.

Cool Bananas Film Festival Support, advice, assistance, funding and promotions have all been provide to the Coffs Film Committee in the development of the Cool Banana Film Festival scheduled for July of this year. Screenings will begin at the Jetty Memorial Theatre and then the Festival will be toured to various parts of the region.

Aged Care Pilot Project Consultations have been held with the HACC Regional Development Worker, staff at Hastings Council and Morgan Blackrose as the first stage in developing a pilot aged and arts project.

Public Art Development Arts Mid North Coast has been instrumental in assisting the development of a number of public art projects across the region. A Public Art Forum is planned for later this year, to be developed under the City for the Arts banner and implemented in Port Macquarie.

Mosaic Project Bellingen Arts Mid North Coast has started the process of raising funds for a further mosaic mural project on an amenities block in Bellingen Park. Approval has been gained from Bellingen Council for the site and the Bellingen Community Markets association has already donated $200. Guy Crosley is donating the finished work and all that is required is the costs associated with the installation of the work.

Camden Haven Music Festival The RADO attended one of the sessions at the Camden Haven annual music festival and congratulates the organising committee for an extremely professional and well run event.

Regional Film Industry Development Project A significant amount of advice, assistance and lobbying has been provided in the development phase of this project. Partnership funding through the ACC, Development Board and Local Government is sought for a three year regional project that aims to market the region to film producers nationally and internationally. 'Eden', a film project that returned $1.1m to the Taree and Hastings LGA has already been attraced to the area and 'Danny Deckchair' an Australian movie currently being shot in Bellingen and employing 250 local people is returning between $500k and $600k to the local economy. Two further projects are close to being secured for Coffs. It is anticipated that the project will become self-sustaining after three years.

Regional Events Development Project Arts Mid North Coast has also been involved in assisting a local events development officer to develop a partnership proposal for a regional Events Development Officer position to be funded for a period of two years to develop sustainable outcomes for the regional events and festivals sector.

Regional Cultural Industries Development Project for the Arts and Crafts Sector After prolonged lobbying for the cultural sector to be seen as an 'industry' Arts Mid North Coast has been approached by Peter Milner, EO of the ACC to lodge a RAP application for the funding of a Cultural Industries Development Worker to progress the arts and craft industry sector. The proposal has been met with support from a meeting of Economic Development Officers, convened by Arts Mid North Coast at the offices of the ACC in early May. The proposal is half complete and will be submitted within a fortnight.

Manning Theatre Development Project Meetings have been held with the Manning Entertainment Centre and the Taree Events Development Officer to establish a small theatre touring company with a youth theatre 'feeder'. The project is still in its embryonic stages and a meeting of stakeholders is currently being developed to progress the proposal.

Bellingen Flamenco Festival Assistance, advice, support and lobbying as well as a small grant have been provide to this group in the development of this event for 2003. This year a series of workshops are being funded in Flamenco Dance to build an audience for the event.

Tallow-wood Mountain Arts Co-op Arts Mid North Coast has undertaken preliminary work with Coffs City Council and the Coffs Harbour Streets Ahead to assess the viability of an artists' co-op in Ulong and Lowanna. The project links into local planning processes. Work will be undertaken with local communities to progress the project if viable.

Primary Role Six: Planning

Hastings Council MOU Hastings Council has agreed to adopt the draft MOU and associated work plan that provides a more strategic approach to working in with the City for the Arts strategy. Hastings Council also agreed to continue their financial contribution at the current level.

Kempsey Council, Cultural Planning Arts Mid North Coast has been successful in winning a tender from the Kempsey Shire Council to assist a cultural planning process for this LGA. The process will involve a review of existing information, community consultations, a survey and a call for expressions of interest.

Coffs Harbour City Council Database Project Arts Mid North Coast has been successful in attracting a fee for service job to undertake a cultural databasing project for Coffs City Council.

Bellingen Council, Cultural Planning The Bellingen Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee has recently had to suspend its cultural planning process as a result of a lack of funds. Since this time, Council has agreed to allocate $1,000 to the committee to continue the process and has recommended that an amount of $10,000 be allocated for an arts and cultural small grants program in the new financial year.

Great Lakes Shire Council Support, advice and assistance has been provided in the establishment of an Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee for this Council. Further lobbying has resulted in a request from Great Lakes Shire Council to join our Regional Arts Board.

Tri-Regional Planning Meeting Armidale 3 May A meeting was convened between Arts Mid North Coast, Arts North West and the Upper Hunter Arts Program to discuss issues across our regions, discuss funding and collaborative opportunities. These meetings take place on a regular quarterly basis.

- Richard Holloway, RADO, Arts Mid North Coast