Welcome to the Regional Arts NSW e-Bulletin for March 15, 2002.

Please note: listings are not repeated in the e-Bulletin. There may be opportunities, grants and/or prizes still available from previous editions. Check out the archive on our website at www.regionalartsnsw.com.au (link from e-Bulletin banner on the front page).

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Opportunities

NSW MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS BULLETIN
Get your event listed in the NSW Ministry for the Arts monthly (paper) Bulletin - send the details to Alison Duncan Fax 02 9228 4722 or Email alison@arts.nsw.gov.au a week before the end of the month for publication in the following moth's issue. "Every effort will be made to include submitted material."

FESTIVAL WEBSITE
There's a new website listing festivals around Australia. It includes dates, locations and artist contact details and has facility to add to listing. For further information Email rik@7thdimension.com.au or got to www.7thdimension.com.au/festival

ASIALINK AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA ARTS & COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Asialink is calling for Expressions of Interest for the Australia-Indonesia Arts & Community Program. For further information go to http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au or Tel 03 8344 4800.
Closing 8 April

CALL FOR DIGITAL WORKS
Melbourne-based Experimenta Media's online gallery will soon profile the work of young and emerging digital artists. Original works that push creative boundaries and experiment with ideas are invited for selection. Entries will be assessed by a selection panel, and those selected displayed in a randomly rotating gallery on the Experimenta home-page. Most file formats are acceptable (gif, jpeg, swf), and must be under 400k. Dimensions should be 400x250 pixels. For more information go to www.experimenta.org or Email experimenta@experimenta.org.
Deadline 30 April

PUBLIC ART PROJECT - GRAFTON CITY COUNCIL
Up to $22,000. The Grafton City Council is seeking expressions of interest from artists for the creation of a public artwork to be located in the public area in front of the Grafton Community Centre. This new $2 million centre due to open on May 1, 2002. Installation of the work is envisaged to be completed by March 2003. Further info: Grafton Regional Gallery, PO Box 25 Grafton NSW 2460 (02) 6642 3177 mail@graftongallery.nsw.gov.au
Closing 13 May

MICROSOFT'S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE
Microsoft's Community Assistance Initiative is a program that has supplied hundreds of groups with tens of thousands of dollars of free software over the past few years. According to Microsoft, "the program provides software and technical support to registered non-profit organisations throughout Australia that provide human services for disadvantaged groups or individuals." Those organisations approved for the software grants include groups working with
* youth-at-risk
* physical disability
* medical research and care
* technology access for seniors
* housing assistance & homelessness
* care for children
* victims of abuse
* disadvantaged minorities
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander needs
* language skills training and migrant assistance
* special community and ethnic needs
For more details on the Microsoft go to http://www.microsoft.com/australia/empower/cai/.

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Competitions, Prizes + Awards

COOL BANANAS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Coffs Arts Film Committee is calling for entries for its inaugural Cool Bananas Short Film Festival to be held on the 26th and 27th July at the Sawtell Cinema. The short film competition is open to all film-makers in NSW. The Film must run for less than ten minutes, shot on video in any genre, and include a banana. There will be two award categories: Youth (18 and under) and an open section with prizes for the best films. For further information on any events or workshops planned by the Coffs Arts Film Committee or for an entry form to the Cool Bananas Film Competition, please call Robbie James Tel 02 6656 4829.

CITY OF PERTH CRAFT AWARD 2002
Entries are now being accepted for the City of Perth Cultural Awards, in the fields of visual art, craft and photography. Professional and emerging practitioners are invited to enter. Categories include:
* Art Award - $12,000 Award for Excellence and 3 x $1,000 Commendation Awards
* Photography Award - $3,000 Award for Excellence and $1,000 Commendation Award
* Craft Award - $10,000 Award for Excellence and $1,000 Commendation Award
Application fees $33/$22/$16.50. Exhibition - May 30-Jul 13. Contact Kate McMillan, Programe Manager, CraftWest Centre for Contemporary Craft Tel 08 9226 2799 Email kate@craftwest.com.au.
Deadline 18 March (Craft)
Deadline 7 June (Art/Photography)

SYDNEY HILLS GRAMMER SCHOOL ART PRIZE
Sydney's Hills Grammar School will be staging its 2002 Art and Craft Show, 3-5 May, and is now inviting entries for its annual Acquisitive Art Prize. Prizes $6,000. This year's subject for the prize is 'Realism'.
Contact Bruce Newey Tel 02 9654 2111.
Deadline 22 March

WEEREEWA FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
In conjunction with the 2002 Weereewa Festival, the Queanbeyan City Council will be holding a photographic competition/exhibition. The exhibition will be on display at the Queanbeyan City Library from 8-13 April and the Bungendore Library from 16-20 April 2002. There are two categories: Children's Competition - photographs of where you live, your favourite place, what you like about living where you do (2 sections: K-6 and Years 7-10) and Open Competition - theme - environment - including water and/or earth. Cash prizes as well as equipment and vouchers. Contact Cathie Graham or Anne Robinson, Cultural Development Officers, Queanbeyan City Council 02 6298 0180.
Closing 29 March

EDNA RYAN AWARDS
The Edna Awards were inaugurated in 1998 by the Women's Electoral Lobby NSW). Categories:
* Workforce: for improving conditions for women workers
* Government: for feminist activity in the political sphere
* Community Activism: for feminist activity in the community
* Arts: for creative feminism
* Media: for consistent promotion of women's interests in the media
* Humour: for using wit to promote women's interests
* Mentoring: for sharing knowledge and ideas generously with other women
* Battling: for making it against the odds
* Political potholder: for an idea for a political implement
* The Grand Stirrer: for inciting others to challenge the status quo
Nominees must be comfortable with being called feminist, and must live and work in NSW or the ACT. The Ednas are a way of publicising some of our achievements, and to encourage all of us (as Edna did) to keep contributing, to keep on making a feminist difference. For a Nomination form contact the WEL NSW office Tel 02 9212 4374 Emai welnsw@mail.comcen.com.au.
Closing 31 March 2002

AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS CCD BOARD - ROS BOWER AWARD
To recognise distinguisehd effort in fostering and furthering the philosophies and principles of Rosealie Bower, founding director of the Community Arts Board. The aware is made to an individual artist or artsworker. Refer to Australia Council's 2002 Support for the Arts Handbook. For copies and further information contact the Australia Council Tel 02 9215 9000 or tollfree 1800 226 912. Email mail@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 1 April

CHURCHIE EMERGING ART EXHIBITION: BRAND & SLATER ARCHITECTS $5000 PRIZE
Entry open to any Australian artist aged 18 years and over who is in the emerging stage of their career. Categories: paintings, works on paper, object based art, and new technologies. $22 entry fee. Exhibition - May 16-19. Further info: Anglican Church Grammar School, Oaklands Parade, East Brisbane Tel 07 3396 2200.
Closing 1 April

19th TELSTRA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ART AWARD
First Prize $40,000 plus $16,000 worth of other prizes. Entries are invited from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. For preselection forms and information contact: NATSIAA Coordinator, MAGNT, GPO Box 4646, Darwin NT 0801 Tel 08 8999 8228 Email natsiaa@nt.gov.au Website: http://gallery.discoverymedia.com.au/magnt/index.htm.
Closing 15 April

AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CENTRE AWARDS 2002
The AMC are seeking nominations from members for seven awards: best composition, best performance, best contribution by an individual to the presentation of Australian Music, best contribution by an organization, best contribution to the advancement of education in Australian Music, best long-term contribution, and a new award: best contribution from a regional-based organization or individual. It's very easy to make a nomination. For details and a nomination form visit www.amcoz.com.au/cent-award.htm or call the AMC Tel 02 9247 4677 or 1800 651 834.
Closing 22 April

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Grants + Scholarships

THE MYER FOUNDATION
The Myer Foundation works to build a fair, just, creative and caring society by supporting initiatives that promote positive change in Australia, and in relation to its regional setting. The Foundation wishes to support processes, events, and activities that resolve problems and address issues that make a positive measurable difference to society. To do this, it has chosen to focus on five areas for funding in the next three years. The five areas with the closing date for the next grant round are:
* The Arts and Humanities - 13 June for beginning August meeting
* Beyond Australia - 10 April for beginning June meeting
* Social Justice - 28 May for end July meeting
* Water and the Environment - 30 April for end June meeting
* Philanthropy in Australia - 29 March for beginning May meeting
Further information including the grant application form is available from the web site or directly from the Meyer Foundation Tel 03 9207 3040 Email irene@myerfoundation.org.au Website http://www.myerfoundation.org.au

PERPETUAL TRUSTEES GENERAL COMMUNITY GRANTS
For not-for-profit organisations to provide support to charities in perpetuity and to build an enduring financial base for worthwhile cases generation after generation. Various amounts - average $5,000 - $10,000. For further information Email info@perpetual.com.au or go to www.perpetual.com.au
Closing 31 March

AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS CCD BOARD
* New Work
* Presentation and Promotion
* Skills and Arts Development.
Refer to Australia Council's 2002 Support for the Arts Handbook For copies and further information contact the Australia Council Tel 02 9215 9000 or tollfree 1800 226 912. Email mail@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 1 April

AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS ROS BOWER AWARD
Refer to Australia Council's 2002 Support for the Arts Handbook For copies of the guidelines and further information contact the Australia Council Tel 02 9215 9000 or tollfree 1800 226 912. Email mail@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 1 April

AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS VISUAL ARTS/CRAFT BOARD
* New Work
* Key Organisations
* Fellowships.
Refer to Australia Council's 2002 Support for the Arts Handbook. For copies of the guidelines and further information contact the Australia Council Tel 02 9215 9000 or tollfree 1800 226 912. Email mail@ozco.gov.au Website www.ozco.gov.au
Closing 1 April

ROBERT HELPMANN SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship of $15,000 to assist a professional dancer or choreographer to further develop their career, by supporting a specific artistic program. Contact the NSW Ministry for the Arts Tel 02 9228 5533 Freecall 1800 358 594. Guidelines and closing dates for the 2002-2003 Cultural Grants Program and 2002 Fellowships and Scholarships are available from the NSW Ministry for the Arts Website at www.arts.nsw.gov.au.
Closing April 12

DEPT OF ENVIRONMENT + HERITAGE - CULTURAL HERITAGE PROJECTS PROGRAM
Funding for National Cultural Heritage projects. Incorporated not-for-profit organisations, Local Government authorities and private owners of heritage properties are eligible. The program supports projects that are primarily for conservation works to nationally significant heritage places, can bring benefits beyond local, regional or state communities, and are able to be completed within 12 to 18 months. For further information contact the Heritage Assistance and Projects Section, Australian and World Heritage Division, Dept of the Environment and Heritage Tel 1800 653 004 tollfree or
02 6274 1111 Email haps@ea.gov.au.
Closing 19 April

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS ARTS FOUNDATION
Nominations for the 2002 AbaF Awards are now open. For more information go to www.abaf.org.au Emai: information@abaf.org.au or call 03 9658 0210
Closing 31 May

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Conferences + Workshops

NSW LOCAL GOVERNMENT ABORIGINAL NETWORK CONFERENCE
20-22 March
Hosted by the Greater Taree Council and the NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network, to be held at the Manning Entertainment Center in Taree North. Contact Mave Richardson Tel 02 6591 3285 Email maver@gtcc.nsw.gov.au.

CELEBRATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT + CHANGE: PEOPLE, PLACES + PROCESSES
22 March
Sydney - UTS. A forum for practitioners, academics & people interested in celebration practice. Celebrations play an important role in the lives of Australians. This forum will provide a range of opportunities to discuss and exchange ideas on how celebrations have been / can be used for personal development and community change. Using the following to facilitate dialogue and information exchange:
* Examination of why we need to celebrate
* Show and tell sessions of achievements
* Critical analysis of a case study: Why celebrations were used; What impact it had; How barriers were addressed
* Roles and areas of interest within the celebration network
* Updates on latest trends/issues in Australia and overseas
* Participation in celebration activities
* Panel discussions on key questions including: "What are the defining features of effective celebration practice?" and "How can we build support for celebration practices in current times?"
To book or for more information contact Centre for Popular Education Tel. 02-9514 3843 Email cpe@uts.edu.au

SETTING THE AGENDA: ATSIC NATIONAL POLICY CONFERENCE 2002
25 -27 March
National Convention Centre, Canberra. The conference will run for three days. The first day will be a workshop concentrating on the practical and more technical aspects of the policy process. The following two days will focus on self-determination and rights with keynote speakers engaging and challenging participants to look anew at current policy approaches. Contacts ATSIC 2002 Policy Conference Secretariat Tel 02 6281 6624 Email conference@conlog.com.au. The conference brochure is available on the ATSIC web site at http://www.atsic.gov.au

FORMING PARTNERSHIPS: MAKING CONNECTIONS
5-6 April
'How can heritage and arts partnerships foster social, cultural and economic development?' A two day workshop presented by the Museums and Galleries Foundation of NSW, in collaboration with the Powerhouse Museum, Hay Museums, and the Museum of the Riverina. Bringing together workers from local government, museums and community arts programs to explore the effect museums can have on communities. Tours to local heritage sites, such as the Bishop's Lodge Historic House, the Hay Gaol Museum and the Hay POW and Internment Camp Interpretive Centre, will also be available. Contact Rebecca Pinchin, Powerhouse Museum, Tel 1800 882 092; Dr Martha Sear, Community Curator, Hay Tel 02 6993 2006; or Museums and Galleries Foundation of NSW Tel 02 9358 1760 / 1800 114 311 Email programs2@mgfnsw.org.au.

NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS' CONFERENCE
22 April - 4 May
Canberra. As part of this conference, the ANPC is presenting The Studio, an intensive two-week residential writing course, open to anyone interested in the art of writing for performance. Tutored by ex-MTC resident dramturg, Peter Matheson, and Louise Gough, current Literary Manager of Playbox Theatre Company.
The course will provide writers with the opportunity to improve their work by teaching new techniques and skills during 'craft seminars' offered by experts in their fields, and by facilitating feedback from peers and tutors. Organisers note that participants will witness new plays being developed by some of the nation's finest directors, dramaturgs and actors, as well as be provided with access to actors in order to workshop their own writing.
Returning to the conference will also be the 'Drama Lab' workshop program for Drama and English teachers.
The conference will also include the collaborative workshopping of ten new plays, by playwrights of different levels of experience and varying backgrounds. The featured plays will include: Susan Roger's adaptation of Robert Dessaix's novel Night Letters; Alana Valentine's new work, The Whispering; and, in collaboration with puppeteers from Theatre of Image, Donna Abela's play Arabian Nights. There will also be readings of new works by visiting playwrights from Germany, Israel, New Zealand and the United States. Contact Richard Drysdale or May-Brit Akerholt Tel 02 9555 9377 (Mon-Thurs) Email info@anpc.org.au

POPULAR MUSIC CONFERENCE
19-21 July
Armidale. 'From way out to way in: the dialectic between the alternative and the mainstream' - The International Association for the Study of Popular Music's ninth national conference for the Australia-New Zealand region. Call for proposals for papers on the following topics:
* the role of the media
* music within everyday life
* religion and music in popular culture
* music and the body
* transnational identities
* technology and musical innovation; musical parody and humour; and music spaces and places.
Papers addressing other topics are also welcomed. Organisers seek contributors from a range of backgrounds, including: ethnomusicology, musicology, popular music studies, cultural studies, urban studies, cultural geography, cultural tourism and sociology. Proposals, including a title and abstract, should be forwarded to David Goldsworthy, Music Department, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, or via email to dgoldswo@metz.une.edu.au. Tel 02 6773 6447
Deadline 15 April

HERITAGE PLANNING IN PRACTICE: SHORT COURSE FOR NSW LOCAL GOVERNMENT
20-21 March, Sydney & 15-16 October, Regional NSW
Recognising and caring for a locality¹s heritage is an important part of local government's responsibilities. Heritage Planning in Practice will meet the training needs of local government personnel involved in heritage decision-making. Heritage decisions need to be made by balancing expert advice with community values. This course has been designed to help participants develop an understanding that will provide a basis for their day-to-day decisions. It will be hands-on in style, using a problem-solving approach. Cost: $440 inclusive of GST. Contact Emma Parsons or Kate Whitton Tel 02 9242 4181/3 or Email eparsons@lgsa.org.au

EVENTS AND PLACE MAKING: BUILDING DESTINATIONS + COMMUNITIES THROUGH EVENTS
15-16 July
Sydney. Presented by the Australian Centre for Event Management, University of Technology Sydney in association with the CRC in Sustainable Tourism and Victoria University
Examining the role of events in building destinations and creating a sense of place and community. The conference will also look at key factors in the management of events, including the bid process, event enhancement and evaluation. The Conference Brochure and Registration Form is now in production. To place your name on the mailing list for the brochure, forward your contact details to: John Allen, Director Australian Centre for Event Management, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 222 Lindfield NSW 2070 Fax: 02 9514 5195 or Email: John.Allen@uts.edu.au

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THANKS
This e-Bulletin is produced with the assistance of the Regional Arts Fund, a Commonwealth Government initiative supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia.
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Regional Arts NSW

Regional Arts NSW is the peak body for the arts and community cultural development in regional and rural New South Wales.