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Highlights

Regional NSW artists in Sculpture by the Sea
2 – 19 November, Bondi
Works by twelve artists from regional New South Wales will appear in this year's Sculpture by the Sea. The 10th anniversary exhibition on Sydney's spectacular Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk features over 100 sculptures by artists from across the world and Australia. A free exhibition hosting the weird and wonderful through to the monumental, including a piece by internationally acclaimed sculptor, Phillip King from England. Artists from regional NSW appearing with the assistance of NSW Regional Artists Subsidy Grant, include: Melissa Hirsch (Byron Bay), Bruce Radke (Braidwood), Ian Swift (Katoomba), Richard Tipping (Newcastle), Charlie Trivers (Wagga Wagga), Bronwyn Berman (Bowral), Daniel Clemment (Clunes) Mandy Francis (Pretty Beach), Braddon Snape (Islington) Peter Tilley (Mayfield), Andrew Townsend (Braidwood) and Macchia Paulo (Charlestown).
Website www.sculpturebythesea.com

Unsound 06: Experimental Music & Sound Art Festival
10 – 12 November, Wagga Wagga
Wagga Space Program’s biennial festival of experimental music and sound art is truly unique in regional New South Wales. This year's festival features the loco-motivus project: a series of installations, performances and screenings by Australian and international artists on a train that moves through the Riverina landscape. Originally conceived to address the need for experimental and contemporary sound performance in regional and alternative settings, Unsound's programming is in keeping with the Wagga Space Program’s philosophy that the practice of arts is enhanced by its regional location. Over the years Unsound has received critical acclaim and a reputation for challenging traditional art conventions through the use of alternative spaces such as industrial sites, paddocks and heritage buildings. Performances on Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm. Loco-Motivus departs Wagga Wagga at 10.00am on Saturday. Festival passes available from Wagga Wagga's Civic Theatre Contact Tel 02 6926 9688 Website www.civictheatre.com.au or www.unsound.org.au

Electric Lenin
22 – 24 November, Lismore
NORPA's major new production for 2006 is not to be missed. Electric Lenin is an ambitious interplay of music, text, performance and digital imagery which pushes the boundaries of the music theatre genre. Produced by some of the finest contemporary artists and arts workers currently creating new work in Australia: composer Barry Conyngham, librettist Janis Balodis, director Patrick Nolan, visual designer Craig Walsh, set designer Kathryn Sproul and lighting designer David Murray. Featuring Jason Barry-Smith (Baritone) and Gaye MacFarlane (Mezzo Soprano). Electric Lenin is inspired by the intriguing true story of a northern NSW farmer, who despite his isolation on a rural property in 1960s Australia, developed relationships across the globe via his ham radio. A remarkable story about memory and loss. At the Lismore City Hall, $20/$30. Contact Tel 02 6621 5600 Website www.norpa.org.au

Festival of the Stars
Until 18 November, Coonabarabran
Jam-packed with music, art, film, sport and local stargazing, The Festival of the Stars celebrates a passion for astronomy with the talents of the Warrumbungle community. Highlights include the Great Warrumbungler Poetry Dinner and Competition, which promises a raucous evening of balladeering, wit and rhyme hosted by Australian Bush Poetry Champion Milton Taylor. Also on the program is the Fresh Arts 2006 Exhibition which showcases photography, sculpture and painting by the region's up-and-coming artists. Aboriginal Elders will take participants on a journey through the historic Burra Bee Dee Mission. The festival offers an exciting mix of jazz, short film, craft competitions and astronomical fact-finding. Website www.coonabarabran.com

The Song Company's Free as a Bird
23 November, Newcastle
25 November, Bathurst
26 November, Katoomba
29 November, Wollongong
An enchanted world filled with larks, nightingales, owls, cuckoos, thrushes as well as willy wagtails, kookaburras, bellbirds and bats. In this unique bird-singing program, the Song Company is joined by Genevieve Lacey, one of the most remarkable and charismatic virtuosi recorder players in this country. Featuring madrigals and bird songs from the old world, this concert will also capture the free spirit of the Australian bush in a new collection of bird calls by John Rodgers and present Elena Kats-Chernin’s latest work that takes its lead from pigeons. Tickets $38/$35/$30/$25. Tel 02 9251 1600 Website www.songcompany.com.au

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Regional Arts NSW News

Elizabeth Rogers new CEO of Regional Arts NSW
The Chair of Regional Arts NSW, Meg Larkin, has announced the appointment of Elizabeth Rogers as the new Chief Executive Officer for Regional Arts NSW. Elizabeth has extensive arts management and arts marketing experience gained from over twenty years work in the field in both metropolitan and regional areas, including positions as the Manager of Marketing and Communications with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and as Director of Canberra Arts Marketing. Elizabeth starts at Regional Arts NSW on 4 December 2006.
Full story on the Regional Arts NSW website here.

Regional Arts Fund delivers 21 major new projects in NSW
$339,000 in funding for new works in diverse art forms across regional NSW in 2007
Regional Arts NSW today announced a total of $339,000 in new arts funding from the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund for 21 new projects to take place in regional, rural and remote NSW communities in 2007. The list includes an array of community based projects in almost every art form whose impacts will range from individual skill development to whole of town identity.
Full story and list of projects on the Regional Arts NSW website here

New RADO for Arts~Upper Hunter
Jenny Hicks has been appointed Regional Arts Development Officer for Arts~ Upper Hunter. Jenny’s background is in the film and television industry, where she has worked in many capacities in the US, NZ, SA and Australia. Working predominantly as a film editor and assistant editor on feature films she has also produced, directed and worked as a script writer and editor and she is a published author.
Contact Jenny Hicks Tel 02 6545 9727 Email artsuh@bigpond.net.au

New Ozco: RAA partnership announced
A new $1.3m, 4-year partnership between Regional Arts Australia and the Australia Council for the Arts was announced by the Australia Council's Chair, James Strong at the Regional Arts Australia national conference, The Pacific Edge, in Queensland in September. While the agreement is yet to be finalised, the core elements of the partnership announced at the conference include funding for the 2008 Regional Arts Australia National Conference in Alice Springs; a new national regional arts media strategy and media partnerships program; a national regional arts communications and publications program; the development of new cross-sector partnerships and a number of possible new training, research and audience development initiatives. A formal announcement of the agreement is expected from the Australia Council shortly.

National regional arts promotions strategy
Communications, promotions and audience development staff from peak regional arts organisations and regional arts marketing consortia around the country met with Regional Arts Australia and key Audience Development & Marketing and Community Partnerships staff from the Australia Council for the Arts in Canberra last month for a two day facilitated communications strategy development workshop. The aim was to clarify shared objectives and develop detailed strategies for a national regional arts promotions program to be delivered in a partnership between Regional Arts Australia and the Australia Council for the Arts (see story, above).
Members of the Regional Arts Promoters Network (RAPN) also attended the launch by the Hon Rod Kemp, Minister for the Arts & Sport of a new brochure, Regional Arts Fund: a national focus, highlighting outcomes from the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund over the 2 years to 30 June 2006, at Parliament House on Tuesday 17 October. For a copy of the brochure contact Regional Arts NSW Tel 02 9270 2500 or download a PDF from the RAA website here.

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Other News

NSW Arts Minister Bob Debus to resign
The State Government's longest-serving minister, the Attorney-General and Minister for the Arts and the Environment, Bob Debus, has confirmed he will resign at the next election, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald on 30 October.
Full story on the Sydney Morning Herald website here

$16m donation for Art Gallery of NSW
ABC Radio 702 Sydney reports that the leading Sydney artist, James Gleeson, is set to pledge $16 million to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in the largest individual fund ever established for the gallery.
Full story on the 702 ABC Sydney website here

Joanna Logue wins Country Energy Art Prize
Joanna Logue has been awarded Australia's richest annual acquisitive landscape art prize– the $35,000 Country Energy Art Prize for Landscape Painting – with her work Connifer – Braidwood. "The choice of the winner was almost immediate," said judge, Tim Storrier. "It displays a technical finesse and a type of poetry that is inescapable." Country Energy's managing director said the competition, now in its fourth year and had come of age. "This is an event that highlights the importance of regional art, whilst promoting the value and benefits of regional galleries and the arts in our local communities." An exhibition of all 42 finalists' works will be at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery until 11 November.
View the artworks on the Country Energy website here

Garth Lena wins 2006 Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize
Fingal Head artist, Garth Lena has won the $20,000 Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize for his work, Spirit Man and Black Dog. The prize was announced last month at a ceremony attended by over 200 guests from the Indigenous and arts communities and is presented in a partnership between MGnsw, Campbelltown Arts Centre and the Parliament of New South Wales. Lena's work was a unanimous choice by all three judges. “The work shows a dreaming story of his country in a contemporary context. It is playful and has strong visual impact with its bold use of materials and confident execution”, said one adjudicator.
For more information contact Yvette Andrews Tel 0408 281 810.

Thomas Spence wins Jacaranda Award
Thomas Spence has won the $10,000 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award for 2006. Judge, Akky van Ogtrop, described the winning work, The Long Yard of Shellharbour, which was inspired by the artist's travels to Wollongong, as, "a very dramatic piece with beautiful texture.” Thomas is a previous winner of the Dobell Prize for Drawing (1994) and the Blake Prize for Religious Art (1997). His works are in the collections of the World Bank, New York, and the Art Gallery of NSW. The other three artists whose works were acquired with the award were Noel McKenna, Michael Zavros and Stephen Spurrier.
Contact the Director, Grafton Regional Art Gallery, Jude McBean Tel 02 6642 3177

Winners of the 2006 AbaF Awards announced
The winners of the 2006 Australian Business Arts Foundation Awards were announced in Melbourne on 26 October. First held in 2001, the annual AbaF Awards honour the best private sector arts relationships and the leaders who have created inspirational examples of engagement between the private sector and the arts. Thirteen awards were made this year including the QantasLink Regional Award which went to Australia Post and Opera Australia.
Full list of winners on the AbaF website here

Australia Council endorses New Media Arts Scoping Study
The Australia Council has endorsed the recommendations of the New Media Arts Scoping Study presented to it last month. The study’s key recommendations include continued monitoring of support for media arts across the Australia Council; the inclusion of media arts specific strategies as part of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy; an emphasis on media arts expertise among board members and peers at the Australia Council; and an emphasis on the importance of media literacy as part of the Australia Council’s Arts and Education Strategy as well as partnerships, a publishing program and a research/resources program for artists.
Full story on the Australia Council website here 

83 arts organisations in national freedom of expression | sedition campaign
Eighty-three Australian arts organisations have signed a statement, No Compromise on Freedom of Speech, calling on the Australian Government to act on the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission to drop the term 'sedition' from and make substantial changes to the 'Anti-Terror' legislation which was passed by parliament in late 2005.
More information on the website ozsedition.blogspot.com or the NAVA website here

New Director for Byron Bay Writers Festival
Jeni Caffin has been appointed as the new Director for the Northern Rivers Writers' Centre and the Byron Bay Writers Festival. Jeni moved to the Northern Rivers region from Sydney four years ago and has been a volunteer at the Writers’ Centre ever since. For the past two years she has been the publicist for the Byron Bay Writers Festival, helping put the event on the Australian literary map. Prior to that she was the national Events and Publicity Manager for Angus and Robertson. Jeni replaces former Director, Jill Eddington. She starts on 8 December.
Contact the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre Tel 02 6685 5115

Nymagee Outback Music Festival a big success
The Cobar Age reports there were record crowds at a very successful Nymagee Outback Music Festival on the October long weekend. One thousand day visitors and campers converged on the historic Cobar Shire village (population around 50) for the fifth bi-annual festival. "Music lovers from all over Australia and some overseas countries enjoyed a three day extravaganza of non-stop concerts, hands-on art workshops, song writing, busking, country culture and a fire and light show under the stars surrounded by the Nymagee hills," says the report.
Full story on the Cobar Age website here

Albury City invests in the arts
The Border Mail reports that Albury City Council will spend $10,000 on a 10-minute classical music piece to celebrate the opening of the $13 million library-museum next June. The grant is one of several community and cultural grants approved this year, with other beneficiaries including the Flying Fruit Fly Circus ($310,000), the Albury-Wodonga Eisteddfod ($20,000), the Albury City Band ($10,000); the Applause Festival ($10,000) and the Murray Conservatorium ($10,000). The council has also secured several major grants from the State and Federal Governments for the library-museum.
Full story on the Border Mail website here

DSRD supports Indigenous artist's international market development
Terry Allen, an Indigenous Tamworth artist, is exploring international markets with support from the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Business Link program. Allen has five artworks on show at the Australian Art Fest which has just opened in Toronto, Canada. He is one of 10 artists invited to participate in this special exhibition which will showcase Australian art and culture to the Canadian market.
More information on the Department of State & Regional Development's website here

Lennox Head artist invited to exhibit in Canada
Lennox Head artist, Anna Niblic Heggie, has been invited to exhibit her work as part of a major international show – Kendamaian – at the Barber Gallery in Guelph, Canada. 'Kendamaian' is a Sanskrit word for 'Harmony of the Soul' and the exhibition has the themes of world peace, compassion and harmony in a world of anxiety, greed and disillusionment. Anna has also been invited to run a workshop on Meditation and Art at Cambridge Library Gallery and will be giving a lecture at Guelph University while in Canada.
View images on Anna’s website at www.niblic.com or visit the Kendamaian wikispace  here

Melbourne artist is residence at Camden Head Pilot Station
Melbourne based artist Maria Filippow, who has been selected by the Australia Council for the Arts for the national community artists residency at the Camden Head Pilot Station on the Mid North Coast, will be in residence until mid November. The annual eight week residency has been hosted by the Pilot Station since 2002 and is the only national residency in Australia for community artists. Maria is a visual artist who has been working on community arts and cultural development projects for 20 years.
Full story on the Camden Head Pilot Station website here.

Tropfest feature film, ABC TV documentary to shoot in regional NSW
The first project to be produced under the Tropfest Feature Program, a new feature film called September, has been granted $100,000 from the FTO’s Regional Filming Fund to shoot in Boorowa, Yass and Harden this year. Set in the outback wheat-belt in 1968, September is a coming-of-age story about two 15 year old boys — one black, one white — whose friendship falls apart under the pressures of the social changes happening around them. September is scheduled for completion in June 2007. In other news, a one hour documentary for ABC television, A Good Man, has received a grant of $9,118 from the FTO's Regional Filming Fund to shoot on location in Bundarra and Inverell. The film, which is the true story of an Australian farmer who married his pregnant girlfriend Rachael after a stroke left her completely paralysed, is scheduled for completion in April 2007.
Contact Melissa Lee, NSW FTO Regional Filming Fund Tel 02 9264 6400 Email leem@fto.nsw.gov.au   Website

2006 Heywire winners announced
Thirty nine winners of ABC Radio’s regional youth initiative, Heywire, were announced by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Canberra last month. A competition which aims to encourage young Australians to have their say, Heywire is open to people aged 16 – 22 and requires entrants to submit a short story for a 3-minute radio piece about life as they experience it in rural and regional Australia. Each of the winning stories will be produced by the ABC and broadcast across ABC Local Radio and triple j over summer and into early 2007.
Full story on the ABC Radio website  here

AART.BOXX now out of the box
The NOISE and Accessible Arts project AART.BOXX, showcasing the work of young artists with disabilities, is now online on the NOISE website, where visitors can see the work of finalists, highly commendeds and winners in an online curated show. Also, for the first time, Accessible Arts, NOISE and the Sydney Opera House have collaborated to present an exhibition of AAART.BOXX works at the Sydney Opera House on 22 and 23 November. A chance to view an exhibition of unique voices, a generation of emerging Australian artists who are communicating in a way at once empowering and expressive.
Virtual exhibition on the NOISE website here

New online CCD publication from Victoria
Arts Hub reports that a new publication documenting the value of artists and communities working together has recently been launched in Victoria. Creative Collaborations is a print and web-based publication of case studies in Community Cultural Development (CCD) which has been designed as a working aid for those in the sector and an illustrative tool for those outside the practice. The project was developed by the VCA’s CCD Program with assistance from the State Government’s Community Support Fund (Department of Victorian Communities).
The online component of Creative Collaborations is available here
Full story on the Arts Hub website here

Artists' health suffers
The Courier Mail reports that new research shows artists' health seriously suffers due to their craft. A Griffith University study found Australia's 'creative types' have levels of anxiety, tension and insomnia well in excess of the general population.
Full story on the Courier Mail website here

Australian volunteering not all sunny: new report
Ourcommunity.com reports on recent research on volunteering in Australia conducted by the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, whose findings challenge the Government's often optimistic view of the nation's volunteering sector. The report, compiled from systematic analysis from two key resources from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, suggests that Australians do not necessarily consider themselves to be' matey and unselfish'.
Full story in the ourcommunity.com newsletter here.

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Project Reports

WYK: Wiradjuri Youth Kulture
"Our faces, our places, this is our story" : WYK is a group exhibition of works created by young Aboriginal artists in the Eastern Riverina region as part of a larger Creative Riverina Youth Team (CRYT) arts program. Working with TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Aboriginal Education & Training Unit, young students involved in Koori Outreach Options for Learning (KOOL) were taught creative non-traditional means of recording their stories and images. The project had KOOL students talking to the Elders and local Aboriginal people about the old days and the result is an exhibition which is the first of its kind in this region, showing local Aboriginal history seen through the eyes of young people.
On show until 6 November at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery Contact Tel 02 6962 5991 Email gallery@griffith.nsw.gov.au
This project was made possible with funding from the Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government initiative
supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia.

Project Sprout
October 2006, Grafton
A digital technology training project which ran in conjunction with the 2006 NSW Women’s Gathering in Grafton. The project involved fifteen rural women, all of whom were looking to tool up and build their online skills to include new digital content creation. The participants were put together with seven industry mentors from the Northern Rivers region in a lab environment, with the 3 day Women’s Gathering providing a living case study for the women to film, photograph, audio record and report on. The online documentation of the Gathering now includes stories, films, podcasts and blogs, all the result of a single weekend's frenzied training and citizen journalism: 34 videos, 26 podcasts, 14 written articles and 48 images with stories all written, recorded and edited by the team.
Project Sprout website www.projectsprout.com.au
2006 NSW Women's Gathering website www.womensgathering2006.org.au
Feature story on the Arts Hub website here

I Like Monsters!
May 2006, Albury
Albury Regional Art Gallery now has a special gallery called Kidspace which is reserved for curated exhibitions aimed primarily at children. The first exhibition, Monsters, opened in May 2006. I Like Monsters was a series of workshops run by artist Suzi Losch at the gallery, with groups of Year 4–6 students from disadvantaged local schools who came to the gallery for a day and made monster masks from recycled materials. The project fostered a second exhibition, Round and Round and Round and Round, which looked at everything from wheels to planets to life cycles. The latest show, which is on until the end of December, is House, featuring a bird house installation and an interactive installation of cardboard houses. Self-directed activities are an integral part of the exhibitions and many families have begun to use the space regularly, making art and spending time together.
Website www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au
This project was made possible with funding from the Regional Arts NSW Country Arts Support Program (CASP)

Maternity Art Project joins hands
August - September 2006, Wallaga Lake
The Wallaga Lake Maternity Arts Project was a series of workshops using multimedia art techniques with mothers, children and extended family, with the aim of linking service providers - such as Koori Maternity Access Program, Greater Southern Area Health Service and Katungul Aboriginal Medical Service - with the community. Ceramicist and coordinator, Gabrielle Powell, ran two days of ceramic workshops and artist, Jude Walker, cast mothers' and children's hands. The project was so successful, with parents, children, uncles and grandparents engaged, that the Southern East Division of General Practice is very keen to implement a similar project from Wallaga Lake to Eden as a part of an Indigenous health program in 2007. Gabrielle and Jude were also invited to attend the Koori Women's Camp organised by Bega Women's Refuge to provide ceramics and other art activities for women and children.
Contact Gabrielle Powell Coordinator, Women's Resource Centre Email wrcbega@bigpond.com
This project was made possible with funding from the Regional Arts NSW Country Arts Support Program (CASP)

Art of a Flood
July, Wentworth
Art of a Flood was an arts exhibition held in conjunction with the Great Wentworth Tractor Rally (featuring 370 tractors in a 'mainstreet muster') at this year's Festival of the Flood in Wentworth, which commemorated 50 years since the infamous 1856 flood which nearly swept away the town. Organisers commissioned works from three artists for the show. Local Wentworth artist, Steve Hederics produced a series of drawings depicting the human commitment to save Wentworth from the flood; sculptor, Lyn Symes, created two tin 'Fergies' (grey Ferguson tractors) and 'wearable' artist, Anne Hederics designed several textile art works for the show. The exhibition was a highlight of the Festival activities and proved so popular it was extended by a week. Local primary schools also contributed to the Festival, creating calico street banners.
This project was made possible with funding from the Regional Arts NSW Country Arts Support Program (CASP)

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New Resources

VROOM: New resource for music touring
VROOM – or 'Venue Resource of Original Music – is a searchable online database that contains venue information including production, facilities and booking information for musicians and tour organisers in New South Wales. Musicians and music industry personnel can customise searches to suit their particular interests and needs. VROOM also includes a resource centre and an online forum for venues and the music industry. Venues listed range from hotels and clubs to restaurants, dried-up creek beds (!), ovals, entertainment centres, community halls and wineries. Gain information for tour planning and venues and access information about the latest touring gigs and artists. Free! Website www.vroom.musicnsw.com

Retaining Young People in Rural Towns & Communities: new Victorian report
Improving access to education, training, transport and employment opportunities are amongst the key recommendations of a new Victorian government inquiry into retaining young people in rural towns and communities. A member of the inquiry Committee said that many young people would like to stay in rural communities if they had a real choice. “The recommendations support increasing information and opportunities available to young people in rural Victoria,” he said. “We want to ensure that young people have the choice to stay or leave rural Victoria in order to lead a fulfilling life.” The report was released on 3 October and is available on the Parliament of Victoria website.
Contact Tel 03 9651 3580 Website www.parliament.vic.gov.au

National Association for the Visual Arts: new site
The National Association for the Visual Arts has recently renovated its website with an expanded members section, notice-board, advice centre and news desk. The new site includes a facility for artists to upload images, links, contact information and an artist's statement in the Artist Gallery, as well as blogs and discussion forums. The aim is for artists to exchange their own knowledge and experience with others, as well as keeping up with visual arts sector news, accessing research in the Reading Room, participating in NAVA campaigns and more. Website www.visualarts.net.au

2006 Biennale of Sydney Education Kit
A comprehensive education kit produced by the Biennale of Sydney now available for download from the Educational Hub of the Biennale of Sydney website. The kit includes questions for the classroom (K–6 and 7–12) as well as general information on Biennales, the Biennale of Sydney, and the themes and ideas behind the Zones of Contact exhibition of 2006. The work of twelve artists in the Biennale is featured, including quotes and information on their practice to accompany the classroom questions and activities. Contact Tel 02 9368 1411 Email art@biennaleofsydney.com.au Website www.bos2006.com/education/

Securing Successful Partnerships –
A Guide for Business and the Arts
A new guide produced by the Australian Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) to assist cultural organisations and business in developing partnerships. It uses a business case methodology as the basis for the training it offers to arts and cultural organisations. 72 pages + CD ROM. $35. Order the book and/or read the Introduction to the Guide online. Website www.abaf.org.au/communicationscentre/guides.html

Dare2Audition
A new membership based acting and audition resources site. Dare2Audition includes listings of auditions, agents, directors, photographers and more. Free basic membership provides access to an audition guide. Full members can upload head shots, bios and even a song. Directors and casting agents can access artist details and making bookings through the site and there is also an industry information section. Dare2Audition offers discounts for its members for acting and audition classes around Australia and its industry forum offers opportunities for artists to interact with their peers. Contact Helen Edwards Tel 02 6685 4950 Email actingup@dare2audition Website www.dare2audition.com

The Artists Meeting Place & Resource Collective: AMP
AMP is a physical and virtual worldwide collective of over 1,400 artists and art world professionals in 51 countries networking together. Boasting to "save you money and time, expand your creative network, consolidate and clarify information and open new doors," the AMP site allows members to browse through and contact members of the AMP community, read the international arts directory, access the benefits package, post events, enter into discussion boards, upload images, video, audio and more. Membership is free. Website pluginamp.com

Commissioning Public Art – A Guide For Local Government
A new resource developed by Arts SA with funding from the Local Government Research & Development Scheme. The aim is to provide a range of materials to assist Councils to successfully conceive and implement projects involving artists in the public realm. The content of the guidelines has been written by Arts SA's Public Art and Design team, informed by the extensive number of public art and design projects with which Arts SA has been involved over the past 20 years. Contact Julia Moretti Tel 08 8463 5447 Email moretti.julia@saugov.sa.gov.au Website www.lga.sa.gov.au/site

LGWORKS Online Local Government Council Finder
A new online resource that lets you locate a council by simply entering a city, town, or suburb name. Not only will you find contact details, location, who the mayor is, and what the population is for all the councils – you can also browse by state and list by metropolitan, regional, and remote councils. Offers the most up to date contact list of councils across Australia ... and it's free. Website www.lgworks.net.au

MCA Artist's Voice: New DVD set
A new collection of DVDs featuring Australian artists who have exhibited at the MCA discussing their work and artistic practice. The DVDs are a free educational aid for art enthusiasts and students of contemporary art. Website www.mca.com.au

Visitor Research Made Easy – New guide for exhibition spaces
A new guide to visitor research developed to meet the needs of museums, galleries and exhibition spaces. From informal observation to focus groups and questionnaires, Visitor Research Made Easy explores creative ways to manage this essential marketing activity. Provides tools to do effective research and then apply the findings in day-to-day marketing and promotion. Contact Cena Josevska, Australia Council for the Arts Tel 1800 226 912 Email c.josevska@ozco.gov.au  Website www.fuel4arts.com

Government & Communities in Partnership: Conference papers
The Governments and Communities in Partnership conference held in September 2006 brought together key policy makers, community leaders and researchers from around Australia, together with leading experts from the UK, Ireland, Austria, Canada, the United States and New Zealand. The aim of the program was to deepen the academic and policy debate about the impact and value of efforts to join-up different public services and related initiatives to strengthen communities. Papers from the conference are now online. Website www.public-policy.unimelb.edu.au

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What's On

CD release: Symptoms of Sound
1 November, Grafton
Advanced Diploma music students of 2006 from Grafton Campus of TAFE release their CD "Symptoms of Sound" at a special concert. The students have worked for the last 12 months to produce this outstanding album. Artists representing the emerging talent of the Clarence valley and surrounds will perform original songs from the album. There will be prizes during the evening. Market Square from 5:00pm. Contact Peter Howland Email howlandpeter@hotmail.com

The Mortons x3
Until 26 November, Cowra
Ann Morton, Glenn Morton and their father Ron Morton are three respected artists with reputations that reach far beyond their hometown of Cowra. This exhibition at Cowra Art Gallery is the first time that siblings Ann and Glenn Morton have exhibited major works in the same show. On 12 November at 2pm, Glenn and Ann will take the audience through the exhibition and discuss the works and techniques. Bookings essential.
Also at the Gallery: a selection of works by students from the Cowra TAFE Ceramics: Studio Techniques, Certificate II Program. Contact Cowra Art Gallery Tel 02 6340 2190 Email cowraartgallery@cowra.nsw.gov.au Website www.cowraartgallery.com.au/

In Living Memory
Until June 2007, Sydney
In June 1977 when the official records of the former NSW Aborigines Welfare Board were transferred to the protection of State Records, approximately 1,000 photographs of Aboriginal people, taken between 1919 and 1966, were discovered. In Living Memory is an exhibition based on these photographs and it includes images from Cootamundra, Brewarrina, Walgett, Pilliga, Moree and Wreck Bay. The collection includes images of children from the bush visiting Sydney for annual summer camps, wedding photos of couples getting married on reserves and stations throughout Western NSW and studio portraits of young Aboriginal women. The process of meeting with Indigenous communities to research, develop and present the exhibition has brought new life to these historical records that have survived. At the Sydney Records Centre, The Rocks. Tel 02 8247 8660 Website www.records.nsw.gov.au

Eden Whale Festival
2 – 5 November, Eden
A community event celebrating the annual migration of whales through the waters of Eden. Featuring wharf entertainment including Irish dancing, African drumming and Pirate Pete – a musical feast where you can rock on from 3pm till late. Saturday evening lights it up with a massive fireworks display. There is also a carnival, local art galleries and a street parade with bands, vintage cars and floats on Saturday morning. Contact Eden Gateway Visitor Information Centre Tel 02 64961953 Website www.edenwhalefestival.com

Law and Order
Until 26 November, Wagga Wagga
An exhibition that traces the development of regional police and court architecture from 1850–1920 through a collection of historic photographs. Drawing from the extensive archive held at Sydney's Justice and Police Museum, Law and Order explores family, social, local and architectural pasts through images of historic buildings and the gold, timber and mining settlements that grew to surround them. Includes an interactive database that holds 700 searchable entries on historic buildings and townships. Museum of the Riverina Tel 02 6925 2934 Website www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/museum

Sawtell International Film Festival
2 – 8 November, Sawtell
A feast of films in an exciting program that showcases the best of the year's international independent cinema. Some of the great films on offer include: 2:37 (Australia); Ballets Russes (USA-Russia), The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (USA) and Hidden (France). Tel 6653 3119 Website www.firstavecinema.com.au

Cellar in the Cells
3 – 4 November, Maitland
Experience the unique and iconic setting of Maitland Gaol and savour the finest food, wine and fashion that the Hunter has to offer. Features fashions created by up-and-coming young Hunter designers on 3 November. On 4 November, the public are encouraged to indulge in the glamour of the Roaring 40s at the Meet the Winemaker Black Tie Dinner. Contact Maitland Visitor Information Centre Tel 02 49312800.

Music in the Hunter Festival
3 – 5 November, Polkolbin
Showcasing the best in chamber music, with pre-concert talks and featuring some of Australia's greatest classical musicians, the Music in the Hunter Festival program includes internationally acclaimed members of the Goldner String Quartet performing Mozart and Shostakovich. They join their Australia Ensemble colleagues, eminent Australian pianist, Ian Munro, and clarinettist, Catherine McCorkill. Special guest artist oboist Diana Doherty, recognised as one of the greatest exponents of her instrument in the world today. Respected musicologist Professor Roger Covell will explain the finer points of the composers' works. The Festival kicks off with a champagne reception on Friday night, followed by an unforgettable weekend filled with fine music, food and wine. Contact Anna Cerneaz Tel 02 9362 5711 Email anna@cenika.com

Unearthed & Exposed
4 November, Bathurst
The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, home of the Somerville Collection presents an exhibition of works submitted to its inaugural fossil and mineral photographic competition, Unearthed and Exposed. In June this year the Museum challenged photo enthusiasts of all ages to get behind the lens of their cameras and explore the natural history of our planet. Entrants were invited to submit an image which either displayed evidence of the Earth’s geological history or captured the beauty of a fossil or mineral specimen. The result is an exciting exhibition that presents a survey of photographic work that delivers a fresh and exciting look at our natural world. 224 Howick St, Bathurst Tel 02 6331 5511 Email linda.Coleman@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

"These coprolites were dug by myself at Nundle NSW. Locals talked about pineapple stones to be found. I was lucky enough to dig a few, and later found they were coprolites (animal excreta) associated with land animals of the past 50 million years."

Shades of Dark & Light: Readings by Clarence Valley Writers & Poets
4 November, Grafton
The Clarence Valley Writers’ Network presents an afternoon of readings by writers based in the Clarence Valley: poetry, short stories and extracts from larger works. The event will conclude with afternoon tea and a chance to mingle with the writers. Entry by gold coin donation. 2.00pm–3.30pm Grafton Regional Gallery (courtyard or rear gallery). Contact Brendan Smith Tel 02 6641 7222 Email brendan.smith@clarence.nsw.gov.au Website www.clarence.nsw.gov.au

Land of the Beardies Festival
4 – 12 November, Glenn Innes
A Celtic themed event celebrating rich, local history of New England. The Land of the Beardies Festival offers a fun-packed program with Bearded Stockman Competition, street parades and market stalls, a top-ranking rodeo, fun run (and walk), Celtic bands, street parade, beard growing contest plus markets, arts & crafts, a poets' breakfast, bowls & golf tournaments and a teddy bears picnic for children. Contact Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre Tel 02 67302400. Website www.beardiesfestival.com

Lismore Symphony Orchestra
4 November, Ballina
12 November, Lismore
The LSO presents a concert of orchestral favourites, from well-known classics to movie themes: Star Wars and West Side Story; Mozart and Beethoven. Tickets available from La Boutique, River St Ballina; Alstonville Bookworm, Alstonville Plaza and Lismore Music Centre, Magellan St Lismore. Contact Tel 02 6628 5361

Cantabile and Friends: vocal concerts
5 November, Kendall
The excellent female vocal ensemble, Cantabile, holds its first major public concert in a program which ranges from jazz to classical with plenty of world and contemporary music in between. Cantabile will be joined by two young ensembles: iintombi zicula from St Columba Anglican School and Poco Belle Canto from Tacking Point Primary. 2pm Kendall Hall. Contact Nelly Tel 65843438 or Robyn Tel 65827857

The Sentimental Bloke
5 November, Bowraville
Bowraville Theatre presents what is considered to be Australia's greatest silent classic films, The Sentimental Bloke, made in 1919. Thanks to a large and lengthy restoration project, the film appears on our screens in all its original glory, bringing to life the poems and characters of CJ Dennis in a classic story of love and redemption. The screening will be accompanied by local Bowraville musicians, Yvonne Tredinnick and Sandra Kirk. This is a very rare opportunity to see the restored version of one of our nation’s finest films, presented in association with the Australian Film Commission. 2pm, Bowraville Theatre Tel 6564 8424.

Helfgott Shines
5 November, Bellingen
Fresh from a successful tour of Austria, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Italy, David Helfgott is back to perform at the Memorial Hall in Bellingen. Helfgott will play some of his favourite composers including Rachmaninov, Liszt, Chopin and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. A highlight will be a performance of the Poulenc Flute Sonata, a duet with flautist, Suzanne Sherrington, who was a finalist in the Helfgott Instrumental Scholarship at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium. Tickets $25/$20 from Coffs Music Centre or Harbour Kakadu Clothing. 3pm Contact Gillian Helfgott Tel 02 66550041 Email helfgott@wirefree.net.au

Donald Friend: A Charmed Life
9 November – 4 February 2007, Canberra
The most comprehensive exhibition ever on one of Australia’s most colourful artists. Donald Friend (1915–1989) was a painter, draughtsman, printmaker, sculptor, illustrator and writer as well as a traveller and satirist . His lifestyle attracted as much comment as his work. The exhibition is a biographical survey of Friend from his earliest known work until the 1980s. Containing 155 works from private collections and institutions, Donald Friend – A Charmed Life takes the viewer to Hill End, depicts Friend’s life as an official war artist, and traces his time in London, Ceylon and Bali and Sydney. At the National Library of Australia. Website www.nla.gov.au

An Inconvenient Truth
9 November, Laurieton
The Plaza Theatre presents activist cinema at its very best. An Inconvenient Truth is a passionate, inspirational look at Al Gore's fervent crusade to halt global warming by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. With humour and intelligence, Gore outlines the crucial steps that the world must take to avert impending disaster. 7pm at the Plaza Theatre, followed by supper. Tickets $10 in advance or on the door. Contact Jaci Cartwright Tel 6582 1009. 

Brother plays indie rock/world music
10 November, Coorabell
Brother's high energy, cross-cultural music is a synthesis of the Celtic and Indigenous roots of Australia. After 15 successful years touring and huge shows at the Interceltique Festival and Earthdance, this Indie Rock/World Music group with its distinctly Aussie sound has arrived back home. Brother is Hamish and Angus Richardson and Dalbo. An added attraction is Didge master Mark Atkins, who will be taking to the stage with the band at the Byron concert to set the didges vibrating. Contact Suzie Tel 66847 921 Email kupromo@bigpond.net.au Website www.brothermusic.com

Intersection
10 November, Wagga Wagga
Two years ago, Joel Markham exhibited a collection of photographs called The Wheel and now he is back with a second graphic design exhibition. With graphic design now inextricably linked to the world of commerce, Joel’s hope is that Intersection will serve as a reminder of the significance of the relationship between graphic design and art. At The HR Gallop Gallery, Charles Sturt University. Contact Joel Markham Tel 02 6921 3004 Email joelmarkham@dodo.com.au

Launch of the Boldrewood Literary Awards
11 November, Dubbo
The Inaugural Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards attracted 199 entries from all states except the Northern Territory and one from New Zealand. Those winners in attendance for the awards will receive their prize money and the coveted Boldrewood bust created by Wongarbon sculptor Brett Garling. Brett is regarded as one of Australia's best figurative sculptors and is now engaged on a major life-size commission of the Man from Snowy River. The day will also feature an auction of one Boldrewood bust. This is a once only opportunity for the non-writer to have a chance of acquiring a Boldrewood bust. From 3pm, Macquarie Regional Library. Contact Tel 02 6801 4510.

Crooked Mountain Concert
11 November, Warrumbungle National Park
Featuring Australian jazz duo String Man Sassy, Vince Jones and crowd-pleasers Didgeridoo Dingo in a concert under the stars. Bring a picnic or enjoy the food and wine stalls. Kids entertainment provided. Tickets $35/$30 Family $80 5.00pm. Tel 02 6825 4364.

Nutcracker – A Christmas Musical
19 – 20 November, Canberra
A great Christmas musical for the whole family based on the ballet by Tchaikovsky. On Christmas Eve, Clara defeats a rascally army of Mice, then travels with the Nutcracker Prince to the Land of Sweets where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and other yummy characters. Featuring the talented young performers from Music For Everyone’s Act Up Sing Out Junior Music Theatre Program. Sunday 19 November at 3pm and Monday 20 November at 7pm, Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon. Tickets at the door. Contact Tel 6230 7190 Email info@mfe.org.au Website www.mfe.org.au

Brendan McCumstie: Memory Holds a Claim to Truth
11 November – 7 January
An exhibition at the new Western Plains Cultural Centre. Brendan McCumstie is an emerging artist who lives and works in regional New South Wales. The exhibition explores McCumstie's fascination with collage. Predominantly metaphorical, the images reference memories and experiences at the same time as addressing current political and social issues. Contact the Western Plains Cultural Centre Tel 02 6801 4444 Website www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au

Barmaids by Katherine Thomson
16 November, Lismore
Starring Jane Clifton and Carmelina Di Gugielmo and directed by Terence O'Connell, with set and costume design by Judith Cobb, HIT Productions presents Barmaids, the story of two women working in a hotel in an Australian port town. New management puts their jobs in jeopardy as they see a new breed of Karaoke-singing, topless barmaids moving in on their territory. Katherine Thomson's well-known play looks at the challenges women face in terms of relationships, love and ageing. 8pm at the Star Court Theatre Lismore $25/$20. Contact Tel 02 6622 0300 Website www.norpa.org.au

Arabesk plays gypsy soul music
18 November, Coorabell
Experience the fire and passion of Gypsy Soul music with some of Australia's top musicians. Arabesk fuses intoxicating global grooves of hypnotic rhythms laced with the lushness of violins and guitars. Their music ranges from the back streets of Eastern Europe to the bustling bazaars of Turkey. Come and put some Gypsy in your soul. 7.30pm Coorabell Hall. Tickets $16/$14 at the door. Contact Suzie Tel 66847 921 Email kupromo@bigpond.net.au

Macleay Valley Arts Council Inferno Ball
18 November, Kempsey
The theme for this year's 10th anniversary ball is Club Inferno: Welcome to hell. Yes sinners! You guessed it! We are going to cross to the dark side and make a journey to the centre of the earth to keep a date with a guy with many faces and many names – ‘you know who’! The MVAC Ball is a night of extravagance, music, dance and performance at the Kempsey Showground Pavilion. Contact Jodie Sherrin Tel 02 6562 7255.

The month at Lismore Regional Gallery
Until 18 November, Lismore
Robyn Sweaney's House Beautiful – Exploring the notion of the home as a symbol for memory and life expectations. Gallery 1
Zom: Stories of my Second Life – Zom's dreamlike works are about an idea that we have an inner life, which is the journey of the soul. Gallery 2
Rupert Bunny, Lucent Light – Containing 15 works by one of Australia's best-loved Australian Impressionists. Gallery 3.
Tel 02 6622 2209 Email artgallery@lismore.nsw.gov.au Website www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/gallery

Making Allowances
18 November, Bowraville
A once only performance of this adult drama which examines relationships between mothers and daughters across continents and holds a family secret at its centre. Written by Bowraville playwright, Carroline Rhodes, Making Allowances was the winner of the Audience Choice Award at the Noosa One Act Play Festival and it features three actors from the Vagina Monologues. The production begins with a performance by the Bowraville Theatre Singers and is followed by the launch of the Nambucca Valley Writers Group 2007 diary. Tickets $15 from Bowraville Theatre, The Little Banana Bowraville, Harvey World Travel Nambucca Heads and Network's Leading Edge Music in Macksville. Performance at 3pm. Tel 02 6564 7808.

Domain
30 November – 17 December, Canberra
Ten artists will exhibit work ranging from traditional sculpture to contemporary works and performance. Selected artists include Bella Wells, Tim Spellman, Michael Lewarne, Geoffrey Farquhar Still, Elvis Richardson, Janet Meaney, Charlie Sofo, Dan Stewart-Moore, Alexandra Gillespie and Alex Asch. In addition there will be projections by Canberra art group BEAM at random locations in Alinga Street throughout the exhibition period. Opening 30 November 6pm in Alinga Street. Contact Cathy Laudenbach Tel 0413 301 917

Prints, Paintings, Pastels
23 November – 31 December, Port Macquarie
Meet the ‘Co-Art’ team Carmel Lewis, Jill Henderson, Sheree Munday, Chris Rigley and visiting artist Veronique Bosshard at their latest exhibition of contemporary fine artworks, showing at the Everglades Gallery in Port Macquarie. You are invited to come and celebrate Everglades' Grand Re-Opening on 23 November at 6pm with wine and light refreshments. Contact Tel 6583 4182 Email art@evergladesgallery.com Website www.evergladesgallery.com

Colin Fenn & Merilyn Rice Exhibition
24 November – Christmas, Bathurst
The largest privately owned gallery in the Central West, L&S Gallery & Framing, presents an exhibition of sculptures and paintings by the noted local sculptor, Colin Fenn, and his sister, Merilyn Rice, who has run art classes nurturing local talent for many years. They will be joined by their respective daughters, Kate Fenn and Rebekah Rice. Opening 24 November 6pm Tel 02 6332 6709.

The Cat Empire
25 November, Mullumbimby
Your last chance to see the hugely popular Cat Empire for at least 18 months. The band will be touring with a Sitar player, The Empire Horns, and an international support. This is the only all ages show between Sydney and the Sunshine Coast, outdoors at the Mullumbimby Leagues Grounds. Gates open 6pm for Show at 8pm. Tickets on sale now $45/35 from All Music and Vision and selected music stores. Contact Ku Promotions Tel 66 847 921 Email kupromo@bigpond.net.au Website www.musichead.com.au or www.thecatempire.com

The month at Grafton Regional Gallery
Until 3 December
On Cattapan: Journal Forms and Carbon Groups: Drawings by 2004 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA) winner Jon Cattapan.
$20,000 2006 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award: The biennial flagship for the Grafton Regional Gallery (see News)
Acquisitions from the JADA: The winner and acquisitions from 2004 JADA, with past winners and acquisitions from the Award.
Zaishu: Works by young people from Yamba and Maclean who collaborated with acclaimed artist Emma Bowman in the Zaishu Project held at the 2006 Surfing the Coldstream festival.
Westlawn Pre School: From Little Things Big Things Grow: Reflecting the natural relationship young children have with their environment.
Contact Grafton Regional Gallery Cher Breeze Tel 02 6642 3177 Website www.graftongallery.nsw.gov.au

The Messiah
7 – 17 December, Wodonga
HotHouse Theatre presents a perfect night of theatre to welcome in the silly season. Two incompetent, over-ambitious amateur actors attempt to produce the ultimate Christmas story with an over-zealous opera singer and very little else. The results are hilarious as the cast's artistic ambition is compromised by their lack of resources, but ultimately realised thanks to their unlimited optimism and spirit. "Ridiculously funny yet gloriously exhilarating" said The Guardian in 1983. This joyful revival from Albury Wodonga's acclaimed HotHouse Theatre is that and more. At The Hume Building Society Butter Factory Theatre Wodonga. Tickets $37/$25, RedHot Youth Rush standby tickets at the door for under 26s, $15. Contact HotHouse Theatre Tel 02 6021 7433 Email info@hothousetheatre.com.au

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Grants, Fellowships + Residencies

Murray Conservatorium scholarships
Murray Conservatorium offers scholarships of $10 000 for study in 2007, providing half fees for individual tuition in piano, brass, strings, woodwind, guitar, percussion and voice. Students up to and including 18 years of age studying classical or contemporary styles are encouraged to apply. Also available: the Bill Kell Memorial Scholarship which provides full fees for study in voice and is open to singers aged 18–25 years. This will afford a young adult singer the opportunity to participate in the region's leading choir. Auditions 18 November. Recipients will be invited to perform at the award concert on 8 December. Contact Peter Lynch Tel 02 6041 4249.
Closing 3 November

Performance Space Residency Program 2007
Performance Space's Residency Program invites independent artists, artistic teams and companies to submit proposals for projects, housed in our new venue at the Carriageworks in the Eveleigh Railyards. The Program uses in-house resources to support the research and creative development of new work. From March–November 2007, Performance Space is offering four residencies. This program has a strong history of supporting artists to realise the potential of new ideas and forms. To discuss your project Contact Fiona Winning, Sally Breen or Lily Shearer Tel 02 9698 7235. Website www.performancespace.com.au
Closing 8 November

2007 Russell Page Fellowship for Contemporary Dance
Offering up to $10 000 to support the development of an emerging or mid-career professional dancer. In keeping with Russell' s sense of openness and adventure, the criteria for the Fellowship are flexible. Applicants are asked to propose projects that will advance their careers and/or practice. This may include support for travel or development support for specific projects. Tel 0419 692 905 Email jd@puncture.net.au
Website www.ausdancensw.com.au
Closing 10 November

Tertiary Scholarships for Young Indigenous Australians
The Foundation for Young Australians offers young Indigenous tertiary students the Indigenous Youth Leadership Programme (IYLP) tertiary scholarship. Scholarships of up to $6,000 are available for higher education course fees to young Indigenous Australians from remote areas studying at a tertiary level .Various opportunities will also be offered to IYLP scholars for the development of leadership skills, work experience and more! Universities and communities are encouraged to identify and assist eligible students to apply. Contact The Foundation Tel 03 9670 5436 Website www.youngaustralians.org
Closing 13 November

Arts NSW: 7th City of the Arts Program 2007 – 2009
Arts NSW invites country councils to become the Seventh City of the Arts. Every two years a country centre is designated as the City of the Arts. Previous Cities of the Arts include: The Blue Mountains, Broken Hill, Armidale, Port Macquarie, Tweed Shire and Maitland. Under the Seventh City of the Arts Program, the designated centre and its local government authorities receive assistance of up to $150,000 per year for 2 years to:
coordinate a two year program of cultural activities and projects
strengthen existing arts services and resources in the community
stimulate the development of an active arts community in the region
Possible applicants are strongly advised to first discuss the program with Arts NSW. Contact Michael Goss Tel 02 9228 4743 Website www.arts.nsw.gov.au
Closing 17 November

Tasmanian Writers Centre Island of Residencies Program 2007
Published writers from all around Australia are invited to apply for the 2007 Tasmanian Writers Centre Island of Residencies program. Residencies are available between March and November for writers who have published work on any subject, in any form. Successful applicants will be provided with travel and accommodation expenses, a $400 fee for presenting a writing workshop and $100 per week towards living costs. Website www.tasmanianwriters.org
Closing 30 November

National Film & Sound Archive: research fellowships
The National Film & Sound Archive's (NFSA) Centre for Scholarly and Archival Research (CSAR) seeks applications from established researchers and audiovisual practitioners for its inaugural Research Fellowships. Senior academics, scholars, writers, filmmakers, artists and archival professionals from Australia and overseas are encouraged to apply. The fellowships involve a residency at the NFSA in Canberra where Fellows can use the Archive's collections to stimulate or inform an academic publication, a new sound or moving image work, or a live event. Website www.nfsa.afc.gov.au/csar
Closing 30 November

NSW FTO Aurora Script Workshop
Primarily aimed at teams of mid level or experienced filmmakers with well developed scripts which have reached at least 2nd draft stage, the Aurora Script Workshop supports up to 4 projects per year through an intensive residential script workshop and development process. The program also assists producers with marketing their films to international and Australian financiers. Scripts need to be well developed and in second draft stage. A director and producer must be attached as well as the writer, and other team collaborations are also acceptible. One member of the team may reside outside New South Wales. Contact Harriet McKern Aurora Tel 02 9264 6400 Email mckernh@fto.nsw.gov.au Website www.fto.nsw.gov.au
Closing 11 December

Next Wave Festival: Kickstart 2007
Regional NSW applicants are invited to apply for Kickstart, Next Wave Festival's major development activity. Taking place in the non-festival year, Kickstart projects are developed with a view towards inclusion in the following year's Next Wave Festival in Victoria. Kickstart projects are eligible to apply for up to $5,000. Kickstart participants also undertake a monthly program of workshops covering all aspects of project development, from creative development to budgeting, marketing and more. The 2007 program will occur from January to August, and finish with a showing of the work-in-progress. Contact Jeff Khan, Artistic Director Tel 03 9662 1099 Email jeff@nextwave.org.au Website www.nextwave.org.au
Closing 15 December

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ANPC New Dramatists Award 2006–2007
The Australian National Playwrights’ Centre is offering an Australian playwright the chance to go to New York to the New Dramatists Studio. The winner will have their work read to an audience of producers, directors and agents; be introduced to ‘the right people’ in the theatre scene; and see some inspiring shows on and off Broadway. The award includes airfares, accommodation and living expenses for a 3 week stay. Writers must have had at least one play produced to enter and must be members of the ANPC. The Award is supported by the Literature Board of the Australia Council. Contact Tel 02 9555 9377 Email info@anpc.org.au
Closing 17 November

Brightest Young Minds
21–25 January 2007
The Brightest Young Minds Foundation aims to inspire the up-and-coming generation of Australians to have greater social responsibility and contribute to the common good of Australian society, based on the belief that the general lack of involvement in social causes is due to the fact that people don't believe that they as an individual can impact the big issues. Brightest Young Minds inaugural 5 day summit will be a gathering of 100 brightest, most dynamic young adults – those most likely to have great impact in the arts, sport or politics. The summit draws a connection between youth who have a passion for making a difference and the leading corporations who have the resources necessary to make social impacts. Applications for the 2007 Summit are now open. All delegates will receive access to a 12 month online Harvard University business course. Contact Tel 02 9371 4603 Email info@bym.com.au Website www.bym.com.au
Closing 20 November

ShoutOut youth art challenge
ShoutOut Youth Magazine is looking for new talent to submit material for its next 4 editions. A themed challenge will be published and artists up to the age of 25 are invited to submit a work drawn from painting, drawing, computer graphics, sculpture or composite. Each piece will be judged on its ability to meet the theme, the use of the media and the individual flair and talent exhibited. Judges will shortlist and pieces will be displayed at a public night. Winner receives $100 cash and loads of kudos. Theme One: Telephone. Exhibition is at the Music Cafe, New School of Arts. Entries submitted at ShoutOut, New School of Arts, South Grafton and Ferry Park Gallery, Maclean. Contact Tel 02 6643 4988 Email cvyouthmag@yahoo.com.au
Closing 24 November

Cowra Art Gallery's Youth Art Awards
Cowra Machinery Centre and Forbes Machinery Centre are this year's major sponsors for the Third Youth Art Awards Competition and Exhibition for regional youth in years 10, 11 and 12, which will take place at the Gallery from 2–16 December. Students are eligible to enter one work each, in any medium, to compete for prizes and awards to the value of $2,200. All works will be hung in the exhibition and will be judged by renowned sculptor Bert Flugelman. Winners will be announced at the Opening Reception of the exhibition on 24 November, doors open 6:15pm. All works are due at the gallery by 5pm that day. Contact Tel 02 6340 2190 Email cowraaartgallery@cowra.nsw.gov.au Website www.cowraartgallery.com.au
Closing 24 November

Erotic Art Prize
Australia’s first national erotic art prize was launched in 2005 through a partnership between AdultShop.com and ARTRAGE, with the award going to Linda Erceg’s Punch Line. Adultshop.com is now calling for proposals for an exhibition that will feature works shortlisted for the second Erotic Art Prize of $10,000 which will occur in Perth, Western Australia in March 2007. New and existing works of an erotic nature will be considered. Artist fees for selected works will be provided to assist with the transport of works. Website www.art.adultshop.com
Closing 1 December

McGregor Prize for Photography
The McGregor Prize for Photography provides opportunities for entrants to win substantial prize money for photographs on an open theme. In 2007 this competition will be in its 24th year and offers prize money of $4,500 (First Prize $2,500). Acquisitive. Website www.usq.edu.au/mcgregor/photo
Closing 1 December

Miles Franklin Literary Award
The annual Miles Franklin Literary Award, now worth $42,000, is one of the most illustrious events on the Australian literary calendar.The award supports the advancement, improvement and better betterment of Australian Literature to improve the educational style of authors. The Prize is awarded for the novel of the year which is of “the highest literary merit and which must present Australian life in any of its phases”. Novels submitted must have been published in the year of entry of the Award. Website www.trust.com.au
Closing 8 December

The Sovereign Asian Art Prize
Offering a first prize of US$25,000, the Sovereign Asian Art Prize was established by The Sovereign Art Foundation to give recognition to both established and emerging artists in the Asia–Pacific region. Entries are judged by a panel of art experts and professionals from the region and an exhibition of the top 30 entries is also held. There is also a special prize awarded to the painting which receives the most votes from the public. Website www.sovereignartfoundation.com
Closing 31 December

2007 Glover Prize
A $30,000 acquisitive prize for a a titled landscape painting of Tasmania. (Seascapes and cityscapes are accepted within the definition of 'landscape', which is to be understood broadly and is not intended as a limitation on style.) The winner also receives a marquette bronze sculpture of John Glover by Peter Corlett, valued at $4,000. All other exhibited entries will be eligible for the Greg Waddle People's Choice award of $3,000. Contact Tel 03 6391 8981 Email info@johnglover.com.au Website www.johnglover.com.au
Closing 19 January 2007

3rd Annual Mudgee Short Film Festival: The Elliot Rocke Mudfest
The Mudgee Short Film Festival is again open for entries. Last year's Mudfest attracted over 200 entries from right across the globe with four international entries shown. Up to 1,000 people are expected to attend in 2007. Film entries are free and are open to any genre, but they must be no longer than 15 minutes. Mudfest has a total prize pool of over $3,000 in cash and prizes and screens on 17 March 2007. Website www.mudfest.com.au
Closing January 31 2007

2007 Young Jazz Players Competition
Entries have officially opened for the 2007 Young Jazz Players Competition, which is held as part of the Clarence by the Water Jazz Festival in February. First Prize $1,000 plus an opportunity for public performance experience and profile-building for young musicians. The competition is open to musicians and singers under the age of 21. Entrants need to supply an entry tape or CD, including one 12 bar blues and one jazz standard track. Contact Lyndall Edwards Tel 03 6245 8651.
Closing 31 January 2007

Prometheus Visual Arts Award
An acquisitive