Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
May 2014
Arts Queensland’s monthly update of arts and culture
In this May issue of Arts Update read about Queensland’s latest arts success stories from a south east Queensland school championing design thinking to some of north Queensland’s Indigenous art centres taking on Australian Indigenous Fashion Week. Gain insight into how the Government’s Super Star fund is having a lasting impact on our state’s arts industry and how Queensland artists are being showcased in Asia. Actors Courtney Stewart, Ellen Bailey and Lauren Jackson (The Witches) add to the drama of Queensland Theatre Company’s Macbeth. Photography: Rob Maccoll.
Great state. Great opportunity. 1
Message from the
Minister for the Arts
Welcome to the MAY issue of Arts Update.
Queensland Ballet has continued its upward trajectory with Coppelia, its first main stage work for the year reaching 97 percent capacity. The company is looking forward to another stellar season with its Super Star production of Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet opening on 27 June. The production has already reached more than 65 percent of its box office targets with more than 12,000 people expected to see performances.
Queensland’s arts and cultural life is going from strength to strength with the popularity of recent arts offerings testament to the quality product of our arts organisations. With support from the Super Star Fund, Queensland Theatre Company’s (QTC) recent Macbeth collaboration with Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe and internationallyrenowned director Michael Attenborough resulted in QTC’s highest selling show since 1993. The production sold more than 15,000 tickets across 23 performances, speaking volumes about Queenslanders’ appetite for world class events.
QPAC’s announcement of The Lion King season opening later this year led to a rush on ticket sales, which saw production company Disney having to add a further 48 shows for the Brisbane season to cater for demand.
2
To top off this incredible run of arts events, the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) achieved outstanding ticket sales for Cai Guo-Qiang’s Falling Back to Earth exhibition. This unique exhibition closed earlier this month as one of the most popular ticketed exhibitions ever staged at the gallery attracting more than 228,600 visitors.
Earlier this month the Premier and I unveiled the draft Master Plan for the Cultural Precinct at Brisbane’s South Bank. This plan sets out the government’s vision to guide future development and investment over the next 20 years in and around the precinct. I invite everyone to provide feedback on the draft plan and have your say by visiting http:// bit.ly/1tcAsgS
With cultural tourism a priority in the Arts for all Queenslanders strategy, it’s worthwhile celebrating the successes in tickets sales which are just a few examples of how the arts and cultural sector is affirming itself as a key player in the state’s tourism drive.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Arts Update which profiles more success stories including everything from Indigenous Fashion Week to a local school working with an Artist in Residence. The Honourable Ian Walker MP Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
Premier Campbell Newman and Arts Minister Ian Walker launch the draft Cultural Precinct Master Plan. 3
Design thinking lead s to school communit y garden Students at Pimpama State Secondary College (PSSC) are tackling big issues such as the social and environmental implications of land development, ownership and urban sprawl thanks to a project funded by Arts Queensland’s Artist in Residence (AIR) program.
The aim is to have the students grow their own fruit and vegetables as a way of understanding design thinking and how it can meet a community need. The project also allows for further development with plans to manage fish in an aquaponics system, introduce native bees to propagate the plants and perhaps even host a market stall with the produce as a way of engaging with community.
Led by passionate teacher Adam Jefford, Head of Creative Industries at PSSC, the students worked with Gold Coast-based designer Tristan Schultz through a design thinking process over the course of six months to develop a project to engage with and build local community. The outcome of this project design process was a community garden that is now becoming a reality.
Adam says the AIR program enabled the school to meet a need that they had identified in their community. “We saw a need for discussion around what a community is and how the students can engage with a space that changes and develops almost daily,” he explains.
The school’s introduction of a Design Excellence Program this year saw an opportunity for Adam to fast track his students through the process of designing, developing and eventually building an organic school garden.
“It was important to us to have an artist/designer as project lead who worked in our area to help us model and promote career pathways and this was certainly achievable with Tristan Schultz based on the Gold Coast.”
PSSC students build the AIR led community garden. Photos courtesy PSSC.
4
Steve Rowell, Principal of Jacob’s Well Environmental Education Centre, with Designer in Residence Tristan Schultz talking to students about native plans and their importance to the Indigenous people of the area.
Tristan, an interdisciplinary designer, strategist and researcher, aimed to work with students through design thinking processes critically informed by ecological and social responsibilities to build alternative scenarios for the Pimpama community.
Adam says the AIR grant allowed the high level of immersion and tangible outcomes achieved with the community garden and also provided helpful credentials to attract partners and supporters for the project. He comes to the project with great design credentials as a Smithsonian (Cooper-Hewitt) Design Museum Fellow and working closely with the State Library of Queensland’s Design Minds initiative.
He is keen to acknowledge the wider imperatives of the project and points out that the community garden is just one physical outcome of the long term initiative.
“We believe design skills will be prized in the 21st Century economy and a successful individual needs to develop and cultivate these essential life skills,” Adam says.
“This project is the culmination of 12 months of design thinking, though cognitive mapping, design fictions and scenario building,” Tristan explains. “It enabled the students to arrive at understanding of the garden as part of a larger picture of complexity associated with future sustainment limitations.”
For more information on the Artist in Residence program visit http:// www.arts.qld.gov.au/policy/ artists-residence.html For more information on the PSSC Design Thinking community garden project visit: https:// pimpamassc.eq.edu.au/ creativeindustries
Tristan worked with the children throughout all stages of the project and will also run a twoday workshop in the near future to develop another potential design project for the school to achieve. The AIR funding is also allowing for internationally recognised designer Tom Allen and the Asia Pacific Design Library to work with the students to further explore design thinking.
G ro
5
w in gp of a ub l ic va rts cul t and lue ure
Queensland’s outback red dirt AQ’s Kathy Treichel and Kate Edmiston visit Flinders Shire
Arts for all Qu
insigh
The Arts for all Queenslanders strategy invites engagement through its online platform at http://www.arts.qld.gov.au/ blog/ Learn more about how arts organisations, governments, businesses, learning institutions and households are helping to strengthen and grow arts and culture in Queensland through the compelling stories told on the blog.
‘Contact Inc leaves a substantial body of work and (several) generations of gifted practitioners as incitement for regeneration.’ http://www.arts.qld.gov.au/blog/ index.php/winding-up/ Staying afloat – supporting healthy communities through the arts – key messages of a paper published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare which examined the benefits of arts programs in supporting healthy communities with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. www.arts. qld.gov.au/blog/index.php/ supporting-healthy-communities/
The Art of Dying? Jo Besley, former member of the Contact Inc. board discusses the decision making leading to the closing of the 20 year old company in her post Winding Up. Jo writes, 6
Arts Queensland is committed to engaging directly with the 59 regional councils around the state to streamline the Regional Arts Development Fund to better meet the needs of local councils and their communities.
its networked, entrepreneurial approach to arts activation, as a hybrid centre of creative production. The team met with Cobb+Co Museum, Regional Art Gallery, and high street based creative studios, The GRID and RAYGUN. Toowoomba hosts 14 gallery spaces, studio businesses and laneways and is attracting the interstate and international arts circuit.
A group of Arts Queensland officers recently clocked up five days travel across thousands of kilometres from Townsville to Mt Isa going to seven communities for 14 meetings and making amazing connections and opportunities to discuss regional engagement and local government partnerships.
Arts Queensland will continue to visit Queensland regions over the coming months and the team is looking forward to connecting with more passionate arts and cultural workers through the state.
They also visited Toowoomba and found a region that is becoming recognised through
ueenslanders
ht and experience Bush TV’s Tom Hearn writes about the After the Flood project, part of Creative Regions’ Afloat Creative Recovery Program. The project focuses on digital story telling as a tool to support personal and community resilience. Tom writes, ‘This digital storytelling project was accepted by the community because many participants utilise social media in their everyday lives, as well as during critical phases of the flood event.’ http://www.arts.qld.gov. au/blog/index.php/after-theflood/
of establishing a new and independent creative space for dance in Goodna. Claire writes, ‘Why was Mill Street Studios established? There was demand – I had taught at the dance school for 8 years and had built a great relationship with the students.’ Queensland applications to the Australia Council – the facts! An Arts Queensland perspective on Queensland applications to the Australia Council inviting readers to share their application experiences – the response on Facebook in particular indicates the importance of the issues raised in this post.
Brisbane choreographer Claire Marshall describes the process 7
MAAP looks
S t re c o m ng t he n me r cia ent r e p re l a n d ne u r ia l ca p a cit y
beyond the horizon The latest international touring offering by Brisbane’s Media Art Asia Pacific (MAAP), featuring two Queensland artists, has wowed gallery goers in Seoul, Korea, and is now showing in Shanghai before it heads home to Brisbane later this year. LANDSEASKY, showcasing video artworks from more than 20 international contemporary artists, was funded through Arts Queensland’s Projects and Programs Fund.
“The Shanghai leg of the exhibition tour was very well received and has subsequently been extended for an additional two weeks. There has been great media interest in the exhibition from print, online and broadcast media including Artforum China,” she says.
The exhibition continues MAAP’s approach to cross-cultural exchange bringing together artists from Australia, Asia and Europe.
“Paul and Craig both brought outstanding work to the exhibition. Paul Bai's video installation was a talking point for press particularly in Shanghai where his approach to the medium was well appreciated.
Queensland-based artists Paul Bai and Craig Walsh are featured alongside other notable Australian artists such as Barbara Campbell, Lauren Brincat and Derek Krekler.
“Having exhibited in Korea several times, Craig’s return added resonance to the understanding of his practice as he presented an extraordinary high definition animation using time lapse photography that offered a different view into an Australian landscape.
LANDSEASKY was developed around the theme of the horizon line and how in its simplest form, the horizon can be represented as a single line across a plane or page. This theme provided a starting point for the artists to explore our perception of the world.
“There are now plans to see the exhibition also tour to Sydney along with the production of a catalogue documenting the ten venues that partnered in the exhibition.”
MAAP Director Kim Machan says exhibitions such as this are important as they increase the profile of Queensland and Australian artists and art practices to international audiences and foster important industry relationships.
For further information visit http://www.maap.org.au
Now showing in Shanghai, China until 29 June 2014. LANDSEASKY will open in Brisbane from 18 September until 16 November 2014. 8
Queensland Indigenous artists
tackle the fashion world A fashionable new business opportunity is emerging from North Queensland with one of the region’s Indigenous Art Centres showing of their latest fashion and accessory designs at the inaugural Australian Indigenous Fashion Week (AIFW) in Sydney last month.
work in the Kinship exhibition as part of CIAF Presents last year,” says Pam. “We’ll be working with Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) again this year to include and collaborate with North Queensland art centres in the textiles forum and fashion performance as part of this year’s program.
Both Erub and Yalanji Indigenous Art Centres in Queensland’s north have been exploring opportunities in textile design and printing for some time with involvement and support from the Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA).
“Erub and Yalanji’s involvement in this first AIFW was a great chance for the art centres to meet and be seen by the top designers and fashion houses with the possibilities of signing contracts to supply designs.
Erub Arts took on the Fashion Week event undaunted exhibiting their wares both in a trade booth and taking on the runway to showcase fashion and accessories.
“It was great to be able to learn more about the fashion and design world, understand how the industry works and take learnings from that in getting their product out there.”
Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA) Manager Pam Bigelow says although Yalanji Arts Centre attended AIFW to observe this year, both Erub and Yalanji are very self-motivated and have been working towards launching their fashion and textile ranges for several years now.
Pam is looking forward to widening the opportunities for other Indigenous art centres in this space by sharing information and contacts across the art centre network. For further information contact IACA http://www.iaca.com.au/
“It was great to see both centres exhibit their textile and design
Front row at AIFWS: (L–R) Melanie Katsalidis from Pieces of Eight, Diann Lui, Florence Gutchen and Racy Pitt from Erub Arts
9
Queenslanders
Fluff ab
A children’s show about a lan international hit for a trio of Q Developed by Christine Johnston, Lisa O’Neil and Peter Nelson, Fluff is a children’s show with universal appeal for all ages. The show had a run in Los Angeles and New York this month, followed by sold-out performances in Chicago as part of the Humanities Festival. Fluff moves on to Hong Kong in July as part of the International Arts Carnival. The production received Arts Queensland funding in 2012 to attend and perform at the International Performing Arts for Youth Conference in Philadelphia, USA in 2013. This paved the way for touring Fluff in 2014 and beyond.
10
bout all around the world
nd of lost toys has been an Queensland performers. Fluff had its start as part of Queensland’s landmark Out of the Box Children’s Festival at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the only festival in Australia dedicated to children eight years and under. This year’s Out of the Box festival runs from 25 June to 2 July. http://www.outoftheboxfestival.com.au/
Ret ur and ns on inv cultu arts r est me al nt
Christine Johnston, Lisa O’Neil and Peter Nelson take Fluff to the world stage. 11
g t he n Stren ourism l ra t cul t u
Jason Klarwein as Macbeth and Tama Matheson as Banquo in Macbeth. Photography: Rob Maccoll. 12
a super star success When the Government’s Super Star Fund was announced in 2012 it was hoped the fund would help to grow Queensland’s cultural tourism by enabling more worldclass performances and featuring international performers. The aim was to also encourage flow on professional development opportunities for Queensland artists in working with those at the top of their fields.
ensemble. I’m also sure that the physicality of the performance was a high point for many audience members. Q. What do you think the lasting benefits of Michael Attenborough’s involvement will be to QTC and Grin & Tonic? QTC chose a Super Star director, rather than a big name actor, because we believe it will have a long lasting impact on theatre practice in Queensland, not just for our companies. Our cast of 16 and team of creatives worked intimately with a world-class director, an experience that will help shape their practice in future years. It also meant we could offer opportunities to students and other actors from around the state to join in masterclasses, lectures and workshops sharing Michael’s invaluable knowledge with them.
Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) and Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe’s collaboration to deliver a production of Macbeth directed by internationally acclaimed Michael Attenborough definitely delivered on these goals. Super Star funding assisted QTC in securing the direction of Michael and the production was QTC’s most popular since 1993. More than 15,000 tickets were sold across the 23 performances of this Australian exclusive.
We hope that we can continue to provide more incredible opportunities like this to Queensland actors and creatives in the future.
QTC’s Executive Director Sue Donnelly talks about Macbeth’s successes and the ongoing benefits of collaborating with a super star.
Q. Why the decision to collaborate with Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe on this production?
Q. This production of Macbeth was QTC’s most popular show since 1993. Why do you think this show was so well received?
QTC has a commitment to working with small to medium companies in Queensland. We very much value the contribution of Grin & Tonic to education, especially in regional areas. Without them, many young people would not be exposed to the theatre and we would miss out on many talented actors, designers and creatives who have been shown the power of theatre by a school visit by Grin & Tonic.
Macbeth was a strategic combination of an internationally renowned director, Michael Attenborough, supported by a large and impressive cast of local actors and very talented creatives. The striking set of a dark, imposing forest and the simple but evocative costumes, all designed by Simone Romaniuk, created a heightened sense of drama. Further the intense soundscape by Phil Slade and extremely theatrical lighting by David Walters extended the mood of the play. Jason Klarwein and Veronica Neave as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth delivered exceptional performances night after night, supported by a carefully picked and attractive
Secondly, we wanted to work with them to celebrate their 40th anniversary, a fantastic achievement. Finally, Grin & Tonic, through Jason Klarwein, had a personal relationship with Michael Attenborough which assisted in his decision to work for us in Brisbane. 13
RESOURCES AND F RESOURCES UPDATE Flying Arts Alliance: How to find the money for a project or event Securing funding and finding sponsorship for an art project or event can be a tough job. While it is tempting to take a scatter gun approach to fundraising and see what comes back, a little more method in the madness might increase your chances of success. This workshop identifies and discusses the different areas of funding opportunities that are available, outlining a clear step by step process to identify and target potential sponsors and partners. Like most things, a carefully considered and targeted approach will likely yield more benefits than an unplanned last minute rush. With a bit of forethought and a good plan, securing the support you need may not be as hard as you think. Stephen Clark presents the workshop at Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley on Sunday 8 June 2014 from 10 am to 4 pm Cost: $55 ($45 for members) BYO Lunch. More information and registration: www.flyingarts.org.au/ brisbaneworkshops Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Limited Performers’ Trust Foundation Grants Established in 1975, the PPCA Performers’ Trust Foundation provides grants to promote and encourage music and the performing arts. The grants provided are non-recurring (i.e. one-off grants rather than a periodical payment). Closing date: Ongoing (applications are considered at three monthly meetings). For further information: http:// www.ppca.com.au/ppca-about-us/ppca-performers-trust-foundation/ NAVA – The Freedman Foundation Travelling Scholarship for Emerging Artists The Freedman Foundation Travelling Scholarship for Emerging Artists provides assistance towards travel (for educational purposes) and/ or tuition costs for young people building a career in the visual arts broadly in the areas of painting, photography or sculpture. Four candidates will be awarded $5,000 each (excluding GST). Applications to travel overseas (preferably for the first time) to undertake formal study, a residency or a planned program with a professional artist or mentor will be considered, as will informal study for a planned research project. Applications must submitted online by 5pm Monday 23 June 2014. For further information and to apply go to http://www.visualarts. net.au/grants John T Reid Charitable Trusts The John T Reid Charitable Trusts are a national funding organisation with a wide ranging commitment to philanthropy around Australia. For arts and cultural heritage, the Trustees’ focus is often to enable equitable access to the arts for disadvantaged people and providing arts programs in rural or remote communities. This will often involve projects that focus on community education. The preservation and understanding of Australia’s cultural heritage is also the focus of many projects funded. New enquiries can be made after 3 June 2014. For further information: http://www.johntreidtrusts.com.au/ Premier’s Cultural Diversity Awards The Premier’s Cultural Diversity Awards, formerly the Queensland Multicultural Awards, recognise the valuable contributions of Queenslanders who support our state’s cultural diversity and help 14
FUNDING UPDATE build an inclusive, harmonious community. Are you part of a business that prioritises cultural diversity in the workplace or do you know of an active volunteer in your community? Get involved and nominate those who work to build a more inclusive Queensland! Award winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted during Queensland Cultural Diversity Week, a state-wide celebration of cultural diversity held from 30 August to 7 September 2014. Nominations will close at 5pm on Monday, 16 June 2014. For further information and to nominate go to http://bit. ly/1i6f0mz BoardConnect: Developing alliances and collaborations in the NFP sector: tricks and traps With funding increasingly difficult to secure, the concept of teaming up with other organisations is being considered by many non-profits. Should you be looking at sharing resources or market development with another organisation? How do alliances work? What do you need to know? This session will identify some of the drivers for approaching an alliance or collaboration, models to structure arrangements – including for possible mergers – and what might be needed to ensure the initiative is a success. Join Heather Watson, Partner, McCullough Robertson Lawyers, for this informative breakfast briefing. Wednesday 11 June 7.30–9.00am, Brisbane Cost: Free for arts orgs with an annual turnover <$500,000, & $75+GST for arts orgs with an annual turnover >$500,000. To book go to: http://bit.ly/1nglqaG Australia Council grants – http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/grants Grant programs closing in June include: • Market Development – Art Fare; International markets (Music Managers); International showcase (Music Makers); Contemporary Touring Initiative: Regional Exhibition Touring Fund; Playing Australia: Regional Performing Arts Touring Fund; Visions of Australia: Regional Exhibition Touring Fun • Theatre – Cite Residency Arts for All Queenslanders strategy The strategy is a digital interactive strategy. New posts include: • Tim Ellis discusses the role of the Mossman Gorge Culture Centre in strengthening local tourism • Lynnette Griffiths discusses the growth of a new Indigenous fabric and fashion enterprise. • Professor Ryan Daniel discusses the responsibilities of higher education programs to prepare students for the reality of work in creative industries. • Arts Queensland notes arts and cultural organisations are increasingly successful in attracting Community Benefit funding.
ARTICLES AND REPORTS • Arts fundraising tips: setbacks don’t have to be failures. Kate Romano The Guardian (UK) http://bit.ly/1peGcnX • Federal budget 2014: arts and culture experts react. The Conversation http://bit.ly/1jWwod7
15
MEDIA RELEASES Brisbane up in lights for G20 Cultural Celebrations Queenslanders will be able to play their own part in the G20 with an interactive lights display to highlight the Cultural Celebrations in the lead up to the Summit. http://bit.ly/1r7tfRF Cultural Precinct Plan consultation extended Queenslanders will have one month longer to let the State Government know what they think about a plan to update Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct. http://bit.ly/1k7NuEX Queensland first on London Symphony Aussie tour London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has made Queensland the first stop in its Australian tour later this year, sending a clear message to the rest of Australia. http://bit.ly/Rr16nZ State’s poets may not know it, but they will Queenslanders from all walks of life and every corner of the state have a chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money and a shot at being published with two poetry competitions calling for entries. http://bit. ly/1kDjAwS Vision for Queensland as the nation’s cultural hub The Queensland Government is delivering on its promise to make Queensland the cultural hub of Australia with a plan to upgrade Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct. http://bit.ly/Rr1lzd Leaping wolves, thirsty animals pull in Queenslanders Leaping wolves and thirsty animals are proving irresistible to Queenslanders, setting new benchmarks for a contemporary art exhibit nationally, and delivering on the Government’s election promises. http://bit.ly/1kDjHIP
Got a great arts story? We want to hear from you. Please contact Arts Update by emailing kendall.battley@arts.qld.gov.au About us: Arts Queensland is part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts. For more information on Arts Queensland go to www.arts.qld.gov.au or call 1800175531 For more information on Queensland Government go to www.qld.gov.au 16