Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
September 2013
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Arts Queensland’s monthly update of arts and culture
e r u t l u C s n o i p Cham This month we celebrate the many Culture Champions who are shaping arts and culture in Queensland. We also reveal the four big themes that have emerged from the Arts for all Queenslanders consultation, which will now shape the strategy. We hope you enjoy this insight into those making a difference in arts and culture in Queensland.
Great state. Great opportunity. 1
Message from the
Minister for the Arts
It’s farewell to festival month in Brisbane and I’d like to congratulate the Brisbane Festival and Brisbane Writers Festival for turning the city into a hub for ideas, creativity and artistic innovation. The Gold Coast has also enjoyed the Swell Sculpture Festival this month on the beach at Currumbin.
Nominations for this year’s Culture Champions will close on 25 October 2013. Through this campaign we have learned that not only are there a lot of Culture Champions in Queensland, but also that people feel it is important that these champions are acknowledged and valued. In response to this, Arts Queensland will launch another Culture Champions campaign in 2014, once again asking Queenslanders to nominate their cultural heroes in their communities. Feedback from the Arts for all Queenslanders strategy consultation has shown a need to be more proactive about recognising our fabulous artists.
Festivals give us a chance to celebrate our artists and we’re doing our bit to build on this with the Culture Champions campaign. The campaign started in June to raise the profile of our artists, acknowledge their work in the community and show the range of people who are working across the arts and cultural sector in a variety of roles. Since then more than 160 people have been nominated.
This edition of Arts Update is dedicated to our Culture Champions – congratulations to you all! Make sure you also check out the Wall of Fame at www.arts.qld.gov.au/ culturechampionswalloffame
We have seen from these nominations that a Culture Champion takes many guises including young Zephyr Parups Bishop, 8, who loves craft because it “helps you to meet so many people”. It’s great to see the campaign has reached across the state with Culture Champions named in Townsville, Rockhampton and Ipswich. I have been delighted to see so many people nominate Culture Champions. We’ve had local Members of Parliament getting on board with nominations, including the Treasurer and the Premier.
The Honourable Ian Walker MP Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
Minister Walker with Brisbane songwriter Seja, winner of the 2013 Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship. Photo: Dane Beesley, Cardboard Box Studio
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Celebrating Queensland’s Culture Champions Culture Champions has been an exciting initiative for Arts Queensland in 2013. Since its launch in late June more than 160 people have been nominated by a wide range of people as Culture Champions. This wonderful community is at the heart of arts and culture in Queensland, comprising many artists, teachers, philanthropists, arts enthusiasts and workers. With the chance to nominate your arts hero closing on 25 October, this month’s Arts Update celebrates our State’s many Culture Champions, sharing the inspirational profiles completed to date.
www.arts.qld.gov.au/ culturechampions
Watch our Culture Champions short film
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Culture s n o i p m Cha
WALL
Hamish Bain
Jono Perry
Business Economist and Director Queensland Academy of Arts & Sciences
Technical Director, Brisbane Festival Arts and culture gives me a sense of pride of place and belonging. Brisbane has a very strong and unique cultural identity of which I am very proud of.
I believe that encouragement and continuity of the development of arts and culture helps to define and project a community’s appreciation and value of its own and others’ artistic and cultural identities.
www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Karen Hurford Printmaker/Teacher
John Waldron
To enhance appreciation and awareness of arts and culture is to provide people with opportunities to break down barriers and explore what it means to be human.
Curator / Project Manager / Artist / Director, Blue Sky View and Makeway Lab, Sunshine Coast Because creativity is something we have in common, artists and cultural practitioners should be valued as the leaders of social innovation. I’m motivated by art that makes a change, shared creative experiences that educate and connect us, that make us feel alive and valued. www.blueskyview.com.au www.makewaylab.com.au
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OF FAME #culturechampions Bronwyn Davies
James Cuskelly
Coordinator, Cultural Services, Scenic Rim Regional Council
Head of Faculty, Creative Arts & Design Studies, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Exposure to culture and the arts develops new neural pathways and help us to see things with fresh eyes, to shift our perspectives, get greater understanding, expand awareness and build empathy. Its a responsibility: it can change the world.
Director of Cuskelly College of Music – Music Education I want to establish the best music education programs in the world here in Queensland. It is my intention that our music teachers are trained to the highest level so that they not only can perform on any the great stages of the world – orchestras, opera, jazz and pop – but also work with even the smallest group of interested people in any community here in Australia.
http://tibetstateofmind.blogspot. com.au www.liveatthecentre.com.au
www.soundthinkingaustralia.com
Steph McCaw Head of Instrumental Music, Ferny Grove State High School
Suzanne Matulich
Teaching music has shown me that once kids really experience an expressive, imaginative, creative world, they can’t get enough of it. Making music together is powerful – they learn to collaborate, empathise, and value what we humans have in common.
Arts worker in the performing and visual arts Both the performing and visual arts give us ways to express our responses to the world. We can laugh, cry, wonder and share. We can come to terms with the hard times and celebrate the good times. We can live a full and creative life. www.artsalive.com.au www.ipswichlittletheatre.com.au
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Samara Welbourne
Lee Fullarton
Author, entrepreneur and primary school student
Teaching Artist and founder, Primary Arts Network Ipswich
Arts and culture is meaningful to me because when I am making something arty and beautiful I feel good, and it means I can help others and bring some magic into their lives. I like inspiring people.
Let’s be BOLD! What we DO in the ARTS signifies to CHILDREN our CULTURAL VALUES. Let’s utilize the creative capital of Queensland’s Artists. IMAGINE every school having their very own ARTIST!
www.enchantedfairyhouses.com.au
www.learningplace.com.au/sc/ ipswich/pani
Kerryanne Farrer Creative Producer of Pineapple Productions
Cr Charlie Pisasale Division 8 and Chairperson Arts, Community & Cultural Services, Ipswich City Council
I have a dream that the Pineapple Palace will be the Aussie version of the Spiegeltent for children and families – a welcoming and accessible venue bringing back the love of the era of retro theme parks through our favourite icon – the pineapple. I dream of creating a cultural export that showcases the cream of the crop of our sunshine state artists and celebrates our Queensland quirkiness. Is that crazy?
An idea for Queensland would be for major projects on both public and private buildings to have a percentage of cost invested in public art displayed on site. www.ipswich.qld.gov.au www.facebook.com/#!/ CrCharliePisasale
www.pineappleproductions.com.au www.facebook.com/kerryanne. farrer
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Andrew Moritz
Tim Sherlock
Director, The Workshops Rail Museum, Queensland Museum
Composer, choral conductor and music educator
We need an arts and culture policy that recognises the value of investing (both public and private) in arts, culture and heritage to making our communities better places to live, work and play.
Choirmaster, QPAC Choir Arts and culture help us to reveal to ourselves and to others who we are as a society and our artistic works define the values and principles we hold as precious. Participation in community arts activities, such as choirs, bands/orchestras, theatre groups and dance ensembles, is incredibly life-enhancing, evoking a sense of connectedness and purpose and bringing much joy to those involved.
www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au www.facebook.com/ TheWorkshopsRailMuseum www.twitter.com/RailMuseum_Qld www.instagram.com/ theworkshopsrailmuseum
www.timsherlock.com
www.pinterest.com/ railmuseumqld
Image: by Tricia King/The Itchy Eyes
Lawrence English Artist and curator
William Robinson AO
If we look to the Brisbane River as a metaphor for culture; like the river, we must strive to be constant but never solid. We must remember that our tidal flats, the transient fringes and zones of transformation are often the most fertile places in which new growth (and innovation) can occur. What is born in these transient zones eventually flows into the river’s central channels, offering sustenance and revitalisation. Without these spaces, without the foundation of the fringe, our river would become a dead one, carrying a traffic of water without life.
Artist Art and music have been a document, a focus and a reflection of my life. www.philipbacongalleries.com.au
www.lawrenceenglish.com www.room40.org
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Angela Witcher
Scott Prince
Artistic Director, InsideOutside Theatre Company
Rugby League great and author
My big idea involving both arts and culture is to facilitate opportunities for people with disabilities statewide, which will enable them to embrace performing arts and express their ideas freely. Without boundaries, without prejudice, without segregation, but WITH passion, WITH pride and WITH the full support of their communities.
Art to me is a lot about music – I enjoy a lot of different styles and have always got a kick out of listening to artists push the limits and tweak with older tunes and make them relevant again. As an indigenous sportsman, my culture means a lot to me and I’m proud to represent my people and hope I inspire our younger generation to fulfil their potential.
www.insideoutsidetheatre.com
www.scottprince.com.au
Vicki Salisbury
Zephyr Parups Bishop
Director Umbrella Studios, Townsville
Eight-year-old fibre artist
The big cultural idea that would make me proud to be a Queenslander would be building a Creative Industries Precinct in the CBD that would re-brand Townsville as a contemporary city in North Queensland. Included in this creative hub are exhibition spaces, a 500 seat theatre, administration offices, retail, rehearsal rooms and café. This muchneeded facility would be used by local professional arts organisations, such as Umbrella who need permanent, long term accommodation. Regional benefits include attracting skilled and professional people to this region to live and work, increasing cultural tourism and adding value to existing infrastructure.
I love craft because it is so addictive, and it helps you to meet so many people. If everyone did craft, it would help them to make stuff they can actually come home and play with instead of just technology. Then if you were to do something like yarn bombing in the street it really makes people feel great.
www.umbrella.org.au
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Jenny Lane
Abbey McCulloch
Councillor, Division 4, Townsville City Council
Painter I would be proud to see the arts prioritised with in terms of the media. I think the community as a whole would stand to benefit from more cultural balance and it is certainly improving, but the key to it is providing more legitimate opportunities for exposure. I think the middle of the newspaper needs more of our attention than the back pages for a change.
For me, arts and culture means possibility, access and choice. We are creative beings and society should encourage creative expression. Affordability and variety are also extremely important to maintaining culture! www.townsville.qld.gov.au @Cr_Jenny_Lane Photograph Stephen Lane
www.helengory.com/AbbeyMcCulloch
Clark Beaumont Raewyn Hill
Performance artists
Artistic Director, Dancenorth
Contemporary art is essential to both of our lives as a tool to process our everyday experiences, thoughts and feelings, develop new understandings and perspectives on life. It connects us to new ideas, each other, and the wider community.
At Dancenorth we focus on creating meaningful engagement with the industry and community around us and we achieve this by creating art not for ‘arts sake’. We believe in the need for broad community engagement with art, and the performance and production of art to ensure the ongoing social health of the nation. Each day I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work in my chosen artistic medium and take great pride in the achievements of the company.
http://clarkbeaumont.wordpress. com/
www.dancenorth.com.au
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Deb Mostert
Li Cunxin
Visual artist
Queensland Ballet Artistic Director
Arts and culture-making in my daily life means I enjoy the creative search for truth, goodness and beauty. I’m able to make something of what I see around me and share that with others. It’s as simple and as complex as that.
My single big arts idea and cultural idea that makes me proud to be a Queenslander would be a purpose-built venue for opera and ballet in inner-city Brisbane. There is audience demand to warrant having such a facility for these art forms, and it would foster excellence among our artists.
www.debmostertartist.com.au
www.queenslandballet.com.au
Gail Sorronda Fashion Designer Culture and arts are symbiotic to each other in that the arts is one of the variables that constantly redefines culture. To me it’s something as simple as the creative decision making of the way we dress which in turn becomes a provocation or bending of cultural norms.
Michelle Xen Musician, performer, visual artist and experimental electro diva I live my life through creative processes. I live to make things, songs, images, experiences. Connecting with so many people each day through this making, is why I get up in the morning!
www.gailsorronda.com
www.michellexen.tv
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Yen Trinh
Nathanael Cooper
Experience Design Manager, Queensland Museum
Entertainment Editor, The CourierMail
A big cultural idea that makes me proud to be a Queenslander would be if there was a Queensland-wide month-long festival, with such amazing things and collaborations that it creates an international pulling power. It can become something like the Venice Biennale of the Southern hemisphere.
How dull would life be without a Beethoven symphony, a gaze at some public art, some experimental burlesque at the Judy or a blockbuster musical at QPAC. Life without art is a dull one indeed. www.couriermail.com.au
http://designingyen.wordpress.com
Sharyn Ghidella
Kate Miller-Heidke
Newsreader, SevenNews
Musician and songwriter
From the theatre that challenges, the painting that captivates to the aria that resonates, the arts are a constant companion, reminding us we are far richer and happier for having all forms of it in our lives.
Art is important to me because it’s the closest thing we have to magic. www.katemillerheidke.com Photo: Justin Nicholas
http://au.news.yahoo.com
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Natalie Weir
Sarah Larsen
Artistic Director, Expressions Dance Company
Artist, Sculptor, Tutor Art is the language of the soul. When we practice our art and culture we give our soul a voice through which we can speak and in turn benefit the lives of others.
The arts are one of the major inspirations of my life. Every day I am challenged, excited, and inspired by the art I see, and the art I wish to create. To make something new and beautiful people can lose themselves in, as they watch, can transform a person’s life.
www.sarahlarsen.com.au
www.expressionsdancecompany. org.au
Mikarla Teague Artist and activist The Arts are the most powerful tool for communication, both to question and confront the realities which have been created for us – inspiring and empowering individuals to stand up, act, and provoke change within our world. It’s about creation; it looks beneath the layers to find truth. It’s a human story.
Lisa Gasteen Classical voice teacher and mentor Art, Music, Theatre, are to me the life blood of a community. There are no boarders, no boundaries and people of all race, colour, beliefs can be drawn together to enjoy, debate and participate in a common idea, at least for a short time. Different opinions can be respected and accepted as one of art’s main purposes is to stimulate and broaden thinking and initiate discussion.
www.mikarlateague.com
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Tracey Hewitt
Danica Majstorovic Eather
Primary producer and textile and mixed media artist
Project Consultant, Balkan Beats Brisbane
I believe every person has an innate need to create, a need which left unmet, creates a deep and isolating disconnect. I see arts and culture as vital to the health and happiness of our communities and every individual in them.
Music, film, visual arts and design provide dynamic, thoughtprovoking and global channels which enable me to engage in and share the essence of my Serbian heritage here in Australia.
http://traceyhewitt.blogspot.com
Margaret Eales Taylor
Kevin Oxley
Music Educator/Founder of Maleny Singers
Painter Queensland would benefit as a whole if it introduced programs which address the viability of the art and craft market, not by subsidy, but by training. This is so that more relevant art and artefacts are produced so that visitors from overseas and within Australia are able to see and purchase art and crafts which reflects the area in which it was made.
My life has revolved around the learning, rehearsing, and performing of music. Since ‘retiring’ to Queensland, my joy has been sharing that with people who would otherwise not have the opportunity.
www.oxleyart.com
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Simon Denver
Dr Judith Brown
Artistic Director, Suncoast Repertory Theatre inc
Director of Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, CQUniversity
The arts is merely a series of individual footprints that make up a highway through history. They fix in time the hopes, dreams, aspirations, failings, foibles and ever changing morals of an area, a region and a country.
Through arts and culture we can enrich our lives and communities, and many types of opportunities should be available to everyone regardless of where they live. www.cqu.edu.au/cqcm
Anthony Walker
Yaron Lifschitz
Artist, curator and Indigenous Arts Development Officer at Arts Northern Rivers
Artistic Director, Circa There is a moment in the theatre when the lights go down, the audience breathes as one and the whole world is possible. I suspect our species would be better off if we had more of these moments.
I use visual art to connect with and explore my cultural heritage. Art enriches lives, moves us towards reconciliation, and can act as a catalyst for social change.
www.circa.org.au
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Matthew Haynes
Tie-Jun Li
Designer / consultant / curator / taste maker
Founder/President, Queensland Cantonese Opera Association
Working in the arts is a labour of love. I have discovered so much about myself; what makes to tick, what makes me laugh and most importantly — what makes me cry. It is a path less travelled, however it is a great path and I hope to share it with as many people as possible.
I am proud of being a citizen of Queensland. Queensland is not only endowed with natural beauty, but Queensland is also a place where multicultural living is encouraged. As a Cantonese Opera singing teacher, I believe I am contributing to Queensland as a multicultural destination.
www.analoguedigital.com.au
Sarah Werkmeister
Jodie Jurgs
Editor, radio producer, curator
Head of Drama, Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School
The world wouldn’t exist without culture, the wheel wouldn’t have been invented without creativity. Arts and culture enrich both individuals’ experience in the world, and a community’s ability to relate to one another. It’s important for people to know that if they want to see something done, they should try to do it. Don’t be afraid of failure, but be able to take a blow. Our generation is capable of making Queensland an amazing place to live.
The arts provide an outlet to explore and express alternative aspects of self. This is an incredibly powerful tool for students, encouraging the sharing/ appreciation of talents and cultures. @JodieJurgs
http://sarahwerkmeister.tumblr. com
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Brendan Joyce
Dr Michael Marendy
Violinist/Leader Camerata of St John’s and Violinist/Guest Concertmaster Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
Conservation, Curatorial and Education Consultant (Costume, Clothing and Textiles)
I love my work and I’m an avid cultural consumer too. The arts can act to soften the hard edges of life – it’s essential to learning, living, healing, protesting, loving and being inspired.
Following the extraordinary success of textile exhibitions in Brisbane over the past five years I would like to see the establishment of a textiles museum in the city, or permanent textile galleries in our South Bank Institutions.
www.camerata.net.au
www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au
James Morrison
Tracey Heathwood
Musician and Artistic Director, Queensland Music Festival
Artist and arts worker Art enables me to connect with my local community in a profound way. I am passionate about telling stories that convey all that is unique about the place that I live, whether this is through my own visual arts practice or the community-led art projects I work on. Art is a wonderful tool for expressing the undefinable.
What makes me proud of our arts and cultural policy is the fact that the ‘arts’ are for everyone, not just an elite few. The ability of the arts to enrich lives and inspire people must be available and presented to all, no matter how geographically, economically or otherwise challenged. www.qmf.org.au
http://traceyheathwood. mackaycreatives.com.au
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Mark Sholtez
Jenica Smith
Recording Artist / Songwriter / Producer
Designer / Founder and Writer of Design Montage
For me, art and specifically music has the power to bridge social, cultural and generational divides and remind us that we are all in this together.
I’m proud of creating Design Montage – the online hub where local artists, designers and photographers can come together to discuss, learn and be inspired. www.designmontage.com.au
Tim Gawne QUT student/Lighting Designer Culture is what makes us unique, the culture of one place is what sets it apart and makes it interesting. Art helps promote and celebrate culture in all its forms.
Steve Mayer-Miller Artistic Director/CEO of Crossroad Arts, Mackay Having the tools to try and create something different that was not there yesterday, is what gets me up every morning. What sustains me throughout the day is developing those skills of creativity in other people who often don’t have those tools, but are hungry and driven enough to want to see their creative idea grow into an artistic work, and proudly proclaim ‘this is different and so am I’. www.crossroadarts.com.au
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Elizabeth Morgan AM
Frankie Vandellous
Violinist/Violist, Teacher and Founder of Camerata of St Johns
Performer (burlesque, butoh, and physical theatre), Creative Director, Lost Movements, MC and Event Programmer, Alchemy
The arts contribute immeasurable value in developing a positive and successful community. They inspire, give joy and cause for reflection, awaken innate sensitivities and perceptions and connect me with refined values. They help me celebrate life in all its diversity!
Brisbane is a uniquely demanding of its artists. Because the creative scene of a city is integral to economic prosperity, development of identity, and innovative advancement I seek to provide events that bridge the gap between the public and the artists of Brisbane, and showcases that offer a diversity of disciplines, a sense of hospitality, support for established and upcoming artists, and an exploration of Brisbane identity.
www.camerata.net.au
http://lostmovements.com/
Liz Williamson Producer / Creative Director, Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage To awaken joy in creative expression and make a difference to young people’s lives through positive arts experiences is the key to a brighter future. Creative Generation is a celebration of the arts.
Rolene Orford General Manager, Camerata of St John’s Arts and culture is essential for the nurture of our souls, and I have the privilege of working with an amazing team of exceptionally gifted string players living in Brisbane who enhance the lives of all Queenslanders through their extraordinary music making.
http://education.qld.gov. au/community/events/ creativegeneration/
www.camerata.net.au
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Alexander Lotersztain
Lucy Ingham
Designer and Founder/Director of Derlot
Contemporary Dance Artist I would like to make arts and the culture surrounding it more readily accessible for audience members to increase the demand for arts and culture in Queensland.
We need to embrace our culture, to see Queensland be a champion in the shaping of our cultural heritage by supporting the arts and investing in innovation and design-led thinking. We need to set an example to future generations, so they can be proud to live and work, play in this beautiful part of the world. We need to generate opportunities that are like no other, and that only happens with creative thinking.
www.lucyingham.com
derlot.com @derlot
Suellen Maunder Artistic Director/Chief Executive Officer of JUTE Theatre Company As an artist, I love standing on the cliff of a creative idea, letting go and falling into that world – its terrifying but it makes my heart sing. To play in that world with other creative souls and bring what we have breathed into life to a whole bunch of other people and to see them fall into that world, explore the idea, laugh, cry and gasp … well its a very human moment, to connect at that gut level with people you don’t know.
Carlyndal Slight-Di Tullio Young Entrepreneur Arts and Culture is meaningful to me because if I never found art, I would have never found my dream small business. It’s amazing to see peoples faces light up when I show them my unique jewellery because it makes me thankful and appreciative that I can do something I love as a part time job. www.facebook.com/ CuteAsCreations @cuteascreation
http://www.jute.com.au/
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Rosemary Walker
Bruce Wolfe
Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts
Architect, Brisbane There is a time when you recognise that in the culture that surrounds you, there is an opportunity to play a part in the richness of that cultural tapestry. Whilst mainstream arts are able to flourish, I have an anxiety that the innovative and experimental may find support more difficult to come by and may disappear from that diversity. There is an attraction to become more involved in those things that stretch the boundaries and so look forward to ways to participate or facilitate.
Being involved and working in the arts for all these years, I attribute to making me the success that I am today! Seeing young actors starting their careers and blossoming into stars! During my years I have worked with many artists, designers, lighting designers, playwrights etc I never tire of the joy of watching magic happen on the stage – of seeing new work spring into life! http://acpa.net.au/
Madeleine Ekeblad Director OMSA Art Gallery, Co-founder Dead Parrot Society, Founder Three Modern Masters on Macleay, Macleay Island
Angie Dunbavan
A big idea for that would make me proud to be a Queenslander would be to see the wider Artistic and General Community recognise Macleay Island as an important EcoArt landmark for the City of Redlands and thus a significant landmark for Queensland whilst appreciating all that the island’s unique cultural potential offers.
Managing Director, Red Chair Pty Ltd President, Creative Alliance, Sunshine Coast Art is central to creating and sustaining a vibrant, just and prosperous Queensland. My vision for Queensland as global leader will be realised when the daily Arts Report is permanently positioned before the sports and weather!
www.omsa.com.au
www.redchair.com.au
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Earle Hinschen
Joolie Gibbs
Founder, d’Arcy Doyle Art Awards
Gallery Coordinator, Gympie
I am proud that Queensland artists are now winning the major Awards. www.darcydoyleartawards.com.au
(The Arts) identifies our culture, gives us identity, a sense of belonging, sharing of ideas, community spirit, appreciation of difference, soul uplifting, connections, from quiet contemplation to the wow factor. A reason for living.
www.facebook.com/ darcydoyleartawards
www.facebook.com/joolie.gibbs
John Curro Musician We live in a highly materalistic age where things of the spirit are largely neglected. Culture and the arts enrich everyone’s lives and, especially for our youngsters, provide balance and distraction from the mobile phones, Ipads and the internet, where so much dangerous information is so easily available.
Syd Collins Art Materials Retailer and Adviser, Maryborough Art enables individuals to express themselves creatively, thereby contributing to the quality of life enjoyed by human kind. My passion is assisting artists with advice and product information that will enhance their artistic development. www.artmaterialsupplies.com
Kerri Eaton Classical Singer, Singing Teacher of Classical and Commercial Contemporary Music The arts are important to me because everyone is welcome and when we are lost in our imaginations everything is possible!
New Culture Champions are being uploaded everyday so check in regularly with the wall of fame. If you have been nominated and your profile is not yet visible on the wall of fame, we are working through nominations as quickly as we can and it shouldn’t be too much longer. 21
What you told us:
themes from the Arts for Over the past year, Queenslanders have been asked to have their say on the future of arts and culture in our state. The result of this vibrant exchange will be the Arts for all Queenslanders strategy set to be released at the end of the year.
With more than 2000 of you contributing your voice to the strategy development, many are now asking what were the findings? Four big themes emerged from the data, overwhelmingly reflecting the intrinsic and instrumental value of Queensland arts and culture. These themes are:
The strategy will share a five-year vision that puts Queenslanders – the participants, the audiences, the supporters of arts and culture – at the centre of the Queensland Government’s plan for investment in and services for arts and cultural development and delivery. As the name implies it is a strategy focused on the cultural lives of the people of Queensland.
Local means more than regional – in a state as big as Queensland ‘local’ community is first and foremost where culture counts. Local networks and connectors, local skills development, local opportunities and local products were all named as key to place making, pride building and cultural tourism engagement. We’ve moved beyond ‘capital city’ and ‘regional’ think to Queensland as a state with many locales.
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r all Queenslanders data Embracing diversity gives us an edge – diverse cultures including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Queensland, diverse ethnicities, heritage, age groups, abilities, forms and scales of arts practice give us a competitive edge culturally and economically. We are a state of diverse locales each with diverse communities. Connecting with and within this diversity will strengthen our cultural offers.
Participatory culture has landed – like sport, arts have the potential to embrace communities of interest so that many more people have a stake in the making, presenting, supporting and discussion of arts and culture. We need to do more than put out the welcome mat – we need to enable people’s active participation and their own creative, artistic and cultural expression. Quality counts – along with excellence, beauty and inspiration people want relevance and meaning. Quality arts and culture is in dialogue with its publics – it seeks connection – as do quality arts businesses and processes. Arts and culture that receives public investment whether through funding, community purchase or donations owes quality to its communities of interest and practice.
The Arts for All Queenslanders Strategy will be available from midDecember 2013.
Arts for
Queens all landers
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50,000 celebrate the music of
Queensland at State Library State Library of Queensland has extended Live! Queensland band culture until 17 November, following more than 50,000 visits to the landmark exhibition program. Through
live performances, exhibitions and events, Live! celebrates the way music has connected Queenslanders from the 1850s to today. www.slq.qld.gov.au
Funding news Arts Queensland’s Individuals Fund Applications for the second round of the Individuals Fund close on Tuesday 1 October 2013. Only applications received or post marked on or before that date will be considered. Please post any USBs in a padded envelope and include your name and contact details. See http://bit.ly/13pXYY6
LGAQ, Flying Arts Alliance and Arts Queensland – Beyond RADF: Navigating the funding landscape Linda Dreghorn from Arts Queensland will help you understand the regional funding landscape. Find out what funding is available to your council and community, and ask Linda your funding-related questions. Online 18 October 2013 2pm – 2.45pm. Visit http://bit.ly/18UBh6Y
Creative Partnerships Australia – Plus1 Through Plus1, Creative Partnerships will match dollar for dollar up to $50,000 in funds raised by artists and not for profit (NFP) arts organisations for approved projects that build their development capacity and meet defined criteria. For further information and to apply go to http://bit.ly/18khhIA
2014 UTAS, Cradle Coast Campus – Artist in Residence Program. Now in its fourth year, this 28 day, $5000 residency is open to Australian and International artists of all disciplines for project ideas relevant to the NW Tasmanian region. For further information and to apply go to: http://bit.ly/1eAJj74 Australia Council 2013 closing in October 2013 include: Inter-Arts – Experimental Arts Grants Literature – LOTE – publishing initiative; Program; Promotion; Publishing 50,000 celebrate the music of Queensland at State Library
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Media releases Grant McLennan award winner New York bound Arts Minister Ian Walker has announced Brisbane songwriter Seja as the winner of the $25,000 Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship. http://bit.ly/18qoJlJ
Circa to host performing arts touring in Queensland Award-winning company Circa will manage touring services for performing arts in Queensland for three years from January 2014. http://bit.ly/1fe2QeP
Sculpture Festival sees the Gold Coast swell with pride More than 50 sculptures created by artists from across the globe formed an impressive outdoor gallery along Currumbin’s foreshore on the Gold Coast at the 2013 Swell Sculpture Festival. http://bit.ly/1bCnd2Q
Music’s big names head to Brisbane for BIGSOUND Arts Minister Ian Walker and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey welcomed contemporary music industry’s head honchos and top talent to Brisbane for BIGSOUND [10–13 September]. http://bit.ly/1b81HUl
New board appointments for QPAT board Arts Minister Ian Walker has announced Chris Freeman AM as the new chair for the Queensland Performing Arts Trust. http://bit.ly/16uIXGe
Art star Cai Guo-Qiang reveals Queensland inspiration Chinese tourists are being encouraged to experience the beauty of Queensland and the breathtaking new art it has inspired as part of the first exhibition in Australia by leading international contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang. http://bit.ly/1bCn3bR
Resources Update Arts Queensland’s blog – aqblog The Queensland winner of the 2013 Creative Partnerships Arts and Health Award is The Playful Engagement program for people living with dementia. Clark Crystal reflects on this work. http://bit.ly/17YbynL
Articles & Reports The Arts Council of New Zealand Statement of Intent 2013–16 http://bit.ly/180UcKl Professional capabilities for twenty-first century creative careers: lessons from outstandingly successful Australian artists and designers Ruth Bridgstock International Journal of Art and Design Education (iJADE) http://bit.ly/1bEyz6o
Got a great arts story? We want to hear from you. Please contact Arts Update by emailing jill.martin@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
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