invest in
A group of primary school children are dressed in white protective jump suits and gathered around an overhead projector. The room is dark except for the light coming from the overhead projector.
On a national and international level, Arena is a leader and a shaper. Its work is of the highest calibre – rigorous in its quality and joyous in its execution. In particular, Arena provides a unique contribution to the liveability, social fabric and economic growth in regional Victoria.
Supporting Arena is an opportunity to acknowledge; • • • • •
entrepreneurship new business new thinking new markets innovation
It’s an opportunity to positively impact regional; • • • • • • •
2
creative economy jobs economic development liveability community identity visitor numbers new residents
It’s an opportunity to support; • • • • • • •
youth youth disability mental health and wellbeing education people of disadvantage multiple cultures community strengthening
Following a successful pitch to Creative Victoria to fund a relocation project, along with support from City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB) and Bendigo Venues & Events (BVE), in 2018 Arena relocated to Bendigo and began reimagining itself as a regionally based professional theatre company.
ARENA THEATRE COMPANY info@arenatheatre.com.au 03 5463 5160 Arena is registered with ACNC. All donations are welcome and tax deductible.
Arena’s achievements have supported the creative brand of the City, stimulating new initiatives, providing economic stimulus through employment and creative arts tourism, supporting community health and well-being and social integration. Examples include:
SOUTH SUDANESE WOMEN’S ENSEMBLE
Supporting marginalised communities. Multicultural experience, education and enlightenment for regional residents.
CREATIVE CLASSROOMS
Professional artists in local classrooms.
INTERACTIVE WORKS
Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Expanded Reality technologies. Engaging young people in new technology.
THE BENDIGO STUDIO
Attracting some of the most highly regarded theatre companies and creative teams from around Australia, along with groups of third-year acting/theatre students from the VCA.
imp act WORK EXPERIENCE & INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
Demonstrating and providing pathways for regional students into the performing arts.
CREATIVE LEADERS
Professional development program for local teachers
JOBS
Arena is an employment provider. Since relocating to Bendigo, the number of permanent staff has doubled from 4 to 8. A further 12 local artists and arts workers have been employed on short contract work. And many local individuals and small businesses have been hired for their products and services.
However, relocation and breaking new ground is a major undertaking that requires ongoing support.
3
Creating extraordinary theatre for young audiences for 54 years, Arena Theatre Company’s original, powerful and life-changing performance works have been presented at Australia’s major venues and festivals. Touring regionally and internationally, Arena’s achievements have regularly been nominated for major awards. Arena seeks to lead when it comes to accessibility and inclusion. The company is thoroughly committed to ensuring that people from all backgrounds and abilities can be an active part of Arena, both as artists and audience members.
Strategic Plan
Annual Report
Access & Inclusion Plan
South Sudanese Women’s Ensemble
Robot Song development
Hidden Creature Gallery
Creative Classrooms St Patrick’s Primary School
Creative Classrooms Footscray City Primary School
Creative Classrooms Brookside College Arena Website
4
testimonials Arena has demonstrated significant leadership in the past few years, in not only reimagining their operating model, but also, by actively embracing the possibilities that come from being located in a regional community.
I wish every Australian student could have the opportunity to experience this production. I cannot imagine how anyone could sit through it unaffected or without reflecting upon their treatment of others.
The City of Greater Bendigo has embraced the opportunity to support Arena to thrive locally, nationally and internationally. This ambition has been achieved beyond our expectations. Additionally, their performances and workshops have bought significant numbers of performers, contributors and patrons into the community which has enormous financial benefit to the community through visitation and subsequent spend.
Arena’s relocation to Bendigo is what the future of Australian arts practice should look like – embedded within a community, working with a global focus..
Claire Johns Teacher, Shelford Grammar School
David Lloyd Manager, Bendigo Venues & Events
Bryce Ives Vice President, Laureate International Universities
To see the level of engagement, the scope of the activity, the creative output from artists and students, the clear enthusiasm of the school teachers and community – the enrichment for that community (Tongala) as a result of the program was visible and substantial.
The world premiere season of Robot Song heralds another beautifully crafted work from Arena. I applaud the team for tackling some of the big, important issues relating to young people at risk of isolation – and for highlighting joy, support and hope as vital parts of the antidote. Thank you for the wonderful contribution the company makes to the lives of young people and to our creative and cultural life more broadly. Martin Foley MP Victorian Minister for Creative Industries
Whilst the VCA is able to offer much in terms of classroom based training, it is only opportunities such as that of the Bendigo Studio that can truly prepare our students for the realities of arts practice beyond drama school. In initiating this program, Arena have, once again, demonstrated their leadership and innovation in the field recognising that emerging artists require support and pathways in order to begin their journey towards sustainable careers.
David Stretch Chief Executive, The Ulumbarra Foundation
Arena’s move has been invaluable for regional artists and Central Victoria in general. For me it meant I was able to connect with a company creating incredibly high quality, important work. It gave me the opportunity to be part of a professional team, and be paid for it. It made me realise I can live in a regional area and work as a creative in theatre. Beth Sayer Costume Designer, Castlemaine
Robot Song is one of the most refreshing and remarkable works I’ve seen in 25 years. 10/10.
It’s challenging to find employment, and gain acceptance. At times, this causes us to feel anxious and uncertain of how to progress within our wider community. This project means that we get a chance to enhance control over our everyday life and our future, it’s a chance to come together as a community and celebrate who we are, and what makes our culture rich. Through coming together, and being mentored by Arena Theatre’s Associate Artist Eliza Hull we feel we restore meaning and purpose to our lives, we reduce shame and enable community social harmony.
Steve Davis The Adelaide Show Podcast
Kotnyin Thon South Sudanese Womens Ensemble
Steph Kehoe VCA Course Coordinator
5
Our students are not immune to the pressures that the drought puts on their families and their town. It feels like our time with Arena Theatre Company is a gift that we have given to our students and our community. Working with Arena has helped us to provide exemplary learning and unique experiences, far beyond the capabilities of our own professional expertise and even imaginations. We believe that our exposure to and immersion with the artists from Arena Theatre Company will ultimately work towards eliminating discrimination for our young people and will help redress the inequalities in opportunity and the distribution of resources that we are witness to every day here at St Patrick’s. Katrina Johnston Principal, St Patrick’s Primary School
Having Arena Theatre Company in residence here in Bendigo has made such an incredible impact on the lives of many. This professional company has provided the students of the Academy of Creative Arts program here at Bendigo South East College with so many experiences that they would not normally have access to. Recently some students spent an entire week with Arena experiencing every aspect of how the company runs. These students could not emphasise enough how much it meant to them and that it was “the most incredibly life changing time of their lives; an absolutely awesome experience”. We want to be able to continue this level of engagement with our students. Cynthia Holsworth Academy of Creative Arts Manager, Bendigo South East College
sponsors & supporters
ROOM TO MOVE ROOM TO GROW
Ruth & Peter McMullin
6
Liz Grainger
Cynthia Holsworth
Gary & Lyndal McClure
Rebecca & David Abela Eileen Berry Robina Burton Ann Buzza Anthony Callinan Gaye Casey Lee Casey Dawn Colbourne Sue Cullen Linden Danks Geoffrey Donnan Darren Fewster Rod Fyffe Joshua Griffin Anne & Paul Henshall Herbert Hermans Virginia Lovett & Rose Hiscock Carmen Hogan
Carol & William Holsworth Jacinta Jackson Maureen Johnston Catherine Jones Frances & Robert Lindsay David Lloyd Shobie Luff Clare McArdle Jeanne McMullin Nani McMullin Janet Michelmore Erin Milne Jennifer Mitchell Peter Morison Keryn Negri Naomi Nicholson Kerrie Norris Hiranthi & Travis Perara
Janine Phillips Victoria Ponsford Kate Richardson & Clare Martin Richard Sallis Jane Scott Emily Sexton Cecile Shanahan Nicole Smith Anne Specht Carolyn Stanford Meg Thomson Marylou Verberne Annette Vieusseux Lisa Watts Sandra Willis Gael Wilson & Emma Schmidt Helen Yorston