FESTIVAL FEATURES FOREIGN FILMS Contributing to Council Objective 3.1.2 To support the delivery of vibrant and unique community festivals and events Foreign Film Nights returned to The Riverlink in September. Restrictions associated with COVID-19 saw attendance capped at 30 people per session, which was managed through a booking system. Featured films included ‘Talking About Trees’ (Sudan), ‘Where am I Going?’ (Italy) and ‘Parasite (South Korea). Audiences were treated to pre-show performances by singers Samson Gabriel and Zi, as well as opera singer Amber Lewis.
LIVE AT THE LEVEE - AT HOME Contributing to Council Objective 14.3.1 To increase the perception of safety and usability of the public realm in Central Maitland The monthly live music performance LIVE at The Levee was adapted and delivered as Live at The Levee Home Sessions in April and May. The community were encouraged to support local businesses by ordering take away and watching performances provided by Daniel March and Photo of the Moon on Facebook or The Levee website. LIVE at The Levee returned to The Riverlink in Central Maitland from July with performances from Doc and the Delegates, The Lyrebird Experiment and Sid Berry.
CREATIVE STREETS LIGHT UP MAITLAND Contributing to Council Objective 1.2.2 To activate key public spaces across the city, increasing community identification with places throughout Maitland Creative Streets is a place activation initiative where Council partnered with the community to co-create, reimagine and creatively transform places around Maitland through temporary and semi permanent projects. The program promoted projects that created places where people felt connected, wanted to stay longer and have a memorable experience. Creative Streets After Dark supported projects that contributed to the night time economy and helped create safer and more enjoyable streets. Projects included: * Nest by Bridget Taylor - a whimsical take on community diversity where nests provide a sense of belonging, shelter and comfort. Natural and repurposed materials were used to create solar lit homes * Shadow of the Day by Joshua Anderson - an exploration of shadow puppetry After Dark through creative installations in five shopfronts in Central Maitland. The shadow based artworks were changed daily resulting in 70 artworks presented over 14 days between 14 September and 28 September 2020. Quick Response Creative Streets delivered a project that creatively responded to COVID-19. ‘ISOMOOD’ was a Motorised Mechanical Mood Monitor in which the community responded to a weekly question (through www.iso-mood.com) which captured the collective changing mood of the community.
HERITAGE FUNDING SUPPORTS LOCAL HERITAGE PROJECTS Contributing to Council Objective 6.2.3 To encourage adaptive and creative usage of privately owned heritage buildings Historic buildings enrich our neighbourhoods, but they require considerable work in ongoing care and restoration. The annual Maitland Local Heritage Fund, established in 1997, assists in broad ranging conservation works. The fund provides small dollar for dollar grants and is available for the conservation of culturally significant Aboriginal or European places. The 2020 program closed in July and provided assistance to 28 heritage sites. Projects included re-roofing with traditional materials, reconstruction of original window awnings, reinstatement of front fencing, masonry and joinery repairs. Grants totalling $38 950 were distributed, with a total project value of $279,570.
On the Move - November 2020 9
