THEATRE NETWORK VICTORIA E-NEWS FEBRUARY 2012
Sector Consultation Survey
In January 2012 we invited TNV members to tell us what their priorities were in this new year, and what their biggest needs were. 130 people responded and here are some results:
Of a choice of ten, the top three priorities from the ATF that TNV should focus on in 2012 were “arts action – politics and money”; “supporting independent practice”; and “strengthening partnerships and networking”.
In the national theatre scene, “working with collaborators in other states” was the number one priority.
The three highest listed benefits that TNV membership delivered in 2011 included e-news information and opportunities; advocacy on the sector’s behalf; and the Australian Theatre Forum.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to tell us what they need most; we’ll be incorporating these responses into planning for this year. If you missed the survey but want to let us know your theatre sector priorities for 2012, send us an email.
Victorian Theatre Meeting 2011 – the Report
Last year’s Victorian Theatre Meeting of over 100 people was the second annual conference for the Victorian professional theatre sector. The report includes notes from keynote speakers on topics including the Indigenous Theatre Forum and the TheatreSpace project, as well as the Greenlight Project at the Malthouse Theatre, Theatre Board of the Australia Council update, provocations from artists and summarised table discussions. Read the full report here.
Welcome new TNV staff member Kim Webster
We’d like to introduce you to Kim Webster, who is joining TNV for one day per week as our Business Manager. If you’d like to say hello, Kim’s email is kim@tnv.net.au
NATIONAL STUFF
Australia Council Review
In December last year, Federal Arts Minister Simon Crean announced an independent review of the Australia Council for the Arts prior to the development of the new National Cultural Policy. The Terms of Reference (culture.arts.gov.au/news/australia-council-tor) state that the review should assess whether the original purpose of the Australia Council remains relevant today, and it will also determine the appropriate governance and administrative model for the Council into the future. The review will not be public, so submissions or public input will not be accepted.
TheatreSpace Preliminary Report Online
TheatreSpace Project, Accessing the Cultural Conversation: Preliminary Report is now available to read online. This is excellent research that looks at what young people think about theatre, how often they go and how they like to be involved.
theatrespace.org.au/news
National Play Festival, Melbourne, 22–25 February
The 2012 Festival will be held at Malthouse. Its centrepiece is the Showcase season of polished readings of new Australian plays. The five selected plays for 2012 are by playwrights Gary Abrahams, Vanessa Bates, Victoria Haralabidou, Nicki Bloom and Tom Holloway. www.nationalplayfestival.org.au/2012
Max Afford Playwrights Award deadline extended
The closing date for the Awards is now Friday 24 February 2012. Submission details here: www.thetrustcompany.com.au/philanthropy/awards/max_afford.asp
Call for proposals: Touring Works, 2013 – closing 6 February
The Mobile States consortium invites expressions of interest from artists across the performing arts, for works to tour in 2013. Tours can take two forms: a conventional tour of a single work; and a contemporary performance event (touring performance cluster) featuring multiple works of diverse genres and formats. performinglines.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Mobile-States-Call-for-Proposals-Info-Pack-20131.pdf
Recycled resources for art
Climarte has added to its resources a list of groups providing recycled materials for art, including WA’s REmedia, NSW’s Reverse Garbage and VIC’s Victoria Reverse Art Truck. See all Climarte resources here: www.climarte.org/resources
VICTORIAN STUFF
And a Victorian review too – Arts Victoria reviews Annual Operations In December 2011, the Premier and Minister for the Arts, the Hon Ted Baillieu, MLA, announced that Arts Victoria will undertake a comprehensive review of the Organisations funding program and the portfolio of organisations it supports. Briefings are being held next week at the ANZ Pavilion, the Arts Centre, for: Current Triennially Funded Organisations – 10.30am, Mon 6 Feb; Other Organisations – 10.30am, Wed 8 Feb. See Arts Victoria media release here: http://tinyurl.com/7zdccxe *TNV will be attending the meeting and TNV members are welcome to call us to find out more or to chat about this.
New Blood applications close 27 February 2012 New Blood supports independent performing artists working across art forms with access to a free rehearsal space plus additional support. www.kingstonarts.com.au/performing-arts/new-blood
VicHealth’s Arts About Us funding round – closes 9 February Funding available to develop arts activities that stimulate dialogue and thinking about how we all respond to cultural diversity and Victoria’s Indigenous heritage. Two funding streams: participation projects with grants of up to $30,000, and presenting/producing projects with grants of up to $50,000. www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/artsaboutus
George Fairfax New Theatre Award – apps close 6 March T he Castlemaine State Festival has announced a new award for Victorian-based playwrights and theatre makers, individuals, collectives and companies. The Award consists of up to a total of $15,000 over two years of development and production. www.castlemainefestival.com.au
2012/13 City of Port Phillip Cultural Development Fund – apps close 30 March Funded activities must be based in the City of Port Phillip and must include applicants/participants living or working in the City of Port Phillip. Info session: 6.30pm Monday 5 March, The Gallery – Ground Floor, St Kilda Town Hall, 99a Carlisle Street St Kilda (enter opposite St Kilda Library). More info at: www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/cultural_development_fund.htm
TNV Member Giveaway: Bad Blood Blues at Chapel of Chapel We have two double passes to give to a TNV subscriber to see BAD BLOOD BLUES at 8pm on Friday 10 February, in a return season. To win, email anna@tnv.net.au – with “Bad Blood Blues” in the subject heading – by midday, Tuesday 7 February. The intense, engrossing play deals with the AIDS drug trials in Africa and a complex relationship between researcher and student. See chapeloffchapel.com.au
Substation announces new classes Drama and burlesque are just some of the classes on offer at the Substation in Newport this year. Check out everything on offer here: www.thesubstation.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=24&Itemid=62
EOI for feasibility study: Collingwood Arts Precinct – by 8 February Arts Victoria is investigating potential uses of the former NMIT TAFE site in Johnston Street Collingwood. Submissions are sought from NFP arts organisations to contribute to a study that will explore how the derelict spaces could potentially become a multi-organisation arts precinct. www.arts.vic.gov.au/About_Us/Major_Projects_and_Initiatives/Call_for_Expressions_of_Interest_for_Feasibility_Study
Guest editorial | Robert Reid
Independent theatre companies in Australia profiled
Forty Forty Home was formed in 2009 by Erin Kelly, Amy Turton and Ella McDonald to address the under-representation of women in the Australian theatre industry by creating new work. Playwright Kelly describes their work as ranging “from devised theatre created and performed by the three of us to new writing by local female playwrights”. The company’s first work was a showing of the remarkable We’re Doing Well at the Searchlight Festival. They followed this with two one-woman shows by Laura Jean McKay and Amelia Roper at The Dog Theatre, a devised magic show for The Last Tuesday Society and an interactive work about sports for the Sports Project – both in the 2010 Next Wave Festival. Right now they are presenting a new work by Kelly, Here, in the Sugarcane, at Studio 246 in Brunswick. See hereinthesugarcane.blogspot.com.au
INTERNATIONAL STUFF
New festival of Creative Ageing in Scotland Launching in October 2012, the National Creative Ageing Festival will showcase the arts, creativity and ageing in a diverse and large-scale celebration of older artists, performers and participants. Anne Gallacher is Festival Director. Read more: www.creativescotland.com/news/director-appointed-to-deliver-national-creative-ageing-festival-19122011
INDUSTRY MOVEMENTS
State Theatre Company of South Australia artistic director Adam Cook will leave the Company in June to return to Sydney and freelance direct.
Young People and the Arts Australia’s CEO Jim Lawson is now occupying a Melbourne Office at 228 Bank St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, next door to TNV! General Manager Imogene Shields remains in the New Farm office in Brisbane.
Vitalstatistix has welcomed its new general manager Helen Sheldon. Vitals also farewelled its acting manager Maggie Armstrong and administration assistant Hayley Mott.
Magdalena Moreno has taken up a senior position at the Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes (National Council for Arts and Culture, Government of Chile).
Dave Gadsden has joined Patch Theatre Company as the new Production Manager. He’s had a long association with Patch as a lighting designer and creative collaborator.
Michelle Wild has taken up the position of General Manager with The Flying Fruit Fly Circus.
Theatre director Adena Jacobs is the 2012 Female Director in Residence at the Malthouse Theatre, commencing this month.
Nick Marchand and Simon Webb have been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Australian Theatre for Young.
POSITIONS VACANT
Kultour seeks CEO – applications close 27 February Kultour is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead and build upon the Company’s leadership role in the arts in multicultural Australia. www.kultour.com.au/images/kultour_images/Kultour_CEO_PD_Jan_2012_FINAL.pdf
Ilbijerri Theatre seeks Development Manager – apps close 10 February Have you got a knack for writing applications and fundraising? Then Ilbijerri wants you. ilbijerri.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=216f386f93bfe4754e92ef051&id=07fd613de7&e=c408000b1d
Wild@heART Community Arts seeks project managers and administrator Wild@heART is looking for new staff to join its team, which runs exciting community arts programs with people with a disability. http://ow.ly/d/ugY
Marketing Manager wanted at Brisbane Writers Festival – apps close 16 February The Festival Marketing Manager will work with a skilled and dedicated team to provide high quality support as the Festival moves into its 50th year in 2012. Package c. $65,000. Details of the position available by contacting sally.patrick@bwf.org.au
Office administrator, Performing Lines – apps due 10 February Contract position, five-month maternity cover. Performing Lines seeks an enthusiastic administrator to provide accurate and timely administration services to Performing Lines staff. Enquiries to fenn@performinglines.org.au