The 2011Artspoken conference brought together arts and cultural workers from across the state to explore new ideas in regional arts. The Conference attracted 220 delegates, including representatives from 29 regional and city councils, and over 55 delegates from arts and community organisations.

Artspoken Conference delegates heard from more than 75 speakers, across 40 sessions over the two days. Download Conference Program (PDF, 104 KB).

Keynote Speakers
John Knell: Democratisation of Culture

• new relationships for people, art and art organisations
• participatory and integrated cultural development
• Fourth pillar of sustainability

Podcast and transcript coming soon!

Edgar Heap of Birds: Indigenous Public Art

• telling stories
• building a sense of place
• cultural awareness and reconciliation with past

Podcast and transcript coming soon

The conference finished on a high note with the very entertaining great debate. In a surprisingly literal interpretation, Wesley Enoch and Charlie Cush argued that Arts are the icing on the cake. However, Lewis Jones and Bridget Boyle emerged victorious with their equally creative stance that the arts are the yeast in the bread.

The highlight of the Conference Dinner was the presentation of the Regional Arts and Culture Awards by Leigh Tabrett, Deputy Director-General, Arts Queensland. The Awards recognise people who encourage participation in the arts and ignite creativity in their community through innovative and exciting initiatives.

Winners:

• Mary River Festival: Gympie, Building Strong Communities
• Bribie Island Festival: Arts Participation
• Choir of Unheard Voices: RADF, Mackay
• Aurukun’s Before Time Today - Reinventing Tradition in Aurukun Aboriginal Art: IRADF
• Annabel Tully: Bunginderry Artist Camp, Quilpie, Creative Spaces and Places

• Volunteering ($2,500 Professional Development bursaries)
• Lee Fullarton, Cheryl Charlton, Suzanne Kelly (Primary Arts Network Ipswich)
• Avril Fazel (Wine Women and Song, WQ)
• Patricia Nuttall (Music Theatre Director, Burdekin)
• Mariam Arcilla (Cultural Developer Gold Coast)

The Regional Arts and Culture Awards publication is a showcase that celebrates excellence through acknowledging outstanding arts and cultural work. Download the Regional Arts and Culture Awards book (PDF, 5 MB).

One of the principles of the conference was sustainability (green arts practice) and reducing our carbon footprint. As part of this, the conference satchels were re-usable and foldable Envirosax bags. Rather than bottled water for the delegates, reusable aluminum drink bottles were included and Bundaberg Regional Council set up water stations in the main venue. Catering featured local produce including Mamino ice cream, dried fruit and bottled soft drinks. Finally a local transport company provided shared shuttle services for delegates between accommodation and conference venues.

Archives of previous conferences:

• artspeak 2009 - Queensland Regional Arts and Culture Conference
• Takin' it to the tropics - 2007 RADF conference