Brisbane-based Zen Zen Zo has just finished the first week of Zeitgeist at the Edinburgh Festival and have had phenomenal success. The show sold out its first night and won a five-star review in the media. It is being lauded as "highly original" and "cutting-edge Australian physical theatre". Circa has had a number of producers in to view the work, so fingers crosssed that a tour eventuates. They are also about to submit a Spotlight application for Zeitgeist and a Searchlight application for In The Company of Shadows, a new work with Emma Dean and Jacob Diefenbach, for the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) in 2010. Both are also having seasons at the Adelaide Fringe next year.
The Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts provides nationally recognised accredited training and all courses are Abstudy approved. Auditions will be held in Brisbane on Friday 6 and Friday 13 November for Singing, Dancing, Acting and Music courses to start in February 2010. Visit the ACPA website for all course info or call 07 3846 7211.
Federal Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett has announced two new key national appointments in the fields of visual arts and literature.
Michael Snelling, Director of the 2009 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, has been appointed chair of the Artbank Advisory Board. Mr Snelling has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Major Brisbane Festivals and a selector for Australia's representation at the Venice and the Indian Biennale. He also served as director of the Institute of Modern Art in Brisbane. Artbank was set up in 1980 to promote quality Australian contemporary art through its rental scheme.
Mr Garret also announced Professor Dennis Haskell as chair of the Australia Council Literature Board. Prof Haskell is an Australian literature specialist and is Professor of English and Cultural Studies and chair of the Academics Board at the University of Western Australia. He replaces Imre Salusinszky as Chair.
Legendary Queensland film and television actor Ray Barrett has passed away, leaving colleagues and critics with only their memories of a man who became one of Australia's finest actors.
Barrett, born in 1927 in Brisbane, was 82 when he passed away on the Gold Coast on 8 September. His passing leaves a large hole in Australia's entertainment industry as Barrett was a man who impressed many with his skill across both stage and screen. The star of films such as Don's Party, Goodbye Paradise and Brilliant Lies, Barrett started his career in Brisbane at Radio 4BH as the office boy but soon was heard on air. He moved to Sydney in 1954 where he was heard often on radio before he moved to the UK to work and then returned to Australia where he was offered the lead role in David Williamson's Don's Party. He was last seen on the big screen in Australia as Ramsden.
Many key players in Australia's literary and movie scene had much to say about Barrett after his passing. Such as writer Bob Ellis, who told The Australian's Graeme Blundell, that Barrett's attitude to acting was one of "contemptuousness and defiance and a not unjustified assertion of the talent he possessed."
Brisbane-based Zen Zen Zo's production of Zeitgeist at the Edinburgh Festival has had phenomenal success. The show sold out its first night and won a five-star review in the media. It is being lauded as "highly original" and "cutting-edge Australian physical theatre". Circa has had a number of producers in to view the work, so fingers crosssed that a tour eventuates. They are also about to submit a Spotlight application for Zeitgeist and a Searchlight application for In The Company of Shadows, a new work with Emma Dean and Jacob Diefenbach, for the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) in 2010. Both are also having seasons at the Adelaide Fringe next year.
The Australian Government has released a discussion paper outlining proposals for public to contribute ideas on making the Commonwealth's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (ATSIHP Act) to protect Indigenous heritage.
Heritage Minister Peter Garrett said they will seek feedback on Indigenous heritage law of the ATSIHP Act 1984, and how it could promote a more cooperative approach to Indigenous heritage protection nationally.
"It's important to make sure that any reforms to this legislation give Indigenous Australians the best opportunities to protect their traditional heritage, in balance with other social and economic considerations. This will help Australians to maintain their traditions and cultural identity, ensuring Australia's exceptional cultural heritage is conserved and shared for generations to come."
Comments on the proposed reforms should be made in writing to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. More information about the consultation process and access to the discussion paper is available online
Lyndon Terracini To Leave Major Brisbane Festivals
Lyndon Terracini, the Major Brisbane Festivals CEO and Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival 2009 will leave to commence a new position as Artistic Director of Opera Australia on the completion of Brisbane Festival 2009.
Lyndon has delivered highly successful events and putting to use his exceptional creative talents, has programmed Brisbane Festival 2009 with a narrative in mind. Audiences will be encouraged to think about today's society and to contemplate positive ways of moving into the future. Arts Queensland congratulates Lyndon Terracini on his new appointment.
Brisbane Festival will launch the 2009 programme on July 8.
Brisbane Festival will take place from September 12 to October 3.
Website
Congratulations to arts luminaries philanthropist and leading art dealer Philip Bacon AM and singer, songwriter and educator Kevin Carmody, who have been named Queensland Greats by Premier Anna Bligh. The Premier said Queensland Greats had made a remarkable and highly individual contribution, not just in their field, but to the broader Queensland community and are an inspiration to all. Philip Bacon is a well regarded art dealer, patron and philanthropist. He established Philip Bacon Galleries in 1974 which plays an educational and commercial role in the thriving Brisbane art scene. The gallery has established itself as Brisbane's leading commercial gallery and has attracted clients and artists from around the nation. Philip is undoubtedly one of Australia's most successful commercial gallery dealers and has dedicated his service to the State through roles on boards of cultural authorities, universities and foundations. Nationally and internationally renowned singer and songwriter Kevin Carmody has worked tirelessly as an Aboriginal advocate promoting awareness of Indigenous issues through his music and academic achievements. Kevin has released seven critically acclaimed albums and as a tribute to his songwriting skills, has had an album of his songs recorded by some of Australia's most prominent artists. Kevin continues to inspire people with his passionate songwriting and storytelling and for his years of service as educator, writer and producer.
Three leading historians, Dr Judith McKay, Susan Addison and Dr Raymond Evans are the winners of the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) Awards in Q150 year announced in June. Dr McKay and Ms Addison received the $20,000 John Oxley Fellowship to help further their research into Queensland?s rich and diverse culinary heritage while Dr Evans received the $5000 John Oxley Library Award for his outstanding work, A History of Queensland (2007), which was short-listed for the 2008 Prime Minister?s Literary Award for non-fiction.
Brisbane artist Gemma Smith has been named the Clayton Utz Travelling Arts Scholarship winner for 2009 by The Hon. Judy Spence MP at a special function held at the Metro Arts Gallery announced on June 2. She will receive $10,000 towards further travel and study to research art practices with a particular interest in Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica. The Scholarship is awarded annually to a Queensland-based visual artist or an artist with a close connection to the state who can demonstrate their commitment to artistic practice.
Geoffrey Rush has won aTony Award for his Broadway performance in Exit the King. Toowoomba-born Rush, who started his acting career in Brisbane with the Queensland Theatre Company, now has a selection of highly coveted awards - a Tony, an Emmy, two Golden Globes and an Oscar. Rush won in the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play category. He adapted Euguene Ionesco's play with director Neil Armfield and first staged it in Sydney and Melbourne in 2007. This original production also starred two other Queensland greats - Bille Brown and composer John Rodgers.
The Basil Sellers Art Prize seeks to offer artists substantial rewards which acknowledge their achievements and support their professional development through an award and exhibition with a national profile. The cash award to the winning artist in this acquisitive art prize is $100,000 (excl. GST). Artists shortlisted for the exhibition of finalists will receive a $3,000 participation fee (excl GST). The exhibition itself will be supported by a catalogue, public programs and a promotional campaign. A further prize of $5,000 (excl GST) will be awarded to one of the exhibiting finalists on the basis of votes in the People's Choice Award.
Artists are invited to approach the theme of sport in whatever way best suits both their practice and their attitude to sport: positively or critically, directly or indirectly. Submissions may refer to existing art works, proposed art works or both. The aim of the prize is to encourage artists to develop their practice, not to steer them down a path they would not usually follow.
This is the second biannual award in a ten-year cycle. Over the life of the Basil Sellers Art Prize, we hope to change perceptions of the relationship between sport and art. We welcome your entry.
Entry forms can be dowloaded from the website
Arts Queensland congratulates our Indigenous artists who were winners at the Australia Council's National Indigenous Art Awards in Sydney on 27 May.
Printmaker Fiona Elisala from the Torres Strait was named joint winner of the inaugural Emerging and Young Artist Award alongsisde Sydney artist Jessica Birk. Elisala will put the $5000 prize money towards a children's picture book about the clans and totems of her country. Another Queensland artist Gordon Hookey received a three-month residency at the Albers Foundation in Connecticut. Yolngu painter Gawirrin Gumana received the $50,000 Red Ochre award, Australia's most prestigious prize for an Indigenous artist.
Dancenorth's new artistic director Raewyn Hill as Artistic Director has confirmed building an ensemble and having a strong repertoire will be a key part of her new role at the Townsville company.
New Zealander Hill will take up her appointment from 1 January 2010 and comes to Dancenorth following an extensive worldwide selection process.
Chair of the Dancenorth Board Mike Butler said: "We received many high quality applicants for this position and Raewyn's success is testament to Dancenorth's focus to connect with our community and re-energise dance as focused within our region. As a mature relationship-driven leader Raewyn has the capacity to drive the company forward through highly skilled artistic management to catalyse the company's growth by a strong, refined vision".
New Zealand born and trained, Raewyn is highly regarded for her flair in balancing a strong physicality with a precise technical vocabulary and has managed her own professional dance company for many years. She is currently Artist in Residence at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; has created eight full length works including Angels with Dirty Feet; A dance for the forgotten; We are gathered here today, When Love Comes Calling, and most recently Finders Keepers; and will be Artist in Residence at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris from August to October this year.
"I am thrilled about my move to Townsville to work with Dancenorth. I look forward to strengthening Dancenorth's profile within the Australian dance industry and am especially keen to encourage the company's engagement with the Townsville community," Hill said.
"Dancenorth has produced world class contemporary dance work and I am thrilled to be joining the company at this time and getting my feet on the ground in early 2010".
Hill replaces outgoing director Gavin Webber. Her appointment is eight weeks out from the premiere of Dancenorth's new production Nowhere Fast, choreographed by Raewyn's close friend and fellow New Zealander Ross McCormack, on 1-5 July in Townsville.
Industry and Dancenorth audiences will have the opportunity to meet incoming Artistic Director Raewyn Hill at the company's third Art for Art Sake installment, the Nowhere Fast dinner & show on Saturday 4 July with tickets from $50. Bookings are open now and can be taken online at www.dancenorth.com.au, at the company's venue on the corner of Stanley & Walker Streets or via phone on 07 4772 2549.
Aspiring artists living in the outer communities of the Torres Strait will can now access training at home through Gab Titui Cultural Centre.
Gab Titui will deliver week-long visual arts training workshops on Iama, Boigu, Poruma and Mabuiag Islands as result of a new partnership between Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE (TNQIT).
As reported in The Koori Mail (20 May 2009), TSRA Chairperson Toshie Kris said Arts Queensland contributed $40,000 in support for Gab Titui Cultural Centre $40,000 through its Backing Indigenous Arts program to build the capacity of artists living in the outer island communities.
The visual arts training workshops will help artists across the Torres Strait prepare work for market, including the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, 21-23 August 2009, and increase their opportunities to build a profile and generate a better income from their art.
To find out more about Arts Queensland visit the website
Three of Queensland's leading artists are in the running for Australia's richest Indigenous contemporary art award.
Tony Albert, Ricardo Idagi, and Dennis Nona are among 15 finalists for the $50,000 Western Australia Indigenous Art Award to be announced on 24 July. They were selected from more than 213 nominations from Indigenous artists across Australia.
All three of the short-listed artists will have new work on sale at the first Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), 21-23 August, at the Tanks Arts Centre. To find out more about the CIAF visit the website and the Art Gallery of WA award visit the website.
The Australian Government has announced it will indemnify artworks loaned for the Queensland Art Gallery exhibition American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met.
This is the first time in 20 years that New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art has loaned works from its collection to Australia, and this has been made possible by the Government's Art Indemnity Australia (AIA) program.
The exhibition is an incredible opportunity for Australians to see artworks painted by masters of American Impressionism and Realism such as Mary Cassat, John Singer Sargent, and James McNeil Whistler. Importantly, it is also an opportunity to see artworks by great Australian painters who have been influenced by the American schools. The exhibition contains 71 American Impressionist and Realist artworks of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, loaned from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
The exhibition will include over 30 paintings by Australian Impressionist and Edwardian artists including the remarkable Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts and Charles Conder borrowed from both public and private Australian collections.
By providing indemnity the Government is helping to bring this and other exhibitions to Australia. The AIA program provides Australians with wide access to the world's cultural treasures through significant international exhibitions, and develops cultural relations with many of world's greatest art museums.
The exhibition goes on show at the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane from 30 May 2009 to 20 September 2009. More information at the website.
The Australian Government will tackle many of the core themes addressed by the Creative Stream at the Australia 2020 Summit, including arts education, funding support, public access to arts and culture, and the importance of Indigenous culture.
The Government will support a dedicated, commercial-free ABC digital children's channel which will provide children with access to quality, child-appropriate content to support their development.
Recognising the critical importance of Indigenous culture to Australia's identity, the Australian Government will also take the first steps towards an Indigenous Cultural Education and Knowledge Centre as a place for celebrating Indigenous culture and as a source of information, advice and research."
Additionally, the Government has already delivered on a number of ideas generated by the Creative Australia stream, where the critical importance of increasing the opportunity for connection to the arts was identified..
The Government has secured the agreement of all state and territory education ministers to ensure arts education is included in the national curriculum and an Artists-in-Residence schools program, which will bring arts practitioners into our primary, secondary and tertiary schools to teach students and teachers about contemporary arts practice.
The Creative Australia Advisory Group, which includes Creative Stream co-chairs Cate Blanchett and Julianne Schultz, will discuss and develop ideas around a national cultural policy, private sector support for the arts and support arrangements for artists."
The Australian Government's response to the 2020 Australia summit can be found at Australia 2020
Arts Minister Peter Garrett announced $1.2 million in funding for 16 national strategic cultural development projects across regional Australia.
Through the national strategic component of the Regional Arts Fund program, Regional Arts Australia will administer these 16 projects as part of a four-year framework developed in collaboration with the Regional Arts Organisations across Australia.
Isolated communities are a particular focus of the funding which will cover a range of activities including dance, song, photography and technical production. Highlights of the 16 funded projects include:
For more information visit Regional Arts
The Queensland Government and the Centre for Social Impact have joined forces to research one of the central themes to emerge from the Creative Australia Stream at the 2020 Summit in April 2008: how do we provide funding to support greater innovation, resilience and diversity in the Australian arts?
The Centre for Social Impact is a collaboration between the business schools of the University of New South Wales, Melbourne University and Swinburne University.
Professor Julianne Schultz, co-chair of the Creative Australia Stream and editor of Griffith REVIEW, said there is strong interest in new models of funding support for the arts and artists. There was concern that the current model limited the development of individual artists, risk-taking and at the same time constrained opportunities for philanthropists to extend the field.
"In discussions at the summit and subsequently, arts practitioners and supporters saw the need to explore new ways to link private and corporate philanthropy to the creation of original Australian work," she said.
"There was also discussion about a range of models to provide income support, foster innovation and build links to the broader economy. This project is being undertaken because it was recognised that to turn ideas into policy serious research was needed. It is interesting to note that similar discussions are happening around the world as the global financial crisis has an impact on the sector."
Professor Schultz said that the committed group of artists and art supporters involved in the 2020 Creative Australia Stream had framed an important question. "I am delighted that the Centre for Social Impact and the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, have responded so positively," she said.
The research study will scan the arts funding system in Australia to find out if the needs of individual artists are being met and to see which programs are delivering the best outcomes for quality creative content.
Arts Queensland has already started this process by instigating a review of the impact of Australian and international taxation regimes on artists and arts organisations, to see which schemes best support artists and encourage private sector support for the arts.
Professor Peter Shergold, the Macquarie Group Foundation Chair at the Centre for Social Impact, said that the project offered exciting prospects for identifying the benefits of new forms of arts funding.
"There is a growing realisation across all economic sectors that financing models which engage the community and involve both philanthropists and Government, can provide a real difference at the source: to the workers and the creators who are the drivers of economic growth and social development,"
Professor Shergold said. "Leigh Tabrett and I share a view that the arts are fertile ground for exploring new and socially innovative ways of financing."
Peter Shergold and Julianne Schultz are co-chairing the steering committee for the project which includes Leigh Tabrett, Deputy Director General, Arts Queensland, David Gonski, businessman and former Chair of the Australia Council, Professor David Throsby, arts economist from Macquarie University, Cathy Hunt, cultural strategist and co-director of Positive Solutions, Robyn Archer, art festival director and singer, Frank Moorhouse, writer and Professor Mark Lyons, director of research at the Centre for Social Impact.
Professor Shergold said that the range of skills and experience in the steering committee would ensure that the project addressed the key areas of research, brought real expertise to the program and would ensure the project remained focused on practical outcomes.
The report: Arts Plus: New Models, New Money will research current financing programs in Australia, both private and public, to find out who is benefiting from the funds.
It will explore models from overseas and from different sectors of the economy. It will also glean from a range of individual artists and benefactors information about the types of incentives which can help them achieve their goals. The report will recommend options for new models of financing for further detailed exploration. It is due to be completed by mid-2009.
Blogging in Brisbane 
- visit and share your thoughts about the arts on the performing arts blog.
Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | 
Other languages
© The State of Queensland (Arts Queensland) 2009.
