Communicating with listeners and tackling social issues in a direct way is one of radio's strengths.

With $50,000 in funding from Backing Indigenous Arts, the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association (BIMA) established a partnership between BBC World Radio and 99.8FM Murri Radio to develop Indigenous writing and content.

Kate Rowlands from BBC London worked with BIMA staff and Indigenous writers/performers on their scripting techniques and skills to engage diverse audiences. One of the goals of the workshop was to develop radio segments that confronted social issues such as healthy lifestyles, suicide and crime prevention.

Following on from the 2008 success, Arts Queensland again partnered with BIMA this year with a $125,000 investment from Backing Indigenous Arts to pilot the Performance Writing for Radio training program. This program enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build skills in scripting and producing high quality radio dramas.

With an emphasis on local, national and international community engagement in the project, both the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) have had significant input into the structure and content of the training program.

Participants in the Performance Writing for Radio project will undertake either a Certificate III in Media or a Certificate IV in Screen and Media. These training programs have a strong, but not exclusive focus on radio writing. Participants will script and sound produce a series of radio dramas for their local community radio station, and will be mentored by high-profile Indigenous writers that will develop their protege's skills and build their confidence so they can pitch their unique radio dramas to a wider national and international audience.

National Indigenous TV network (NITV) has agreed to provide airtime for content developed by BIMA from this project. NITV broadcasts nationally on Foxtel/Austar and on Channel 31 in remote Aboriginal communities.

BIMA
BIMA Training

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We welcome feedback and contributions to Arts Update. Please contact the editor, Colleen Turner on (07) 3225 8841 or email artsupdate@arts.qld.gov.au