Arts Queensland's focus on supporting the development of Indigenous theatre has grown in response to the significant reservoir of national Indigenous creative talent and work that resides within the State.
Arts Queensland recognises this is a strength waiting to be tapped, with an opportunity to build on Queensland's leadership capacity in Indigenous arts and strengthen existing outcomes with major festivals and companies to deliver a vision that is owned by Indigenous Australian performing artists and communities.
One of the ways this is moving forward is through the National Indigenous Theatre Forum, held on 21 August, 2010, at the Cairns Centre for Contemporary Arts as part of the 2010 Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair. The forum sought to identify shared priorities for the growth of a vibrant and strong theatre ecology, by bringing together over 50 leading Indigenous theatre workers from around Australia for two days of discussion, provocation and celebration.
At the National Indigenous Theatre Forum Queensland Theatre Company Artistic Director Wesley Enoch acted as facilitator for forum discussions using an 'open space' format. This approach ensured all participants were able to identify areas for discussion and propose actions to leverage opportunities and address challenges. The process resulted in the development of The Cairns Consensus, an industry driven statement and action plan to move the sector forward.
The Cairns Consensus recognises that Indigenous theatre is integral to our cultural identity and plays an important role in the broader artistic vibrancy of Australia. The forum agreed to progress a national approach to the development of the Indigenous theatre sector.
Arts Queensland and the Australia Council for the Arts supported the forum.
The Indigenous Theatre Fund, a joint initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body, offers a total of $259, 000 for distribution in 2010.
The Fund was established following a state-wide consultation process that provided opportunities for Indigenous communities and stakeholders throughout Queensland, to inform government of what Indigenous theatre in Queensland needs to be and what it needs to deliver for communities, artists and audiences. Findings from the Indigenous Theatre Consultation Outcome Report (PDF 79KB) will be used by Arts Queensland to inform decision making for future investment and support in this area.
Date: Saturday 20 August – Sunday 21 August 2011
Time: 9am - 4pm
Venue: JUTE Theatre
Address: Cairns Centre of Contemporary Arts, 96 Abbott St. Cairns QLD 487O
The forum follows on from last year's successful inaugural forum which was held during CIAF 2010. The forum is a shared space where participants are able to collaboratively develop a national approach for the advancement of Australia's Indigenous theatre community.
Photo: Wesley Enoch, facilitator for National Indigenous Theatre Forum. Photo: Evelyn Golding.
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