July eNews
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For some, time with Regional Arts Victoria has been a family affair. Take Julie Dyer and David Madden, for instance. Over some decades now, Julie and David have contributed at a Board level, as Regional Arts Fund panel members, and made frequent appearances at events – the Annual General Meeting in particular being one they are wont to attend.
Both were involved during the years the Victorian Arts Council was repositioned as Regional Arts Victoria, guiding the organisation through one of the more dramatic shifts in its 50 year history, and both were generous in their reflections on this time when we caught up last month.
Though history might not repeat, it does have a tendency to offer up some timeless lessons. Understanding how we as an organisation have shifted and evolved over time requires we return, as often as we are able, to the shifters and evolvers themselves for context, clarity and energy.
You might not be able to choose your family, but you can choose your cause. How fortunate for us that the Madden and Dyer family made Regional Arts Victoria one of theirs.
Joe Toohey
CEO
PARTNERSHIPS
Festivals and Fellowship
The Partnerships team are excited by the recent additions to the categories of the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund in Victoria.
We are very pleased to announce the inaugural Regional Arts Fund Fellowship grant opening this round.
We also have a new Community Grant category: The Small Festivals Grants are available for small, volunteer run arts festivals to employ a professional (regionally based) arts worker. This is replacing the Toe in the Water category.
PLEASE NOTE
Round 2, Community Grants CLOSE Monday 19 August 2019 at 5.00pm for projects starting after 1 January 2020.
We encourage you to think about your planned arts activity and whether or not you might be eligible to apply to the fund.
Please refer to the funding pages of our website to read the guidance materials and then contact a member of the Partnerships team if you wish to discuss an application.
WHAT IS THE REGIONAL ARTS FUND?
The Regional Arts Fund is designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities across Australia.
The objectives of the Fund are to support and promote participation in, and access to, arts and culture in regional and remote Australia by:
* Increasing employment and professional development opportunities for, and raising the profile of, regional and remote artists.
* Encouraging and supporting sustainable economic, social and cultural development in regional communities;
* Developing partnerships and networks that leverage financial and/or in-kind support for specific projects and encourage ongoing collaboration;
* Developing audiences and broadening community engagement with the arts.
Image Currency by Kim Sargent-Wishart
Home is Where the Hall is
From bake-off's to Bollywood, flea markets to films festivals, and poetry to performance, our regional community halls have seen it all, as part of Home is Where the Hall is.
After nine wonderful years of community driven activity, the Home is Where the Hall is initiative has now come to a close and we could not be more thrilled with its success. Today we look back, celebrating the program and the memories created. Congratulations to the community leaders and projects that have activated our much loved halls. Read more here.
PARTNERSHIPS
Art is... Unexpected
The Wimmera based Art is… festival is seeking expressions of interest from professional artists to lead the community in an art making/a community led project for the 25th year of the festival.
They are open to any medium but the successful submission needs to provide opportunities for locals to learn new skills and engage with a visiting professional artist.
Image: Arts Is Festival
PARTNERSHIPS
Arts Connect Series
This year, Arts Connect – our series of free professional development events – has travelled across the state to Wangaratta, Whitfield, Dookie and Mildura. As well as delivering events tailored to the specific regional community needs, we have hosted Arts Law and Auspicious Arts Incubator in a variety of locations. Arts Connect is on a brief hiatus while the Organisation and Supporter Member renewal process is underway, but we’ll be back in business from October starting in Campaspe Shire. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be visiting a town near you! Stay tuned for details via our ENews.
Image by Serana Hunt Hughes. Arts Connect Dookie
PROGRAMMING
Making tours happen
The Programming Department are doing just that at the moment.
Regional Arts Victoria loves being the open door between artists and performing arts centres to make tours happen. We love it when companies who present at Showcase Victoria get a performance outcome in regional Victoria.
After Showcase Victoria, a selection panel of Venue Managers who are members of the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC), our Programming team and performing arts industry leaders gather to determine which companies may benefit from Regional Arts Victoria tour coordination services. It's a service we offer through Touring Services (touring to PACs), Connecting Places (touring to halls) and Arts & Education (touring to schools) to support a broad range of tours to regional Victoria.
Regional Arts Victoria also runs open Expressions of Interest to tour specifically through Connecting Places and Arts & Education. Connecting Places recently held their Community Presenter panel finalising its 2020 touring program for halls. We are eager to share our outstanding 2020 Connecting Places program with you, due to launch on Tuesday 23 July. The program includes shows selected from Showcase Victoria, with lots of interest from Community Presenters, and selections from our Expression of Interest process.
The Arts & Education consultation panel meets this Thursday 4 July to assist in shaping a diverse program for next year. The 2020 Arts & Education program launches on Thursday 22 August. Sign up here to hear all about it.
Our job? Making tours happen.
Image by Masterworks Media Production. Archie Roach, 'Tell Me Why' at Showcase Victoria 2019.
Just for you.
PROGRAMMING
A Taste of Africa
Feel the rhythm of the drums, explore the raw energy of the dance and be captivated by the culture in this well rounded, educational incursion program.
Dates available Monday 26 August, Friday 30 August, Monday 2 September, Thursday 5 September
Fees $1200 + GST LESS any eligible subsidy. Click here to find out more about our fantastic subsidy program.
Image courtesy of Asanti Dance Theatre. A Taste of Africa
PROGRAMMING
Loose Ends
Jen looking for mini inventors and curious kids to help him create a marvellous show. Two day stay in your community working with young people and incorporating the workshop outcomes into the show.
Dates available Wednesday 18/Thursday 19 September 2019
Fees $3, 250 + GST
Image courtesy of Jens Altheimer. Loose Ends.
#RAVontheroad
PROGRAMMING
Children Are Stinky by Circus Trick Tease by NCM
1 July - 4 October
High energy and great circus skills with a great 90's soundtrack!
Mission Songs Project by Jessie Lloyd Music
9 - 12 July
The Mission Songs Project faithfully explores the musical journey of Indigenous music
Melbourne Chamber Orchestra
27 July
Music brimming with inspiration, magic and discovery.
Robot Song by Arena Theatre Company
1 - 13 July
A smart young girl befriends a discarded robot and together they find their true voice.
Swansong by Red Hot Productions
26 July - 10 August
Swansong is a mighty tour de force monodrama faultlessly executed
Stardust + The Mission by The Space Company
20 July - 14 September
Tales of love, music and war - and all the things that get left behind...
Three Birds One Cock by Three Birds Theatre
1 July - 12 August
Hitchcock's iconic blondes star in a black comedy dripping with noir, glamour, murder and suspense.
Image by Theresa Harrison. Children Are Stinky by Circus Trick Tease by NCM.
Opportunities
Regional Arts Victoria are seeking a highly experienced candidate to manage their Connecting Places Program. Closes 12noon Monday 29 July
The Next Chapter applications close 12 July
Copywright Agency Create Grants for writers and visual artists close 19 August
VicArts Grants open 25 July, close 22 August.
Community History Awards applications close 19 July
FRRR grants: diverse grant programs with varying closing dates in July and August
Aesthetic Verges.
Michelle Roger is a blogger and speaker and writes about Dysautonomia and life as a disabled woman. Her work has appeared in ‘The Victorian Writer’ and ‘Kill Your Darlings’ and online for Writers Victoria, ABC RampUp and multiple support groups. Michelle tells us more about her experience in residence as part of Come and Play all of May.
Image courtesy of Michelle Roger
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