|
|
|
|
|
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
|
|
|
|
Just three years ago the Australia Council reported that: “The arts have a place in the life of 98% of Australians.” (1) What an extraordinary and wonderful piece of data; that artists from all backgrounds affect most people in most places within our wide, diverse and beautiful country. However, when Covid-19 hit, our arts and cultural industry was the first to fall, and fall hard it did.
|
|
|
Having already started from a place far behind, it is sobering to note that a key finding in the same report showed that creative income averaged $18,000 per annum, which is very low considering that Australia's minimum wage is $32,000 per annum (2). What’s more, the gender gap shows that women artists earn 25% less - averaging $13,500 for their creative income. These earnings are well within the dire poverty zone and this fact is regardless of place.
Western Riverina Arts is searching for ways to provide solutions through infrastructure, career pathways and other economically driven avenues for regional artists in the area. The fact that artists affect most of the population but receive the very least in return makes their cost to benefit ratio one of the widest, and most up-valued in society. For every dollar that is spent on an individual artist, an extraordinary social outcome eventuates.
We would like to remind everyone that Western Riverina Arts is a trustee for a direct grant fund for artists and cultural workers. In these really hard-hitting times, think about those who are the mainstayers of culture, who bring intelligence, joy, fun, beauty, history and presence to all that society is doing on a daily basis, whilst also preserving what the nation has done in the past. At the heart are our Indigenous Artists, who have kept a cultural record for millennia and continue to evolve a modern stream of living art that is a wonder to behold. Artists are our social archivists, attracting public interest, enthralling visitors, and instilling educational intelligence into all aspects of our community for the benefit of young and old.
And we witness another outcome; in Covid-19 artists are bouncing back, filling our screens and continuing to influence nearly every Australian. If you would like to support these unsung heroes in the Western Riverina area, Tax Deductible donations can be made to Western Riverina Arts’ Trust Account that will either go to an artist of your choice, or directly to benefiting artists through micro-grant funds, with no admin costs along the way.
Details: Western Riverina Arts Inc. Westpac. BSB: 032-757 Account No: 183749. Direct message on FB or email us through the website westrivarts.com.au and a receipt will be issued. You can either be named or anonymous, but most of all, you will be thanked!! Keep well, keep safe.
Aanya Whitehead – Executive Director
______________________
(1) Council for the Arts 2017, Connecting Australia Australians: Results of the National Arts Participation Survey. Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney. http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/research/connecting-australians/
(2) Australian Government National Commission of Audit. 9.11 Unemployment benefits and the minimum wage of 2014. Australian Government, Canberra. https://www.ncoa.gov.au/report/appendix-volume-1/9-11-unemployment-benefits-minimum-wage
|
|
|
At the start of March we attended an invaluable workshop on managing and curating museum collections. Vanessa Thorne, curator of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS), travelled to Narrandera to teach us about object selection, documentation fundamentals, cataloguing and acquisition processes.
|
|
|
|
A huge congratulations goes to Griffith based Artist Anthea da Silva who received the inaugural Darling Portrait Prize, for her portrait of Elizabeth Cameron-Dalman OAM awarded by the National Portrait Gallery. What an immense and historical achievement! Image: Alex Ellinghausen.
|
|
|
|
We visited Veronica Collins, for a chat and to see the latest projects she’s been working on. Veronica is a leading local Wiradjuri artist who has been practising her art and exhibiting in major galleries all over Australia, including the former Hogarth Galleries, Paddington for over 20 years.The painting featured is called ‘Misty Dawn’. Contact us if you would like to enquire after one of her very collectable works.
|
|
|
|
The first of The Riverina Lectures was led by Vic McEwan of The CAD Factory live from his Tate Liverpool Art Gallery and Museum Exchange Program Residency in the UK. Vic took us through a fascinating tour of his installation If They Spend the Time to Get to Know Me in partnership with Sydney Facial Nerve Clinic. We will be making the lecture available online in the coming months.
|
|
|
|
One of the last events held in the Riverina before the COVID-19 restrictions, the Griffith Bushfire Benefit Concert saw a great lineup of local talent perform at Memorial Park creating a fantastic night of fun, food and entertainment. The proceeds are still being tallied up and we will keep you posted. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who made this day possible. Pictured is Anastasia Comarin who sang with all her heart for the firies.
|
|
|
|
Travel down Mackay Ave in Griffith and your eyes will be drawn to the vibrant new art that has emerged over the last months. Congrats to Local artist and owner of the Green Gecko Garden Centre Lisa Taliano, along with artists Di Tarr and Romina Tappi, who have now finished this massive 90m long mural!
|
|
|
Our physical office has closed to the public for the duration of the Covid-19 National Jurisdictional Response, however we are still operating and you can reach us online - on all our social media platforms, via email comms@westrivarts.com.au or phone 0455 217 671. We care for our community's wellbeing, and if you work in the arts and need support or advice, please contact us.
|
|
|
HAPE KIDDLE
Our April artist of the month is Griffith based sculptor, teacher, goldsmith and
jade carver, Hape Kiddle. His beautiful hand-crafted pieces are strongly influenced by his deep connection to the natural world which we all are a part of.
Hape says this job is the highlight of his life, some of his most memorable moments in his career includes his commission with the National Museum and 'One Little Piece of Endless Sky' an exhibition which fused art and food with chef Luke Piccolo of Limone Dining in Griffith.
Hape shared with us how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted his arts practice:
"Where I've had my next eight months pretty much organised, there is now nothing. My income disappeared after the 500 people ban was introduced as I would have had around eight workshops that I'd travel to and teach through different institutions. The Maleny Wood Festival, Perth Wood Festival and Collaborative WA are major events I would normally demonstrate at and teach directly afterwards, which have also been cancelled.
I'm in my workshop now almost without direction, which is both really freeing because I can do anything I want, but all of a sudden there's no absolutes that have to get done, there's about 1000 possibilities of what I can do next. At least when you're working towards something continuously, that's a really good engine, but at the moment I have no events that I'm working towards. It's probably the first time in a decade that I literally have nothing I'm working towards.
It hasn't ended my practice by any means, but what it has done is completely and utterly removed the income aspect of it. There's only so long you can go forward, before other decisions will have to be made, and I'm doing my absolute best to work out how I can maintain my practice and maintain my income throughout this. It's really easy to fall in a heap and be overwhelmed, but I think there is a lot of positivities to be had in this situation and they will reveal themselves. The world has changed, and I don't ever think it will be the same again. There is a benefit in being forced to navigate the ways you can continue to express yourself through work, and engage an audience in different forms of mediums. As a teacher I have had students, whose emotional and mental health have benefited through carving, reach out to me, and we've established a deeper connection at this time. I think there is a lot of goodness hidden inside of what's happening, it's a challenge, but I'm actually feeling quite good by it all."
Hape is available for commission work but he also has a beautiful range of art you can view on his website, which regularly gets updated as new collections are added to his store in special releases. Look out for his upcoming online carving workshops - he will be hosting lessons for beginner to advanced students, and you can leave an Expression of Interest if you would like a one on one class. Keep up to date with Hape's activities by subscribing to the mailing list on his website and by following his Instagram page.
|
|
|
Image credits: Sarah Brown. Story by Camille Whitehead, 7th April 2020.
|
|
Arts Impact Surveys
It's been a deeply disturbing month for creative and cultural industries with events being downscaled, postponed, or cancelled - and artists are feeling the immediate effects. We are working with organisations across our region to devise strategies to deal with the current situation.
National Association for the Visual Arts is working closely with national peak organisations as well as state and federal ministries and government departments to understand these impacts and represent them in detail, so that government at all levels is in the best position to consider urgent policy and funding responses.
Has your work, or cultural and creative activities been affected? It is essential we get feedback from our Western Riverina community to better understand these impacts comprehensively. Please take the time to share and complete this survey.
Performers, production, photographers, crew, hospitality workers, managers, booking agents - if your event been cancelled, and work affected by COVID-19 restrictions we encourage you to also record the impact with I Lost My Gig Australia.
|
|
Copyright Agency releases $375,000 and brings forward $1.8m in Cultural Fund grants in COVID-19 support
The Copyright Agency has announced funding to support COVID-19 affected artists. The fund will support writers, visual artists, galleries and publishers and is comprised of six core elements:
• Virtual writers’ festivals
• Emergency action fund
• New commissioned literary works
• Funding for innovative online projects
• New commissioned visual arts work
• Funding for visual arts events
Get your applications in quickly - the various funds applications closing dates start from April 14th. |
|
|
Fee-Free Courses - COVID-19 Support
TAFE NSW is offering 21 fee-free accredited short courses to study online and gain new skills, change career path or grow your business. Courses include administration and Microsoft Office skills, accounting, website creation, social media and e-marketing. Find out more here.
|
|
|
Australia Council Announces New Resilience Fund And Re-opens Arts And Disability Mentorships
The Australia Council for the Arts has announced a new $5M Resilience Fund to support Australian artists, arts workers and arts organisations as a response to the COVID-19 crisis. The fund includes three streams:
𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞 - small grants for individuals, groups and organisations to offset or recoup financial losses due to cancelled activity.
𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭 - grants for individuals, groups and organisations to adapt their practice and explore new operating models.
𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 - grants for individuals, groups and organisations to continue to create artistic work and develop creative responses in a time of disruption.
Applications are now open, or you can read the full media release here.
|
|
Screenworks Small Grants Program
Screenworks has announced a Small Grants Program which will provide up to $750 to support screen practitioners and businesses in regional NSW to access professional support that may include:
- professional development opportunities for regional screen practitioners (eg. Online workshops or training) that will increase their knowledge, skills and experience
- access to business advice for freelancers or companies to help overcome the impacts of COVID-19 and how to recover after the crisis is over, or
- engaging screen industry consultants (eg. Script assessment) to support the development of projects that have received initial market interest that have the potential to create regional NSW screen jobs in the future.
|
|
|
COVID-19 FAQ's For Artists
If your gig or event has been cancelled, do you know your rights and obligations? Check out these COVID-19 FAQs for artists.
|
|
Audio-visual Technology Tutorials
Want to learn audio, video and software tutorials to help you stand out, including how to broadcast digital versions of your work, start a podcast or improve your work conferences? With over 14 years of experience teaching audio visual technology, Adam Bannister will help you upskill and successfully target your online audience. Head over to his Patreon page to find out more.
|
|
Sharon De Valentin
Griffith based artist Sharon De Valentin works in many mediums, but we particularly love her experimental encaustic paintings and her fabulous fibre sculptures, woven from reeds, tree branches and other natural materials. If you would like to support the local arts, head to her instagram page to view more of her works or send a message to sharondevalentin@gmail.com to enquire about commissions.
|
|
Art To Go!
Get local art delivered to your door! Artist Jason Richardson is selling his current publication Earthwords, with his zines Friend Advice and Notes From Last Night for $15 including postage and GST.
Earthwords collects material from his exhibition at Griffith Regional Art Gallery, represents scenes from the Riverina in photography and verse and invites the reader to collaborate using cut-up technique to create new haikus! Friend Advice collects and illustrates a variety of wisdom, and Notes From Last Night is an experiment in collaborating poetry with a machine learning service.
You can reach Jason at sauce@bassling.com to order your copies.
|
|
|
We're here to promote you!
In place of live events, we will be giving a shout out to artists working online. Do you have an e-Commerce store, YouTube, Patreon, Etsy, Society6 or Redbubble page? Are you currently taking commissions? Let us know about any of your upcoming online activities like webinars, livestreams, online classes or art competitions. Leave a comment below, get in touch via messenger, or email comms@westrivarts.com.au
|
|
|
Entries Open: The Basil Sellers Art Prize 2020
Eurobodalla’s beloved biennial art prize returns in 2020. The Basil Sellers Art Prize provides a platform for visual artists living in NSW and the ACT. This prestigious prize has supported artistic excellence and creative practice for almost 20 years.
Major Prize - open to artists living in NSW and the ACT: $20,000
Eurobodalla prize – open to Eurobodalla residents: $5,000
People's choice: $500
Key Entry Details
- The major prize is open to all Australian permanent residents living in NSW or the ACT.
- The Eurobodalla prize is open to all residents living in Eurobodalla.
- A non-refundable entry fee of $45 per entry (incl. GST) is required to enter.
- 2D mediums only, including painting, drawing, print-making and mixed media. Excluding photography and digital media.
- There is no theme.
- Artworks must have been created from 1 January 2019.
- All works must be for sale.
For more information and to enter please visit: www.thebas.com.au/basil-sellers-art-prize
|
|
Creative Connections Webinar Series
Australia Council for the arts are running free online programs and resources via Zoom. The program is focused around the key themes of leadership, digital and arts practice adaptation. The weekly session times are on e very Wednesday, 3-4pm and Friday, 11am-12pm. Topics include:
Leadership adaptation
- Leadership in crisis with Daniel Murray
- Looking after yourself and others - mental health in complex environments with Greta Bradman & Tracy Margieson, Arts Wellbeing Collective
- Coaching, mentoring and peer support in uncertain times with Professor Judith McLean
- Leading people through the change continuum with Penny Miles
- Balancing responsibility and innovation in volatile times with Ananth Gopal & Tom Henderson, Polykala
- Communication in times of crisis with Elly Baxter
- Understanding self as leader in times of crisis with Aunty Dr Tjanara Goreng Goreng (Wakka Wakka and Wulli Wulli peoples)
- Long term advocacy in a time of crisis with Dr Amanda Tattersall
- Strategy through uncertainty with George Liacos
Digital adaptation
- Platforms for distribution and experiencing of digital works with Dr Christy Dena
- What audiences want online with Tandi Palmer Williams, Patternmakers
- Business models and monetising digital work with Peter Tullin, Remix Summit
- Google Creative Lab: A digital playbook for the arts
- First Nations protocols in a digital space with Dr Terri Janke (Wuthathi and Meriam peoples)
- Workshops and facilitating online with Dr Tristan Schultz (Gamilaroi people)
- Understanding the technology for non-technology people: Streaming with to be announced
- Making, collaborating and rehearsing work for digital with kelli mccluskey, pvi collective
- Going digital: Copyright and licensing with Elliott Bledsoe
Arts practice adaptation
- Tips for an independent artist with Lenine Bourke
- Contract law and renegotiation with Suzanne Derry, Arts Law
- Collaboration: the good, the bad and the ugly with Mish Grigor, Eugenia Lim & Lara Thoms, APHIDS
- Intercultural Working with Mark Yettica-Paulson (Birrah, Gamilaroi and Bundjalung peoples)
- The arts Business Model Canvas with Tarra van Amerongen, AFTRS
- Arts Governance: Now more than ever with Patrick Moriarty, Our Community
- Rethinking inclusive practices with Dr Riona Tindal, Accessible Arts
- Finance for non-finance leaders with Kevin du Preez
- Climate Change and arts leadership with Alec Reade
- Gendered Leadership with Vincent Silk
|
|
Narrandera Shire Council Weekly Photo Comp
Grab your phone or camera and capture the stunning flora and fauna that you see either at home or while out exercising with your family. To enter, post your picture on your Instagram or Facebook accounts and you must tag @narranderashirecouncil.
The weekly winning photograph will receive a $50 shop local voucher and will feature on Council's Facebook and website. Winners are announced every Monday.
|
|
|
Online Weekly Art Challenge
The Leeton Art Society Inc are running weekly online art challenges. Post and share your works to the page - a great way to keep creative while at home for all skill levels. The first challenge was 'pears' which resulted in over 40 creative works! Head to the Facebook group to join in the fun.
|
|
|
|
Virtual Bunting Together Project
Narrandera Arts have created a new bunting project! It's a great way to stay connected online that will lead to a collaborative group project when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. The themes are white on white, rock n roll, colours of nature (eco dye, rust etc), and Irish-folk. Submit your work and check out the how-to's over at the Virtual Bunting TOGETHER group.
|
|
|
The Social Distan-Sing Project
Looking for something creative and fun to do during your quarantine? Get some friends together and make some quaran-tunes!
In times of great stress and difficulty, we often turn to the arts for comfort, entertainment, or simple distraction. We understand the importance of staying home, social distancing and stopping the spread, but while we wait for this difficult time to end, let’s spread some joy to each other instead.
The Social Distan-Sing Project will be a live performance held in Griffith after the COVID-19 crisis has passed. We want you to pitch and perform musical theatre items, songs, dances or drama scenes with two or more performers. The catch is… there must be ZERO face-to-face rehearsals before the show.
Prepare for creative use of technology, a bunch of solo rehearsals and some epic mistakes! A performance date will be set after the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and it is safe.
If you have a song or performance piece in mind but haven’t got someone to perform with, get in touch with us anyway.
For more information, contact Katherine at thesocialdistansingproject@gmail.com by 17th April to get this show on the road.
|
|
|
Adult Creative Writing Workshops
Seeking expressions of interest: if you might be interested in attending online creative writing workshops, please send Sarah Tiffen an email at sarah.tiffen93@gmail.com with your details and any enquiries. The workshops will entail guided poetry writing, life writing, quiet time to read, write and think, reflection, and discussion and feedback.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
