Aboriginal Arts leaders gathering at Armidale in April

 
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A MAJOR gathering bringing together aspiring and existing leaders in Aboriginal Arts and Culture will take place in the New England North West centre of Armidale in late April, the result of a long-term collaboration between Arts North West, 2 Rivers and the Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place.

The New England North West Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Leadership Symposium will be held at Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place from April 26 to 28.

Lorrayne Fishenden, 2 Rivers managing director, said the organisation is thrilled to bring together a group of inspiring and talented Aboriginal arts worders and cultural leaders from across the state.

“The program is jam-packed with wonderful opportunities for Aboriginal artists and arts workers from our region to broaden their skills, be inspired and create new networks,” she said.

Arts North West executive director Caroline Downer said the organisation is pleased to partner on the event.

“We are constantly striving to further develop and build on our relationships with cultural organisations, community and creatives in our region and this symposium will only enhance this further, giving us a greater understanding to deliver of the needs of our New England North West Aboriginal arts community,” she said.

Designed for emerging, mid-career and established Aboriginal artists and arts workers in the New England North West, the symposium is aimed at those who identify as or aspire to be Arts leaders.

It will also bring together leaders from the region, NSW and nationally to provide a platform to facilitate a strong, resilient and vibrant sector and will explore the issues and challenges faced by Aboriginal regional artists and arts workers.

Key topics include: cultural leadership, collaboration and exchange, diversity, ethics and globalisation, emotional and social Intelligence, creativity and innovation, and self care.

Date: April 26 – 28, 2021

Venue: Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place

Registration: $100 includes access to the full program including networking events, entertainment and meals.

Bookings: bit.ly/3doUaFM

Included in the speakers program:

Bibi Barba

Bibi Barba was born in 1968 in Roma, located in the Mandandanji tribal area of Queensland. She was raised in Sydney, NSW. She is a talented artist and very passionate about her art and her Aboriginal heritage. She paints her mother and grandmother's dreamings.

Bibi is an art teacher and as she tells the story: “One day I had a phone call and they asked me to go and educate a mystery client and her children about Australian Indigenous art and culture and teach them painting. Later I found out that she was the actress and director Angelina Jolie.”

Buddy Hippi

Buddy Hippi is from Winangali Infusion, a family-owned-and-operated Edu-cultural Healing Service.

They pride themselves on delivering a high standard of engaging Gamilaraay Edu-cultural Healing Practices to many educational departments, organisations and communities across the country and on international platforms.

Winangali Infusion emphasise the ancient art of storytelling, art, language song and dance as well as nurturing all aspects of traditional culture to maintain community health and wellbeing foremost.

The New England North West Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Leadership Symposium is supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program.

Paid Artist Positions for the Yinaar Project

 
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YINAAR ARTIST EOI
Closes 16th April 2021

2 Rivers Pty Ltd and Arts North West have opened Expressions of Interest to Aboriginal Yinaar from the Arts North West footprint who demonstrate excellence, innovation and professional practice in the arts for paid artist positions for the Yinaar Project.

The Yinaar project is a creative exploration of Aboriginal Women’s traditional practices from the New England North West.

Artists will be selected by a Panel that includes the curators, 2 Rivers and Arts North West representatives and an independent.

Lodge your EOI through the 2 Rivers website by following this link https://www.2rivers.com.au/yinaar-1

Contact Lorrayne for more information via lorrayne@2rivers.com.au

Loren Ryan and Quarralia Knox ‘Bawi-li’ Tour

 
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Arts North West are proud to announce that Loren Ryan and Quarralia Knox will be hitting the road for the ‘Bawi-li’ tour, debuting fresh and modernistic original music. Their trek takes place in the New England North West and small First Nations communities are topping the list.

POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER
Wee Waa Public School

26 March
5-7pm

Mungindi War Memorial Hall
27 March
6-8pm

Toomelah Hall
28 March
1-3pm

Walhallow Hall
29 March
4:30-6:30pm

Loren Ryan is a First Nations Australian and comes from the Gamilaraay people native to North West, New South Wales. She is renowned for combining her love of music and language, showcasing both in a creatively captivating splendor. Writing original songs and translating well known Australian songs into her “Ngamba Dhalaay” mother’s tongue.

“I am enthusiastic to play these small communities within our region because of the genuine human connection you get playing intimate gigs like this. Places like Toomelah and Walhollow, its residents would have to travel to see a concert like this, so I am thrilled to bring the show basically to their doorstep.”
Loren Ryan.

With a voice that drizzles emotion every performance, best described as a mixture of soul and R&B, resonating over a modern acoustic grass roots sound.

Quarralia Knox is a third generation singer song-writer from Tamworth, NSW and a proud Gomeroi woman. Music has always been a part of Quarralia’s life, she has developed her own sound in harmony with the styles that have surrounded her growing up varying from Blues, Rock, R&B and Rap.

“To be releasing my own music for the first time is one of the most exhilarating things I think I could ever do. I have been writing up a storm and enjoying the journey of finding myself through music and I am ready to share it with my fellow music devotees.” Quarralia Knox.

You are in for a delicious blend of genre’s when you set your ears on Quarralia’s original music.

This is an Arts North West and 2 Rivers initiative made possible by Arts Restart funding through the NSW Government.

Their original songs will be available on digital platforms on Spotify, Apple Music and all good online music stores from the 26 of March 2021.

Media contact:
Christiana: projects@2rivers.com.au or Loren: loren@2rivers.com.au

BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS HERE

NENW Aboriginal Arts Strategy to be rolled out after funding boost

 
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Arts North West are delighted to receive funding from the Federal Government to support and foster Aboriginal artists in the New England North West by engaging Lorrayne Fishenden and 2 Rivers Pty Ltd to implement the NENW Aboriginal Arts Strategy.

This supports strong participation by Aboriginal artists in a professional, sustainable visual arts industry including exhibitions, art fairs, professional and skills development through mentoring and workshops, online resource development and networking opportunities. The strategy focuses on training and resources to inform investment and best practice that will result in positive outcomes for the region by strengthening capacities for self-determination, transmission of culture to future generations and increasing sustainable career pathways through arts and cultural pursuits.

"We are thrilled that this funding will allow us to get back out there and reengage with the incredible Aboriginal artists in the New England North West. We will be focusing on creating economic outcomes for visual artists through a series of different opportunities, designed around the needs and the wants of our community." said Lorrayne Fishenden, 2 Rivers Pty Ltd Managing Director.

For more information please contact Lorrayne Fishenden on 0467 668 977 or email lorrayne@2rivers.com.au

Arts North West Covid-19 Update

Hello all,

I’m sure you are all being inundated with information about Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and its impact on our sector. 

It has been a particularly difficult time – from drought to bushfire and now to a global pandemic. All of these have had a huge effect on our creative industries.
 
Event Cancellation
While the current requirement is to cancel all events that have an audience of 500 and above, many of our venues and organisations may not reach that audience figure but are still understandably anxious. Resourcing and growing community anxiety will also affect ticket sales and we recognise that organisations and individuals will need to take this into consideration in their planning.
 
If you are in a position to not require a refund for an event, festival, workshop or class that may be cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19 then please consider the ticket you purchased as a donation to the artist, organisation or community. Check out this article from Cut Common Magazine

Advocacy
Regional Arts Australia has also been working with national organisations and Ministers to facilitate a coordinated impact assessment and industry response. A number of surveys have been developed so that a clear picture can be formed as to the impact of Covid-19 on our sector. Please help the advocacy work by filling these out – PAC Australia survey or the National Association of Visual Artists survey. You are also able to submit information to the #Ilostmygig database.
 
Health and Wellbeing
We are not in a position to provide health advice.  Common sense reminds us to wash our hands, cough into elbows and stay at home if we are unwell.  Please be guided by the following sites that are updated daily:

Australian Government Department of Health

NSW Department of Health

Having said that, hand washing is obviously a crucial requirement.  But… really… handwashing to “Happy Birthday” twice, seems a little prosaic.  Send in your best version of a funky tune/song/poem/ and we will put it up on our social media… let’s keep our creative juices flowing!  (Have a look at TwoSetViolin’s ideas!) Email to media@artsnw.com.au
 
We are also very aware of the wellbeing of our communities.  With events cancelled, and social distancing in place, we hope that we can still look after each other as best we can. An arts-focused wellbeing helpline is available at Support Act
 
Resources

Some more practical information here: 
policy that could be implemented for your workplace from the Institute of Community Directors.
World Health Organisation - Getting your workplace ready
Further info from the World Health Organisation
COVID-19 Arts Organisations’ Plans from Theatre Network Australia
Resources from The Australia Council for the Arts

Stay safe and well, look after each other and support family, friends and our wonderful creative community.  Let’s work together.

Board and Staff of Arts North West