Outback Archies Art Prize, entries now open!

The Outback Archies Art Prize is a long-standing project delivered by Outback Arts, now in its eleventh year! The Outback Archies grows in anticipation with each year, shining a light on the diverse and talented creatives in the region, exploring the theme ‘Legends and Landscapes’.

Growing on its eleven-year history, Outback Arts have teamed up with several key partners which will once again extend the reach of this project. Entries will be accepted not only from the Outback Arts region of Bourke, Brewarrina, Bogan, Cobar, Coonamble, Warren and Walgett Shires but also, Gilgandra, Narrabri, Moree, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Gwydir, Tamworth, Broken Hill, Wentworth Shire, Central Darling Shire and the Western Unincorporated Area – that’s seventeen Local Government Areas in total!

The 2021 Art Prize will also cater for our creative youth in Regional New South Wales with the Young Archies, featured in two categories, Primary School and High School. Youth entries may explore any medium of their choosing.

The usual prizes remain, including the major Outback Archies Prize, People’s Choice, Aboriginal Art Award plus first and second prizes for each category of Ceramics, Sculpture, Two Dimensional and Photography.

Communications and Touring Coordinator for Outback Arts, Maddi Ward says “The Outback Archies is looked forward to by artists and the broader community each year. Great interest has already been shown by artists preparing to enter and those planning a trip to view the exhibition. It has locals at the core but promotes regional artists far and wide.”

The Outback Archies showcases the talented creatives within regional NSW and brings them together to inspire one another as well as providing emerging artists with a platform to boost their profile. Outback Arts strive to support artists by providing opportunities to exhibit and showcase their work locally as well as in metro galleries by securing exhibition opportunities.

Entries for pre-selection open 19th July 2021 and close 20 August 2021 with the exhibition scheduled for 20 September - 29 October 2021.

Visit the Outback Arts website for more information.

Creative workshops to connect communities in the New England North West

Arts North West is excited to be rolling out the next instalment of their successful CreativiTEA workshops in the New England North West this coming August, bringing women from the local rural communities together, to have a cuppa and a chat and get creative.

Arts North West will be delivering CreativiTEA to four villages - Drake, Ashford, Tingha and Torrington, visiting each location four times over a two-year period. These communities have faced a series of hardships over the last couple of years including severe drought and bushfires.

Participants can use the day to connect with old friends and make new ones, learn new artistic skills and be creative but more importantly they will be have the opportunity to openly chat in a safe and supported environment about the hardships for themselves and their families living in drought and/or bushfire affected isolated areas.

“Engaging in the creative practices, participants can communicate ideas and feelings that may be hard to put into works, such as anger, stress, and other personal experiences such as hardships on the land” said Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer.

“Working collaboratively on a creative project is an effective way to ignite conversation.” She continued.

Arts North West have partnered with Rural Adversity Mental Health Program professionals who will be in attendance at all workshops to provide informal support as well as a point of contact for information and resources on health and wellbeing.

This series of creative workshops are facilitated by local printmaker Lizzie Horne, and will focus on print-making techniques, inspired by the passing of the Seasons. The work of the participants will be compiled into a book, documenting the project over 2 years.

The workshops are free and lunch will be provided. Book online https://bit.ly/3dyxB0z or contact Arts North West via office@artsnw.com.au or 6732 4988

23 August Tingha BEST Access Centre 10am - 3:30pm

24 August Torrington Community Hall 10am - 3:30pm

25 August Drake Community Hall 10am - 3:30pm

26 August Ashford Memorial Hall 10am - 3:30pm

These workshops were made possible through funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.

Image: Work by Lizzie Horne.

Creatives Looking Both Ways in Armidale

As part of Arts North West’s Arts Restart project, three creative roundtables are being facilitated by renowned Walcha artist Angus Nivison and Uralla writer, Sophie Masson.

The Looking Both Ways roundtables have been designed for selected New England North West creatives to study the inspiration and the interplay of text and image, engaging eleven professional local writers and eleven professional local artists.

The first roundtable was held at NERAM late last month with great success.

“Not often there is an opportunity to delve deeply into the creative process – to take the time to look at how collaboration might work” said Arts North West Executive Director Caroline Downer.

“Artists and writers really benefited from insights from both Sophie and Angus.” Ms Downer continued

Local writers include:

Helena Pastor

Suzie Wicks

Nate Weatherall

Nicole Alexander

Fiona McDonald

Bronwyn Parry

Trish Donald

Rob Waters

Gail Galloway

Phillipa Trelford

Local artists include:

Leah Bullen

James O'Hanlon

Brent Emerson

Maree Kelly

Nadia Kliendanze

Liz Powell

Joanne Stead

Jodie Herden

Gabi Briggs

Mike Terry

Lizzie Horne

Looking Both Ways is a continuation of Arts North West’s successful 2019 project, Art Word Place in which Angus and Sophie were paired together and Angus created a work in response to Sophie’s writings.

“I wrote a poem called Sky Dramas, New England, and Angus created a painting inspired by it called But in the Dry, based on the second stanza of the poem, which was fueled by the terrible drought we were in the midst of at the time” said Looking Both Way facilitator, Sophie Masson.

“Looking Both Way is a two-part workshop, the first-round table concentrating on setting everything up and beginning paired projects and a final one on April 17 where completed works will be presented to the group. It's going to be an amazing experience.” Ms Masson continued.

In addition, Sophie Masson and Angus Nivison will collaborate to create work for a 2022 exhibition at NERAM

The Looking Both Ways project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Arts Restart.

SOONCHILD IN THE SADDLE FOR SADIE’S WILD RIDE

Photo: Shootin’ Sadie creator and actor, Natasha Soonchild. Image supplied by Natasha Soonchild.

A HOMEGROWN night of Wild West-inspired theatre created by Nundle-based artist Natasha Soonchild is set to tour the small halls of the New England North West from late April, brought to audiences by Arts North West On Tour’s annual Pocket Productions program.

Soonchild will hit the stage in the title role of Shootin’ Sadie, an acclaimed one-woman show written and developed in Nundle and directed by Gwenda Blackwell.

A multi-talented performing and visual artist, Soonchild will inhabit multiple characters for the production, narrating Sadie’s story of adversity and triumph through the entertaining and accessible prism of the Wild West genre.

“We’re saddling up and getting ready to hit the road with Shootin’ Sadie in just a few weeks!” Soonchild said.

“Sadie’s journey is one of adversity and strength revealing the moral compass that guides her conscience. She has true grit.

“I’m lucky enough to have special guest musician John Krsulja performing as the opening act for the show. I’ve seen John in rehearsals and he is bringing something super special to the evening!”

An established acoustic musician from Nundle, Golden Guitar-winning Krsulja will perform a blend of Folk, Rock and Country in his pre-show set.

Wild Ride

First stop on Sadie’s wild ride will be the DAG Sheep Station, Nundle on Saturday April 17, after which the show will continue to The Australian Poetry Hall of Fame at Guyra on Thursday April 22.

A year since the Hall reopened, owner James Warren is excited to be presenting Shootin’ Sadie as the first touring production at the town’s revived Arcadia Theatre.

“After a 50-year pause as an entertainment venue, the town of Guyra once again has a community entertainment and arts hub which Shootin’ Sadie will help revitalise,” he said.

To book for the Guyra performance, head online to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/147473522275 or contact the venue on 0423 478 656.

Moving audiences

The Shootin’ Sadie tour comes just five months since Arts North West On Tour brought Country Witches Association to the region, a tour of raucous comedy and original song from acclaimed performers Mandy Nolan and Áine Tyrell.

Keeping the performing arts venues of the New England North West from going dark is a mission for Arts North West’s touring coordinator Michael Burge.

“We’ve all endured the pandemic with strict limits on the performing arts,” Burge said.

“It’s heartening that we have now reached a time when venues can play to full capacity, although it’s critical that COVID-safe operations continue.”

“I saw Hell Ship at the Chapel Theatre Glen Innes this month, a one-man show written and performed by Michael Veitch, a whole year since the original tour had to be postponed.

“Michael’s play was a gripping and very moving theatre experience, and audiences across our region gave Arts North West On Tour the same feedback.”

“Arts North West On Tour is committed to attracting excellent touring shows. We encourage New England North West residents to support their local venues by following them on social media and keeping abreast of what’s coming soon to a theatre near you,” Burge said.

The Shootin’ Sadie Tour

Contact each venue for more information on performance times and ticketing.

Saturday April 17 DAG Sheep Station Nundle 67693486

Thursday April 22 Australian Poetry Hall of Fame Guyra 0423 478 656

Friday April 23 Currabubula Hall 0427 000 633

Saturday April 24 Kelvin Hall 1800 KOALAS

Thursday April 29 Yetman Hall 0400 970 866

Friday April 30 Deepwater School of Arts 0431 269 104

Saturday May 1 Uralla Central School 0412 424 718

Sunday May 2 Sunnyside Hall Tenterfield 67363500

Aboriginal Arts leaders gathering at Armidale in April

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

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

NOW HIRING: REGIONAL MUSIC OFFICER FOR THE NEW ENGLAND NORTH WEST

OVERVIEW

MusicNSW’s Regional Music Officer (RMO) pilot program has been running across Southern NSW since early 2019. In its pilot phase, the program contracted three local music champions to be brokers within their regions on behalf of MusicNSW; to establish relationships between councils, venues, artists, schools and conservatoriums and build capacity in their local industries.

With the success of the pilot, the RMO Program is now ready to be rolled out in more regions across NSW, and MusicNSW is seeking four new Regional Music Officers for 2021. The new roles will be 3-days per week over a twelve month period, and will include training and support from MusicNSW.

Working with and reporting to MusicNSW, each RMO will provide advice, support and resources to artists and industry based in regional areas who might not otherwise have access to MusicNSW’s services.

If you’re based anywhere within in the Arts North West footprint, you can apply. View our footprint here.

OBJECTIVES

To empower, develop and connect regional musicians, industry and infrastructure

To ensure regional music communities have access to professional development and funding opportunities

Grow opportunities and activities for local music industry professionals

Develop and support existing regional touring networks

Ensure regional music communities have a voice and are connected to local, state and federal advocacy

Help grow access to live original music for young people (12-25)

Work with councils, venues, schools, conservatoriums, RADO’s and other organisations to increase performance opportunities for locals artists

KEY DATES

Applications Open: Tuesday 9 March

Applications Close: Sunday 28 March, 12am Midnight (AEDT)

RMO contract dates: 3 days per week (4 days for Arts North West), for a fixed term of 1 year April 2021 – March 2022

Successful candidates will be announced in April 2021

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Role:

Regional Music Officer

Hours:

3 days per week, for a total of 22.5 hours (4 days + 30 hrs for Arts North West).

This role will also require you to occasionally work during evenings and weekends. This will be part of your 22.5 hours.

Start date:

April 2021

Remuneration:

$65k, pro rata + superannuation.

Place of Work:

Each Officer will have a set geographic area to oversee. Officers will work between their RADO office (where one exists), and autonomously from a regional location (home office, share office or other agreed location).

Some travel is necessary as part of this role, both within the set geographic area, and possibly other areas of NSW (regional locations and Sydney).

All accommodation and travel expenses will be covered by MusicNSW, including modest per diems and petrol expenses. Travel dates will be scheduled in advance, and not total more than 12 overnight stays for the 12 month period.

KEY TASKS

Regional Music Officers will

Coordinate and deliver networking and professional development events for local industry and artists

In partnership with other RMOs, establish a touring network with local live music venues

Help to deliver core MusicNSW programs regionally, such as Sound Advice and the Regional Music Crawl

Build and maintain local industry and artist databases

Complete regular live music censuses for assigned areas

Facilitate community networking through recommendations, introductions and meet ’n’ greet events.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply you must:

Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

Have lived in regional NSW for a minimum of 12 months. Preference will be given to candidates living in the nominated regions.

Have your full driver’s licence and regular easy access to a car

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

Experience working in creative industries (music, arts, theatre or other)

Demonstrated knowledge of the contemporary music sector

Demonstrated experience engaging and working with a wide range of stakeholders

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Excellent communication and presentation skills

Existing knowledge and experience within your local music scene

Ability to collaborate and work in a team environment

Ability to work remotely and independently, with a diligent work ethic

Highly proficient computer skills

Ability to work to timelines and deadlines

Highly Desirable:

Experience with Google suite including G-Drive, Sheets and Docs

Experience with live-streaming events

Event coordination experience

Ability to host and lead workshops and masterclass sessions

Working with children check

Prior project management experience within an arts or music context

SUBMITTING AND EDITING

The application form can be edited before submission until Sunday 28 March 2021 12am MIDNIGHT when submissions close and no further submissions or edits will be accepted after this time.

ADVICE ON YOUR APPLICATION

If you have any further questions about the program you can email laura@musicnsw.com or call the office on (02) 9953 5279.

NOTIFICATION OF YOUR APPLICATION

All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application by the end of April 2021