New Creative Work Launched at Arts North West

Arts North West’s Seven Sisters Project has come to spectacular finale with the launch of a new creative video work, Miyaay Miyaay. 

The work has been developed by key Gamilaroi artists. Writer Cathy Craigie's story formed the basis of the Miyaay Miyaay film, with dance choreography from Katie Leslie and Shae Duncan, and the illustration by Tania Hartigan.  

Miyaay Miyaay is based on the Gamilaroi version of the Seven Sisters songline, and inspired by Country, and landscape of the New England North West.  

The Seven Sisters songline is an epic narrative that spans across a vast area of Australia from the West coast through Central Australia to the North West of NSW and to Gamilaroi country. Miyaay Miyaay celebrates the Gamilaroi version of this Aboriginal story. 

A recipient of the prestigious 2016 New South Wales Aboriginal Arts Fellowship, Cathy is from the Gamilaroi and Anaiwan nations. She is the founding director of Koori Radio and First Nation Australia Writers Network, and has written several produced plays and published two children’s books. Cathy writes short stories and works as a writing mentor and workshop facilitator. 

Katie Leslie is a proud Gamilaroi and Mandandanji woman from Moree. She has a deep passion and love for her Aboriginal culture and heritage, as well as the performing arts. She studied acting at ACPA (The Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts) and later went on to study dance at NAISDA Dance College. Since graduating she has worked for many people in different places, performing and teaching dance. 

“We feel very honoured to be able to present a new creative work, Miyaay Miyaay, to our Arts North West audiences and to the wider community. Being able to provide the creative tools and support to see this important story come to life is a significant moment within Arts North West’s 25-year history,” Arts North West executive director Lauren Mackley said.  

“I would like to extend a massive thanks to the everyone who made this project possible including our previous Executive Director, Caroline Downer, and Project Manager, Miranda Heckenberg. The film and the storybook can be viewed on our website and will also be distributed in hardcopy throughout the region.”

The Seven Sisters Project is supported by the NSW Government’s Creative Koori Fund through Create NSW and by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund through Regional Arts NSW. 

Visit www.artsnw.com.au/miyaay-miyaay-film to view the film and storybook. Please contact the Arts North West office on 6732 4988 if you would like more information. 

Arts North West Micro Grants Ready to Roll

New England North West creatives are set to benefit directly from Arts North West, with the announcement of another round of Arts North West’s Micro Grants opening in early August.

The first round of Micro Grants was announced in April 2020 and saw a range of artists and arts projects boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including musicians, textile artists, visual artists, performing artists and more. Since then, the fund has expended around $25,000 directly to New England North West creatives.

“Announcing the opening of the Micro Grants Funding round is one of my first tasks as the new Executive Director of Arts North West” said Arts North West Executive Director Lauren Mackley.

“It has been an incredibly challenging couple of years for our arts community in the New England North West, from droughts, bushfires, Covid and now floods, and it gives me great joy to know that we have the opportunity to financially assist creatives and their practice as they navigate these unprecedented times.” Ms Mackley continued.

Designed to support the continuation of locally-determined community arts and cultural practice in uncertain times, this funding aims to be as flexible as possible. Projects can be outcome-focused or be designed around skills development or capacity-building.

“The main reasons why this fund is so well prescribed, is the simple application and the quick turnaround, something you do not get when applying to other funds. Applications open first week of August and closing on 5 September, and each applicant can apply for up to $1000. Successful applicants will be notified on 19 September. Previous unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply.” Concluded Ms Mackley.

To apply to the Arts North West Micro Grants Round, visit the Arts North West website www.artsnw.com.au or contact the Arts North West office for more information (02) 6732 4988.

The Owl’s Apprentice to six towns in the region Quirindi, Gunnedah, Bingara, Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield

Little Wing Puppets are on their way to North West New South Wales, bringing with them their shadow puppet show, The Owl’s Apprentice to six towns in the region Quirindi, Gunnedah, Bingara, Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield.

The story is about the idea that owl’s aren’t born wise, they have to learn it from somewhere. A young owl named Poot Poot is sent to study at Owl school. On his journey he meets an Echidna, a Wombat, a Kookaburra, a Lyrebird, a Kangaroo and a Platypus who each share with him their own kind special kind of wisdom. But will he pass the final test and become wise enough to save the forest? The Owl’s Apprentice is an interactive show for families combining shadow puppetry and physical comedy.

A puppeteer of more than twenty years, Jenny Ellis, weaves the whole tale together with a single set of hands, often playing multiple characters at once. Jenny has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Puppetry from the Victorian College of the Arts, and has performed hundreds of shows in numerous festivals, theatres and country halls in every state and territory of Australia, as well as overseas.

Jenny Ellis, Artistic Director of Little Wing Puppets, said,

“We are thrilled to be coming to the North West. We believe that young people deserve equal access to the arts, wherever they live. We have demonstrated that with over 16 years on the road, taking shows to some of Australia’s most remote communities. We know that we can help shape young people’s lives by igniting their imaginations. In a time when there is so much time spent on screens, the simplicity of puppet theatre still retains a sense of magic. It’s amazing to hear a room full of children gasping and exploding into laughter over the antics of a puppet on stage. It’s still able to captivate their imaginations.”

This tour has been supported by Arts North West. See attached page for full details of the performances

Watch 1 min video: https://vimeo.com/73988806

ARTS NORTH WEST TOUR
THE OWL’S APPRENTICE – 2022

Monday 1 August, 2022 10:30am & 1pm
The Royal Theatre Quirindi
115 Henry St, Quirindi NSW 2343
Bookings: https://www.royaltheatrequirindi.com/
Phone: (02) 6746 1755

Tuesday 2 August, 2022 11am & 1:30pm
Civic Theatre Gunnedah
83 Chandos St, Gunnedah NSW 2380
Bookings: https://www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events
Phone: 02 6740 2266

Wednesday 3 August, 11am
Roxy Theatre Bingara
74 Maitland St, Bingara NSW 2404
Bookings: https://www.roxybingara.com.au/little-wing-puppets-presents-the-owls-apprentice/
Phone: 02 6724 0066

Friday 5 August, 2022, 2pm
The TAS Hoskins Centre Armidale
Barney St, Newling NSW 2350
Entry Via Chapel Street
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CAHFO
Phone: (02) 6776 5800

Saturday 6 August, 2022 2pm
Chapel Theatre Glen Innes
143 Church St, Glen Innes NSW 2370
Bookings: https://giac.com.au/movie/owls-apprentice
Phone 6732 5688

Sunday 7 August 2022 10:30am
Tenterfield School of Arts
205 Rouse Street, Tenterfield
Bookings: http://www.tenterfieldcinema.com.au/event/the-owls-apprentice
Phone: 02 67366100

Arts North West To Make Arts Trail Live in September

Arts North West is thrilled to announce their latest project, Arts Trail Live which will be rolling out across four creative venues in the New England North West over the 17th and 18th of September 2022.

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park Warialda, Yaama Ganu Gallery Moree, Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre, and the Fuller Gallery/Barraba Potters and Craft Guild will host four local artist facilitators as they deliver a free community workshop.

Arts North West are currently calling for EOIs from local artist facilitators in all genres to facilitate these one-day creative workshop, with $1500 allocated for each facilitator.

"I am so happy to have an opportunity to not only support our regional artists, but bring these unique workshops to gems in our towns and encourage people to travel and visit these really thriving creative spaces," Arts North West Projects Officer Michèle Jedlicka said.

Selected artists will be emerging-professional and must have a primary focus in the arts sector. This includes, but is not limited to visual arts and photography, film, literature, music, songwriting, textiles, ceramics, theatre, dance, First Nations Arts, puppetry, musical theatre, community arts, or experimental arts.

“Artists can preference to work at any of the venues, and some suit specific genres, which could be appealing. Applicants must reside within our New England North West footprint to be eligible, but we do encourage artists to venture out to a community they may have not yet explored," Michèle said.

The project has been made possible by funding from the RAF Cultural Tourism Accelerator program and Arts Trail Live has been designed to encourage arts tourism across the New England North West region, allowing people a chance to take part in a creative activity in one weekend.

Visit the Arts North West website (www.artsnw.com.au) for more information and to fill out the EOI form before COB 1 August 2022. Applicants will also need to email three examples of their work produced in the last three years to projects@artsnw.com.au.

For more information, please contact ANW Projects Officer Michèle Jedlicka on projects@artsnw.com.au