Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
November 2013
Arts Queensland’s monthly update of arts and culture
This edition we introduce contemporary art mega star Cai Guo-Qiang, who has his first Australian solo exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) this summer, we applaud the end of 20 years on the road for Possum Magic The Musical, marvel at the success of Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Arts Support Officer Linda Dreghorn provides some sound advice on income and investment options.
Rian Thompson, Teri Crilly, Blair Wood in Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker. See page six for the full story. Photo: Alexia Sinclair
Great state. Great opportunity. 1
Message from the
Minister for the Arts Late last month we marked an important milestone with the announcement of the new Organisations Fund 2014–2016 and Projects and Programs Fund 2013 – a total of $23.2 million in funding commitments to the state’s arts and cultural sector.
forward to the findings of this intensive research as we aim to make the most of our unique cultural asset. We’ll unveil a draft Master Plan in February next year. As Christmas draws near I encourage you to visit the Cultural Precinct, South Bank, and see all they have to offer. A highlight for next month in the Precinct will be A Very Cultural Christmas December 13, which will see QAGOMA, Queensland Museum, SLQ and QPAC all stay open late for one-night only. They’ll present a special evening of live music, talks, storytelling, dining packages, late night exhibition openings and retail discounts. South Bank has a diverse program of Christmas activities as well including an al fresco screening of Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker which is sure to delight audiences.
This funding is a key part of the Newman Government’s commitment to delivering Arts for all Queenslanders. Regional Queensland was a big winner with a number of well-known and muchloved arts organisations receiving ongoing funding. It was my pleasure to announce also that next year’s Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) will open the 2014 national art fair and festival circuit with new dates of 24–27 July.
For more information about what’s on visit www.arts.qld.gov.au/ averyculturalchristmas or www.visitsouthbank.com.au
We’re excited about presenting CIAF earlier in the year and hope this will allow art collectors and dealers to come to the event with fresh interest for the outstanding Indigenous art work that has become the hallmark of the event.
The Honourable Ian Walker MP Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
We remain focused on the goal of delivering a Master Plan for our Cultural Precinct with public engagement underway. I’m looking
Minister Ian Walker and Super Star Shakespearean director Michael Attenborough. Photo: Stephanie Do Rozario. See story right. 2
International art coup falls to earth at GOMA Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland, while the third, Head On 2006, is a striking installation of 99 artificial wolves leaping en masse into a glass wall, on display in Australia for the first time.
Cai Guo-Qiang, one of the stars of the international art world, opened his first Australian solo exhibition Falling Back to Earth at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) last week. Falling Back to Earth features three major installations, including two newly commissioned works inspired by the landscapes of South East Queensland. The centrepiece of the exhibition, Heritage 2013, features 99 replicas of animals from around the world, gathered together to drink from a blue lake surrounded by pristine white sand. The second installation, Eucalyptus 2013, responds to the ancient trees of
Never heard of Cai Guo-Qiang? QAGOMA has produced this short film to introduce Chinese-born, New York-based Cai to Australian audiences. Cai Guo-Qiang: Falling Back to Earth is exclusively at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) until 11 May 2014. Tickets are on sale now via www.qagoma.qld.gov. au/cai.
Attenborough actors workshops much ado Internationally-acclaimed theatre director Michael Attenborough CBE was in Brisbane this month preparing for next year’s production of Macbeth with Queensland Theatre Company and taking actors through their paces in an intensive two-day workshop. Actors came from across Australia to take part in the workshops with Mr Attenborough, widely regarded as one of the world’s best Shakespearean directors. His productions are renowned for their contemporary appeal and edge, as well as integrity. The workshop combined an in-depth conversation with Mr Attenborough drawing on his years of work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Almeida Theatre, with practical exercises working on speeches and scenes. Queensland Theatre Company secured Queensland Government Super Star Fund support to engage Mr Attenborough. Macbeth, a collaboration with iconic theatre group Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe, is scheduled for 24 performances from 22 March–13 April 2014. Read more http://bit.ly/1ijuEjy 3
Barry Lord joins team
crafting Cultural Pr to planning for the future of our arts district which comprises the Queensland Art Gallery|Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum and State Library of Queensland.
World renowned museum planner Barry Lord flew into Brisbane recently to help craft a 20-year vision for the state’s landmark Cultural Precinct at South Bank. As president of Lord Cultural Resources, Barry has worked with global icons such as the Smithsonian Institute, the Louvre, Tate Britain and Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum.
The Cultural Precinct is a Brisbane ‘must-see’ attracting more than 4 million visits annually and is nationally renowned for its exhibitions, events, public programming and award-winning architecture.
Now he is bringing his unique vision and international lens
A Very Cultural
CHRISTMAS Cultural Precinct, South Bank
One night only 5–9pm, Friday 13 December 2013 Visit the Cultural Precinct for a special night of pre-Christmas shopping, music exhibitions and food. www.arts.qld.gov.au/averyculturalchristmas
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recinct Master Plan the Cultural Precinct Master Plan in partnership with the Newman Government. The Master Plan is part of the Cultural Precinct Strategy 2013–2015.
In an interview with The CourierMail, Mr Lord had a variety of ideas for the Precinct, including a dedicated children’s art museum, later opening hours, a shuttle bus servicing all South Bank and the integration of creative industries into the Precinct as some ways to transform it into the future.
A draft Master Plan will be ready for public feedback in early 2014 so stay in touch with the Arts Queensland website (www.arts. qld.gov.au) for updates.
“Today’s museum, library, gallery and theatre patrons expect a high level of community engagement and real opportunities for participation, both virtually and physically, from their cultural institutions,” he says. His ideas certainly have people talking.
State Library of Queensland and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Cultural Precinct, South Bank, Brisbane. Photo: courtesy Trends Magazine
Mr Lord is working with Urbis and Cox Rayner Architects to deliver
Arts Minister Ian Walker with Barry Lord. Photo: Tony Phillips.
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It’s a
Christmas cracker! “The popularity [of this ballet season] is very encouraging,” he says. “It demonstrates that there are many people embracing the magic of Christmas and looking for things to do as a family.
It’s a story embraced by audiences around the world as a Christmas tradition and includes some of Ballet’s most loved characters, so it’s no surprise that Queensland Ballet’s The Nutcracker season almost completely sold out four months prior to opening.
“The Nutcracker has become an annual tradition for many families around the world. We are excited to give Queenslanders the opportunity to also enjoy this magical tale each Christmas and look forward to each year welcoming the familiar faces and new ones too.”
This season, 5–21 December, sold out so quickly the Ballet had to add another three shows with the final performance selling out in a week. The Nutcracker, set on Christmas Eve, follows little Clara’s delightful magical adventure to the Kingdom of Sweets where she meets such characters as the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen, an army of gingerbread soldiers, the Rat King and his army of mice and of course the Nutcracker Prince himself.
Interestingly the Ballet sees a change in their audience dynamics for The Nutcracker with children making up 12 per cent of the audience. Li says The Nutcracker is a wonderful ballet for families. “For some of them it will be their very first ballet and we hope to make it truly memorable,” he says.
Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin says The Nutcracker’s enchanting story and beautiful music has made it a must-see ballet. 6
Queensland Ballet is determined to establish The Nutcracker as an annual tradition for Brisbane families and visitors every Christmas, so much so that they didn’t want anyone to miss out this year despite the season selling out.
But for now most of us will have to be content with seeing choreographer Ben Stevenson’s work on the big screen. Li worked with the talented Ben at Houston Ballet and says we can expect lots of colour and energy and of course beautiful ballet.
As part of South Bank’s Christmas activities, The Nutcracker will be screened on a large outdoor screen at River Quay on 21 December at 7:30pm. This will be a free event and for further details go to www. visitsouthbank.com.au
“I’ve loved The Nutcracker ever since I danced in Houston Ballet’s 1979 production,” he says. “The Nutcracker is our Christmas gift to Queenslanders, and I am excited that this year’s season will begin an annual festive tradition in Brisbane.”
“I wish we could present more performances, though I encourage those that missed out to join us for the free screening at South Bank,” says Li. There is a small chance that limited tickets may be released closer to each performance, for more details check in at www.queenslandballet. com.au
Queensland Ballet, The Nutcracker. Nutcracker doll. Photo: Christian Aas 7
Anywhere Theatre Festival
bringing joy to your Shakespeare said: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” If theatre can be anywhere, then maybe anywhere can be theatre. That’s the concept behind the Anywhere Theatre Festival, which is all about presenting performance in nontheatre spaces.
In 2011, the inaugural Anywhere Theatre Festival was born, providing the framework for theatre practitioners to present their work outside of traditional venues and structures. “We keep coming back to this idea that the performance paradigm as it currently stands puts many creatives at the bottom of the financial food chain and that is what we want to change.”
Anywhere Theatre Festival founder Paul Osuch came up with the idea when internationally-acclaimed actor Sir Ian McKellan was unable to secure a suitable Brisbane venue to stage the Australian tour of Waiting for Godot in 2010.
The festival continued to grow over the next two years, with the 2013 festival presenting 50 productions in venues including bowling clubs, sheds, alleys, car parks and parks.
“I figured if Sir Ian had trouble finding a venue then there were local emerging artists having it even tougher, says Paul.
The Queensland Government recognises Anywhere Theatre Festival’s huge potential in 8
nooks and crannies local emerging and established performers, audiences, business and the whole local community.”
providing opportunities for local producers, actors, dancers, directors, playwright, designers, audiences and businesses.
“We plan to use the next three years of Queensland Government investment to show this performance paradigm shift is sustainable and then export it to the rest of Australia and the world!”
Anywhere Theatre Festival received $210,000 in Organisations Funding for 2014–2016 making it one of 34 organisations sharing in almost $21 million in Organisations Funding for 2014–2016.
Anywhere Theatre Festival, 7–18 May 2014. For more information visit http://anywherefest.com/
“The investment from the Queensland Government enables us to change the festival from being one of the top nine international festivals to being number one,” says Paul. “What will make this festival number one is not being bigger for the sake of being bigger, but being the best experience for
aria modern at the State Library of Queensland, Anywhere Theatre Festival 2013. Photos by Cabral Photography, courtesy Anywhere Theatre Festival. 9
Possum Magic farewells the stage after 20 years Jacquie Hoy gave an address in Grandma Poss attire.
Possum Magic the Musical has that “durability” factor. Ask anyone who attended or was involved in the recent Farewell Final Tour that travelled across the state why it is so popular and there will be different but always positive answers.
As a consequence of this show’s phenomenal success, Faucet has been inundated with enquiries about what will be on offer for children in 2014.
In Gladstone, teacher Nick Drover and carers from Rosella Park Special School were over the moon and shed more than a few tears when a 13-year-old in a wheelchair, who had not responded to anything or anyone in two years, suddenly smiled becoming more and more animated as the show progressed. By the end, he was dancing in his wheelchair.
Karen Keegan, Founder and CEO of Shows For Schools, says: “Every time the show tours, it’s a reinterpretation. Each cast brings something new and this version is especially fresh. “Several venue managers said it was the best show they’d ever seen. In Cairns, Toowoomba and Mackay there were sell-out shows,” Karen says
Mark Faucet, General Manager of the Entertainment Centre in Mackay, was delighted that the show achieved budget and that one of the Centre’s liaison officers in partnership with teachers from local schools had developed educational activities based on the musical.
“Thanks to Arts Queensland’s flexible touring grant, three crew, one and sometimes two drivers and six actors were able to reach Toowoomba, Redlands, Redcliffe, Gladstone, Townsville, Rockhamptom, Cairns, Mackay, Ayr, Caloundra, Ipswich and Mt Isa.
“School audiences were not passive as they had work shopped educational activities stimulated by the production across the curriculum,” he says. “On the first night the school children all wore possum masks.”
“More than 20,000 people attended and since the show, based on the award-winning picture book by Mem Fox, has been circulating for over 20 years, many of the parents who brought their own children along had seen it themselves as children.”
The show made such a strong impact that at the official unveiling of sculptor Adam Van Der Lught’s waterfowl, fruitbat, lorikeet and possum sculptures to commemorate Mackay’s 150th anniversary, the costumed Possum Magic cast were guests of honour.
Possum Magic cast of 2008. Photo courtesy Garry Ginivan Attractions. 10
Funding Update with Linda Dreghorn
The Projects and Programs Fund will be open again early in 2014 for projects and programs starting after 1 August 2014, with a second round later in the year for projects and programs commencing after 1 January 2015. In the meantime, applications can be made at any time to the Playing Queensland Fund and the Super Star Fund.
On 31 October, Minister Walker announced the successful applicants to the Organisations Fund and the Projects and Programs Fund. The Organisations Fund had a 58% success rate and for the Projects and Programs Fund it was 41% which means both funds were very competitive. For unsuccessful applicants there are other options and ways Arts Queensland can support you.
On the crowdfunding front, Kickstarter and Indiegogo both US platforms have expanded to Australia and Pozible has entered the US market. Funding for the arts from crowdfunding continues to grow but to be successful, do your research and plan your campaign. The sites themselves provide useful tips and the Australia Council website has some good information on crowdfunding. Select a project that is likely to resonate with people in your networks and offer rewards that are unique or that aren’t often available. Look at the attributes of successful campaigns and talk with artists or organisations you know that have run successful campaigns. To achieve your target, crowdfunding does take time and thought but on the upside, you control the timing and there are no selection criteria to address!
Firstly, detailed feedback is available to every applicant and I would encourage you to seek feedback as there may be simple reasons why you were less competitive which you could change in a future application. Secondly, I am happy to meet to discuss alternate funding sources or other ways in which you may be able to achieve your goals. I can also explore with you opportunities such corporate sponsorship, crowdfunding, accessing philanthropic funds and donations. Thirdly, there are other services that can be utilised to help with your future planning. Arts Queensland has engaged BoardConnect to provide a series of workshops, webinars, mentoring and one-on-one sessions to assist organisations with governance and planning. Creative Partnerships Australia runs AdviceBank and BoardBank. It has also launched Plus1 which is matching initiative which will run until the funding is exhausted so it is important that Queensland organisations register their initiative as soon as possible.
Please feel free to contact me at Linda.Dreghorn@arts.qld.gov.au or 07 3034 4077.
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Funding news Caring for our Community grants The Queensland Government’s Caring for our Community 2013–14 funding round is now open. Community organisations and volunteer groups are invited to apply for one-off funding of up to $5000 to purchase essential equipment to enhance service delivery to Queenslanders. Applications close 2 December 2013. See http://bit.ly/IcDBeG
Creative Industries’ Career Fund A total of $150,000 from Copyright Agency’s philanthropic Cultural Fund is allocated annually to a separate funding pool known as the Creative Industries’ Career Fund. This fund offers individual creators and those involved in the publishing and visual arts industries a maximum of $5,000 to undertake training, travel or other activities that will enhance their careers. See http://bit.ly/10gaJJu
Creative Partnerships Australia – Plus1 Through Plus1, Creative Partnerships will match dollar for dollar up to $50,000 in funds raised by artists and not for profit (NFP) arts organisations for approved projects that build their development capacity and meet defined criteria. Applications from Queensland are encouraged. Contact Sue Fisher the Queensland Director on sue.fisher@creativepartnershipsaustralia.org.au if you would like to discuss your idea. For further information and to apply go to http://bit.ly/18khhIA
Australia Council – funding update Australia Council 2013 funding programs closing in December include: Market Development – Visions Australia and Playing Australia. The 2014 Australia Council grants guide will be available in early December.
Resources Update Libraries Act 1988 All Queensland publishers, including government departments, commercial organisations, clubs, churches, societies and private individuals, are required by law to deposit a copy of their publications with both State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Parliamentary Library. The requirement is contained in part 8 of the Libraries Act 1988 (Qld). See http://bit.ly/1dwDC5n
Anywhere Theatre Festival – Expressions of Interest now open Expressions of Interest are open for the 2014 Anywhere Theatre Festival, 7–18 May 2014, and close on 24 December 2014. See http://bit.ly/18ydAAj
Arts Queensland’s blog aqblog about policy and practice in arts and culture. See www.arts.qld.gov.au/blog/
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Articles & Reports You’ve got $7 billion – so how will you fund the arts? Jason Potts, RMIT The Conversation View at http://bit.ly/16Zeq4E Digital Culture: How arts and cultural organisations in England use technology, Arts Council England / NESTA / Arts & Humanities Research Council View at http://bit.ly/1iYUzYQ The creative economy could fuel Australia’s next boom, Stuart Cunningham The Conversation View at http://bit.ly/1aEoi6p
Media Releases Jeremy Neale wins Billy Thorpe Scholarship 2013 Queensland indie pop sensation Jeremy Neale has taken out the annual Billy Thorpe Scholarship for 2013. See http://bit.ly/1g7b0Td
International art coup falls to earth at GOMA One of the stars of the international art world, Cai Guo-Qiang, has opened his first Australian solo exhibition Falling Back to Earth opens at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). See http://bit.ly/1dsFQYV
California dream lights up Queensland Art Gallery Levi jeans, a Greg Noll surfboard, iconic furniture by Charles and Ray Eames and Barbie are living the California dream as part of the Queensland Art Gallery’s California Design 1930–1965: Living in a Modern Way exhibition. See http://bit.ly/1eqtjCr
Newman Government delivers Arts for all Queenslanders The Newman Government has announced funding of $23.2 million over three years for arts organisations and projects across Queensland. See http://bit.ly/1bEuDyN
Correction In Arts Update’s October issue artist Carol Mackenzie was mentioned as being part of the BDO Art Collection in the story about iAM Projects. This was incorrect, the artist’s name is Carol McGregor. Arts Update apologises for this error.
Got a great arts story? We want to hear from you. Please contact Arts Update by emailing jill.martin@arts.qld.gov.au About us: Arts Queensland is part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts. For more information on Arts Queensland go to www.arts.qld.gov.au or call 1800175531 For more information on Queensland Government go to www.qld.gov.au 13