SYDNEY FESTIVAL
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW 2013–2014
Launched in July 2013, our RAP outlines our commitment to closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their fellow Australians by creating and fostering an organisational environment that cherishes respect, creates opportunity and builds cultural awareness. Sydney Festival recognises that Sydney is a vast, complex and exuberant city of cultural contrasts and social diversity, that Sydney’s Indigenous heritage and contemporary culture lie deep within the city’s identity and are key to an enlightened and progressive festival.
The Shadow King, photo Prudence Upton.
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Indigenous art and culture has always held a special place within the Sydney Festival program. Over the years, the Festival has celebrated and profiled the talents of respected artists, leaders and companies. In July 2013, Sydney Festival launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Sydney Festival’s vision for reconciliation is to formally and informally engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities and to positively contribute to closing the gap between Indigenous and other Australians. We do this by committing to: respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures; offer employment opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; offer development and presentation opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers; and build cultural awareness and understanding among our staff, stakeholders and audiences of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories.
The Sydney Festival RAP Working Group, led by the Executive Director, is made up of eight members of staff representing each Festival department. The Working Group meets quarterly and consults with our Indigenous business and arts partners regularly for guidance and advice. Our current RAP is focused on promoting employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of the Festival.
Further to this, the Festival was thrilled to present The Shadow King with its all-Indigenous cast including Tom E. Lewis, Jimi Bani, Jada Alberts, Selwyn Burns, Frances Djulibing, Rarriwuy Hick, Damion Hunter, Kamahi Djordon King, Natasha Wanganeen and Bart Willoughby.
Indigenous artists were also integrated into many other Festival programs including: as part of About an Hour we presented Marrugeku’s Gudirr Indigenous art and culture has always held a Gudirr, a solo dance piece by Dalisa Pigram with special place within the Sydney Festival program. visuals by Vernon Ah Kee; City of Sydney’s Lawn Over the years, the Festival has celebrated Library in the Festival Village featured workshops and profiled the talents of respected artists, and storytelling by Matt Doyle; and both Domain leaders and companies. As we develop ideas, concerts featured projections of Daniel Boyd’s the Festival consults with local organisations exquisite History is Made at Night. such as Sydney’s Metropolitan Local Aboriginal In 2014, we employed two Indigenous interns Land Council, the City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group and specific and other contractors in administration. The Music Programming Internship, supported by project-based reference groups. APRA’s Song Cycles Program was taken up by In 2014, we were proud to initiate, coThalia Skopellos and the Programming Intern commission and produce Black Diggers in (Theatre and Dance) position, supported by close collaboration with Queensland Theatre Arts NSW was held by Louana Sainsbury. We Company. This included building relationships were delighted to welcome back a previous and setting up an Indigenous Reference Group Indigenous intern, Leah Flanagan, as a with individuals and representatives such as the receptionist during the period of the Festival. Babana Men’s Group, the Indigenous Liaison Officers at the Australian War Memorial, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association, individual returned service men, historians and others. The Festival presented the work over 10 days for an audience of more than 5,000 people including free and discounted community tickets to ensure Indigenous audiences were able to experience the work. We also presented a free talk featuring Wesley Enoch, Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA and Gary Oakley.
Black Diggers, photo Jamie Williams.
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RELATIONSHIPS Uncle Max Eulo performs the smoking ceremony, Sydney Festival 2014 Launch, photo Jamie Williams.
Sydney’s Festival is one of Sydney’s most important global meeting places. We want all citizens to participate in, have access to, and feel genuine ownership of, their Sydney Festival.
Long-range strategic and respectful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are essential to the Festival’s relevance in contemporary Australia. The objective is to increase participation of Indigenous artists and audiences, and the Festival's ability to leave a lasting cultural legacy on which to build on for future generations.
FOCUS AREA: DEVELOP DEEPER, SUSTAINABLE AND MORE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS, ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY. ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET
PROGRESS
A RAP Working Group established
Executive Director, Heads of Departments, Board
• In Sept 2012 the Executive Director signed a Statement of Commitment to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan by July 2013. The Sydney Festival officially launched it's first RAP on the 26 July 2013 • Working Group formed with representatives from each department
August 2012 – July 2013
• Board and staff endorse commitment to develop RAP
• The working group comprises key members of Sydney Festival staff drawn from each department • Working group meets quarterly
Identify key Indigenous advisors to the RAP working group
Meet with key Indigenous partners to explore more meaningful ways to develop ongoing relationships Promote Indigenous events, activities, businesses and news
Meet with key Sydney Indigenous leaders to advise of Sydney Festival annual program Identify and research Indigenous charity to support annually Develop and maintain Indigenous database
Exceeded
RAP Working Group
Executive Director, relevant Heads of Departments
Marketing and Programming Departments
Festival Director, Head of Programming, relevant Programming staff RAP Working Group Programming and Marketing departments
Achieved
July 2013
• Working Group organises an internal event for National Reconciliation Week • Two external meetings with Indigenous advisors during development of RAP
PROGRESS INDICATOR
• Working Group met in Mar 2013, Jun 2013, Mar 2014 & July 2014 • Staff lunch and film screening as part of National Reconciliation Week • Meetings held with Reconciliation Australia, Australia Council, Arts NSW, Media Ring, Gadigal Information Services and the RAP representative from the Sydney Opera House • Completed
• Request Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council review draft RAP September • Regular meetings between Sydney Festival • Media relationships have been focused 2013 and relevant media and arts organisations around annual projects such as Black including: Gadigal Information Services, NCIE, Diggers. Broader ongoing media NITV, Moogahlin Performing Arts relationships should be explored
Ongoing
• Promotion of Indigenous events and news to Sydney Festival staff and supporters through Festival e-news, website and social media. • Festival subscribes to Indigenous online resources, for example, The Black Book • Up to date listings of Indigenous businesses included in the Sydney Festival Artist Pack • Clippings from Indigenous media included in the daily media updates to festival staff September • Presentation of 2014 festival program 2013 and to City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres annually Strait Islander Advisory Group and thereafter Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council before public launch March • 2013 Indigenous charity Aboriginal Literacy 2013 Foundation endorsed by entire staff Current
• Database created in ENTA and regularly updated and ready for Sydney Festival invitation list mail-out each October • Indigenous leaders identified and included in VIP database • Establish data base of audiences to Indigenous events
On Track
• Achieved
• Further consideration required
• Achieved • Senior staff met with the CoS Advisory Group in Oct 2013.
• ALF was endorsed by staff and a small group entered the City to Surf raising money for the ALF • Created and updated
• Created and updated • Ongoing development
Not Achieved
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RESPECT Black Diggers, photo Aaron Tait.
It is important Sydney Festival respects Indigenous peoples, their culture, land and history to maintain its profile as a cultural leader locally, nationally and internationally.
By acknowledging the enormous contributions Australia’s first peoples have made to this country and by fostering a sustainable and progressive platform for future Indigenous stories, engagement and employment, Sydney Festival will be able to accurately reflect its time and place in contemporary society.
FOCUS AREA: PUBLICLY DEMONSTRATE THE FESTIVAL’S RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ARTS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE AND CREATE AND PROMOTE SYDNEY FESTIVAL AS A CULTURALLY SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET
PROGRESS
Create and maintain Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols for Sydney Festival use Acknowledgement of Country to be included in the Sydney Festival brochure Cultural Awareness training
Programming Department
September • Current protocols updated and approved by 2013 Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council • Development of protocols for Sydney Festival events taking place on land outside of MLALC jurisdiction
• Protocol written and approved by MLALC
Marketing Department
September • Text approved by Metropolitan 2013 Local Aboriginal Land Council • Acknowledgement published in 2014 Festival brochure
• Acknowledgement text approved by MLALC in Sept 2013 • Acknowledgement published in 2014 brochure
RAP Working Group
August 2012
• All staff attended Cultural Awareness training in June 2013 • Achieved
Sydney Festival staff engage with or attend significant Indigenous activities and events to promote cultural awareness
RAP Working Group
Ongoing
Investigate policy parameters to support culturally sensitive recruitment, contract process and workplace
RAP Working Group, Heads of Departments
Festival to apply appropriate cultural protocols to all processes and events Promote workplace connection to Indigenous Australia
All Departments
July 2013
RAP Working Group
September • Indigenous country maps displayed 2013 prominently in Festival office • Commission of artwork for new Festival office • Acknowledgement of Country plaque at reception • Promotion of current Indigenous events and programs on social media platforms and internally • Provide staff with background of previous work by Indigenous artists participating in the Festival
Exceeded
Achieved
July 2013
• Cultural awareness training annually for all permanent staff • Commencement of employment packs for all permanent and temporary staff to include RAP summary • Each permanent staff member provided with an opportunity to attend at least one Indigenous event annually with special focus on National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week • Sydney Festival purchase an Aboriginal Flag to hang in reception on significant Indigenous days • Employment contracts revised • Distribution of Generation One Handbook for Indigenous Employment to all staff • Audit existing policies and procedures for cultural sensitivity • Develop an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Leave Policy • Distribution of Australia Council Indigenous protocol guides for Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Music to all staff
On Track
PROGRESS INDICATOR
• WTC Protocol covers consultation process when working on different country
• Staff attended the City of Sydney 2013 NAIDOC celebrations in Hyde Park and the NAIDOC exhibition Hereby Make Protest at Carriageworks in 2014. A staff lunch and film screening was held to mark Reconciliation Week in 2014 • Flag flown for NAIDOC week 2013 & 2014. It was also displayed during National Reconciliation Week 2014. • Completed • Completed • Completed. Revised HR Policy released in 2014 • Completed. Revised HR Policy released in 2014 • Completed
• Map not publicly displayed but is available for staff to review • Partnership with Artbank to display an annual rotation of artworks in the office • Not completed • Achieved
• Achieved
Not Achieved
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OPPORTUNITIES Gudirr Gudirr, photo Heidrun Lohr.
Opportunities for Indigenous individuals, organisations and communities are important to the program and staff development of Sydney Festival if it is to maintain its profile as a progressive, inclusive and socially responsible arts organisation.
The growth of a valuable network of Indigenous arts and corporate professionals will bring new perspectives and awareness of creative and business opportunities to Sydney Festival and promote workplace satisfaction.
FOCUS AREA: IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT AND RELATIONSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ACROSS ALL FESTIVAL DEPARTMENTS AND DEVELOP CAREER PATHWAYS FOR EMERGING ARTISTS AND ARTS WORKERS. ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET
PROGRESS
Indigenous employment
Executive Director, Heads of Departments
• Insufficient Progress
Indigenous internships
RAP Working Group, Heads of Departments
July 2013
• Heads of Department meetings include discussion on development of strategy toward employment of full-time Indigenous staff • Meetings with two Indigenous employment agencies, including Career Trackers • Identify four arts organisations with a commitment to Reconciliation to discuss development of a peer support network to share experiences, knowledge and opportunities to secure longer term employment outcomes for Indigenous arts workers and artists • Meeting with Australia Council to explore opportunities in arts and cultural sector to develop leadership in Indigenous sector September • Development of Sydney Festival intern 2013 program encouraging Indigenous participation • Meetings with Indigenous departments of key NSW based tertiary institutions • Secondment opportunities of Sydney Festival staff to Indigenous organisations investigated • Become a member of the Media Ring
Investigate potential Indigenous board member Align partnerships with other corporate and government organisations with RAPs
Executive Director, Board
November 2013
Development Department, Heads of Departments
Ongoing
Promote Reconciliation Action Plan
Marketing Department
July 2013
Explore supplier diversity
Executive Director, Heads of Departments Network with Programming Indigenous arts sector Department and support sector by attending and promoting events to create pathways to Sydney Festival
Exceeded
Achieved
• Secured funding for a paid Intern position in the Programming department • Three candidates identified and presented to the chair of the board for consideration in succession planning • Three sponsors and corporate organisations with RAPs identified and met to discuss potential opportunities • RAP vision included in all Festival Development credential presentations • Promotion of RAP through relevant marketing and communication streams • Public launch of RAP
September • Meeting with Supply Nation arranged 2013 July 2013 Ongoing
PROGRESS INDICATOR
• Insufficient Progress • Insufficient Progress
• Affiliate status granted by ATSI board. Further progress pending Australia Council review • Completed • Completed • Not completed • Affiliate status achieved • Completed • Not completed
• Partners with RAP have been identified but no formal conversations • Completed • Completed • Completed • Completed
• Identify works to be included in the 2014 and • Completed 2015 Sydney Festival • Attend pitches, developments and • Achieved performances of new Indigenous works
On Track
Not Achieved
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Cover image: Symphony in The Domain, photo Jamie Williams.