Sydney Festival Reconciliation Action Plan

SYDNEY FESTIVAL

Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2014

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.

Archie Roach, Into the Bloodstream Sydney Festival 2013.

Photo Jamie Williams.

Honda Festival Garden,

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR As I helped my six year old boy get dressed in red, black and yellow this morning for the Reconciliation Week concert they are holding at his primary school his excitement and enthusiasm was truly infectious.

It’s wonderful to think how far we have come, yet in the same period a major sporting star has been racially vilified and one of our significant Indigenous leaders has had his incredible life cut way too short as is the ongoing fate of far too many in our Indigenous community.

The Sydney Festival Reconciliation Action Plan is our organisation's commitment to ensure that we keep moving forward on this vital issue for our nation. We are committed 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. We have set ourselves measurable goals and targets to ensure action.

We look forward to the success of this plan, together with the hundreds of other RAPs now in place across the nation, and to a time when these plans become obsolete.

Chris tooher EXEcutive director

Pictured: Brook Andrew's Travelling Colonies, Festival First Night 2011.

Photo Daniel Boud

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Our Vision for Reconciliation 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 artsworkers • build cultural awareness and understanding among our staff, stakeholders and audiences of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories.

Radical Son and Jarad Simon, I Am Eora, Sydney Festival 2012. Photo Prudence Upton.

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Our business

The biggest event in the city’s cultural calendar, Sydney Festival is a unique and playful celebration of Sydney in summer. Every January it transforms our city with a kaleidoscopic program of performance, art and big ideas.

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Our free and ticketed events cover a multitude of genres and have ranged from burlesque circus to New York rap and from Russian theatre to traditional Indigenous arts practice.

For more than three decades the Festival has brought to Sydney outstanding artists like Björk, Brian Wilson, David Byrne, Elvis Costello, Grace Jones, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Robert Lepage, Sir Ian McKellen, Archie Roach and Peter Sellars alongside some of the world's great companies - Wayne McGregor's Random Dance, Cheek by Jowl, Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Schaubühne Berlin to name only a few – to share the Festival with the most exciting artists and companies in Australia.

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, including Ilbijerri Theatre Company, Black Arm Band, Marrugeku, The Pigram Brothers, Archie Roach, Wesley Enoch, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Kev Carmody, Rhoda Roberts, Richard Bell, Gerry Bostock, Kelton Pell, Brook Andrew, Frank Yaama, Dan Sultan, Dr Anita Heiss, Professor Larissa Behrendt, Mark Howett, Rachel Perkins, the Hon. Linda Burney, Uncle Jack Charles, Stephen Page, Bart Willoughby, Gary Foley, Professor Shane Houston, Ernie Dingo, Ursula Yovich, Last Kinection, Emma Donovan, Trevor Jamieson and many more.

In 2012, Sydney Festival heralded a significant shift in its commitment to its programming of contemporary Indigenous work by presenting Black Capital, a ground-breaking contemporary program of diverse Indigenous works and ideas, emerging as one of the Festival’s most ambitious projects ever – in scale, scope and in its transformative potential and momentum.

During the three year development period leading to the presentation of Black Capital, Sydney Festival launched longer term strategies to encourage productive partnerships with Indigenous artists and organisations: to develop new, Indigenous Festival audiences; to commission new work; and to discover and present emerging and established Indigenous artists and their work.

Our first Reconciliation Action Plan provides us with clear objectives to support this strategy and develop employment opportunities for Indigenous people across all facets of the Festival. As we develop ideas, the Festival will continue to consult with local organisations such as Sydney’s Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, the City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group and specific project-based reference groups.

Sydney Festival has a full time equivalent of 50–60 staff in any given year. Together this team curates, plans and presents the annual three week program of events. The organisational structure of the permanent team promotes good communication, effective ownership by staff members over their areas of responsibility, active support among team members and a flexible and questioning environment where open discussion is encouraged.

Sydney Festival's audacious contemporary programming position is at the forefront of arts practice in Australia and up there as one of the most wonderful festivals in the world. Sydney Festival relies on a mix of government funding; corporate, media and production partnerships; as well as philanthropic giving.

Accessibility is central to the Sydney Festival ethos, which is reflected in a commitment to free events, broad geographic reach, disability access and the Festival’s ongoing commitment to a Reconciliation Action Plan.

Black Capital Family Day, Sydney Festival 2012.

Photo Prudence Upton.

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Our RAP

We have been developing our RAP since 2011 after a review of programming within the Festival recommended we proactively develop an environment within the Festival for Indigenous projects to flourish, with the aim to leave a lasting footprint in the form of resources upon which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers could build for future projects.

This has led us to focus on longer term thinking and to seek creative partnerships with Indigenous organisations within and beyond the arts scene. 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 focussed on promoting employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of the Festival.

Emma Donovan, Walk a Mile in My Shoes, Sydney Festival 2012. Photo Jamie Williams.

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RELATIONSHIPS

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 A RAP Working Group established

RESPONSIBILITY Executive Director, Heads of Departments, Board

TIMELINE August 2012 – July 2013

MEASURABLE TARGET • 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

RAP Working Group

July 2013

• Two external meetings with Indigenous advisors during development of RAP • Request Metropolotian Local Aboriginal Land Council review draft RAP

Meet with key Indigenous partners to explore more meaningful ways to develop ongoing relationships Promote Indigenous events, activities, businesses and news

Executive Director, relevant Heads of Departments

September 2013

• Regular meetings between Sydney Festival and relevant media and arts organisations including: Gadigal Information Services, NCIE, NITV, Moogahlin Performing Arts

Marketing and Programming Deparments

Ongoing

Meet with key Sydney Indigenous leaders to advise of Sydney Festival annual program

Festival Director, Head of Programming, relevant Programming staff RAP Working Group

September 2013 and annually thereafter

• 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 • Presentation of 2014 festival program to City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group and Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council before public launch

March 2013

• 2013 Indigenous charity Aboriginal Literacy Foundation endorsed by entire staff

Programming and Marketing departments

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

Identify and research Indigenous charity to support annually Develop and maintain Indigenous database

Radical Son and Stiff Gins, Sydney Festival 2012 Launch.

Photo Jamie Williams.

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RESPECT

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.

Kev Carmody, Cannot Buy My Soul, Sydney Festival 2008.

Photo Prudence Upton.

ACTION 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

RESPONSIBILITY Programming Department

TIMELINE September 2013

MEASURABLE TARGET • Current protocols updated and approved by Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council • Development of protocols for Sydney Festival events taking place on land outside of MLALC jurisdiction

Marketing Department

September 2013

• Text approved by Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council • Acknowledgement published in 2014 Festival brochure

Cultural Awareness training

RAP Working Group

August 2012

Sydney Festival staff engage with or attend significant Indigenous activities and events to promote cultural awareness Investigate policy parameters to support culturally sensitive recruitment, contract process and workplace

RAP Working Group

Ongoing

Festival to apply appropriate cultural protocols to all processes and events Promote workplace connection to Indigenous Australia

All Departments

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

RAP Working Group

September 2013

RAP Working Group, July 2013 Heads of Departments

• Indigenous country maps displayed 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

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OPPORTUNITIES

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.

Dan Sultan, Parramatta Closing Party, Sydney Festival 2012.

Photo Prudence Upton.

ACTION Indigenous employment

RESPONSIBILITY Executive Director, Heads of Departments

TIMELINE July 2013

Indigenous internships

RAP Working Group, Heads of Departments

September 2013

Investigate potential Indigenous board member Align partnerships with other corporate and government organisations with RAPs Promote Reconciliation Action Plan

Executive Director, Board Development Department, Heads of Departments Marketing Department

Nov 2013

Explore supplier diversity

Executive Director, Heads of Departments Programming Department

September 2013

Network with Indigenous arts sector and support sector by attending and promoting events to create pathways to Sydney Festival

Ongoing

July 2013

July 2013 Ongoing

MEASURABLE TARGET • 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 • Development of Sydney Festival intern 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 • 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 • Meeting with Supply Nation arranged • Identify works to be included in the 2014 and 2015 Sydney Festival • Attend pitches, developments and performances of new Indigenous works

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I Am Eora, Sydney Festival 2012. Photo Prudence Upton.

10 Hickson Road The Rocks NSW 2000 Australia T +61 2 8248 6500 F +61 2 8248 6599 E mail@sydneyfestival.org.au sydneyfestival.org.au

Pictured on cover: Jack Charles, I Am Eora, Sydney Festival 2012. Photo Prudence Upton.