hello Bec

Naked, new, and nostalgic - it's May at CAN WA!

Welcome to the May edition of Around the Campfire - where we bring you the community arts news occuring this month.

As mentioned in the last edition, Bec is away for two months - leaving me to entertain and inform you. I hope everyone will join me in wishing Bec the best of luck, and a speedy recovery - It has only been two weeks but we are all missing her terribly! Surprisingly the office is still standing, but I think that may be because so much has been going on in it!

A brand new website, a nearly ready Narrogin office and public art project, the launch of a research publication, and an AGM are just some of the things CAN WA has been up to since you saw us last!
 

Signing off,

Nicola (on behalf of Bec), Administration and Funding Officer @ CAN WA

Submit your news, events and opportunities for the June edition of Around the Campfire by Monday, 21 June 2010

If you are reading this e-bulletin, then you are already aware of our new web design and layout! We hope this makes your visit to our website more enjoyable and easier to navigate.

Take a look around, and familiarise yourself with the new look CAN WA. We have a scrolling news banner on the top of the page - to keep you up to date as you peruse the site. Soon you will also be able to pay membership fees online.

Don't worry, we're still the same CAN WA - just with a fresh new look!

Check it out at www.canwa.com.au and let us know what you think.

On Friday 7 May 2010 CAN WA launched the research publication Naked Practice to a bevvy of guests, researchers, and enthusiasts at the King St Arts Centre.

The publication was officially launched by Anne Dunn, AM, and with presentations by authors Dr Dave Palmer and Dr Christopher Sonn, along with CAN WA Chairman George Kingsley and Managing Director Pilar Kasat, the night was a huge success, with guests ranging from arts practitioners, industry representatives, and university students.

The night ended with a hearty rendition of a song written especially for the event by June Moorhouse and Anne Dunn.

Big thanks to everyone involved in making the night, and the amazing publication, such a success.

Photo: Anne Dunn AM launching the Naked Practice publication

The CAN WA Annual General Meeting for 2010 went off without a hitch on Wednesday, 26 May. With a good cross-section of CAN WA financial members, directors and staff the meeting was a-buzz with changes to the constitution, and new board members!

A big welcome goes to Michelle Hovane, Grace Minton and Rebecca Tomkinson who have now joined the Board of Directors, and the CAN WA family. Look out for their profiles appearing soon on our website.

Pictured from left to right > Alison Wright, Brian Curtis, Michelle Hovane, Grace Minton, Soula Veyradier, Stephen Scarrott, George Kingsley, Pilar Kasat (Managing Director), and Rebecca Tomkinson.

CAN WA is currently runnng a public art project in Narrogin, where members of the local Narrogin community are working with local artist Jahne Rees to produce and design functional artwork in the form of concrete seats. Jahne is also mentoring one of our Aboriginal regional staff members Ross Storey - who is a visual artist in his own right.

The participants have begun creating the 3 seats from scratch - mixing and pouring the cement and designing and creating the images depicting Aboriginal heritage. From Friday 4 June, the pieces will be placed in various areas through the Aboriginal walk trail in Gnarojin Park.

Photo: Peter Ugle, Wade Kickett, and Anne Kickett

Another very competitive round of the Catalyst Community Arts Fund has been completed and finalised.

With many interesting new projects and ideas submitted, the panel had a difficult time assessing each great application.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application soon - so keep an eye out on our website for a full list of the successful projects.

In 1998 CAN WA took on an initiative to rally the genorosity of Western Australians, by putting a call out for donations of old musical instruments or help towards the purchase of second hand instruments. These instruments and donations went towards a youth music program in Cape Town, South Africa, with the aim of developing a self sufficient training institute for African and Western instruments to preserve African folklore as well as provide an opportunity for a new contemporary culture to evolve.

This initiative brought out some incredible stories, with one appearing in the newspaper of Mrs Kate Watkins, a resident at Montrose Nursing Home in Clarement, who donated her son's - the late Griffith Watkins - trumpet to the cause. Griff drowned in the Swan River in 1969, but through his mother's genorosity his spirit continued to bring joy and celebration to the lives of young South African children.

Photo: Members of the Kwa Zulu Natal Youth Orchestra

Naked Practice Research Publication

Naked Practice is the product of 18 months of research into the Voices of the Wheatbelt and Rock Hole Long Pipe projects undertaken by CAN WA, with Dr Christopher Sonn, from the School of Social Science at Victoria University in Footscray, Victoria, and Dr Dave Palmer who teaches in the Community Development Programme at Murdoch University.

A PDF copy of Naked Practice is available to download for free from our website

If you would like a hard copy of the book (including a DVD of pictures from the Rock Hole Long Pipe and Voices of the Wheatbelt projects) email CAN WA.

Each book = $10.00 for p&h

There is a limit of one book per person.

Community Engagement and Cultural Planning 2010

The dates for the 2010 Community Engagement and Cultural Planning (CECP) course have been announced. The first installment will occur over 10, 11  & 12 August, with the second half happening 13 & 14 September. The course covers the concepts of culture, community cultural development, creative community consultation and engagement, cultural mapping/planning and evaluation, and includes two units of competency at a diploma level - in developing and maintaining a community cultural plan, and devising and conducting community consultations.

Registrations for 2010 will be open soon - so make sure you get in quick!

For more information, or to download a registration form, visit the training section of the CAN WA website.

Creative Networks Fund 2010

The Creative Networks fund is designed to support local regional government authorities (LGA's) to develop their capacity to use art and culture to improve the lives of their citizens.

The grants will provide skills development, mentoring and networking with intensive training over a period of eight to ten months, and an ongoing connection to CAN WA and like-minded LGA's for three years. Participants will have the opportunity to attend CAN WA's nationally recognised Community Engagement and Cultural Planning Course.

Expressions of interest for 2010 are now open.

The first round of the Creative Networks Fund closes Wednesday, 30 June 2010 at 5pm, for the program commencing from 1 August 2010.

For more information contact Sian Brown at CAN WA on 08 9226 2422, sian@canwa.com.au, or visit the funding section of the CAN WA Website.

Junction 2010 conference and festival program unveiled

On 13 April the official program for the seventh Regional Arts Australia (RAA) national conference - Junction 2010 - was released. Taking place in Launceston, Tasmania from 26-29 August, the conference will include presentations by independant community culture researcher Francois Matarosso from the UK; Ernest Sirolli, a noted authority in the field of social enterprise and sustainable economic development; and the inventor of Virtual Reality Modelling Language (a fusion of virtual reality and the World Wide Web), Mark Pesce.

Alongside the conference will be the Junction Arts festival (25-30 August) involving 44 events, and providing community members the opportunity for interaction and open discussion with the conference delegates.

Registrations are now open on the Junction 2010 website, with special early bird offers until 18 June 2010.

Festivals Australia recipients announced

Arts Minister Peter Garrett announced more than $459,000 in Festivals Australia funding for 32 projects at regional and community festivals throughout Australia.

Read more about the recipients on the Department of Envrionment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website.

The closing date for applications for the next round of Festivals Australia funding is 15 June 2010. For more information visit www.arts.gov.au/festivals_australia

Good cause to band together

The best of Perth’s established and emerging musicians and artists will band together in the second Artists for Education spearheaded by Perth-based charity VOW, with all proceeds assisting disadvantaged kids across WA.

The community friendly event, like the CD they are promoting, will present a selection of local talent, including Nathan Gaunt, The China Blue Experiment (featuring Fremantle’s renowned Simon Kelly) and The Blue Finish. Its festival vibe will encompass busking, juggling, pop opera (popra) with Veronica Santoro, dance, African drumming by Wasamba, a photography expo, short film screenings, interactive theatre and art installations.

Date: Sunday, 30 May 2010
Time: noon to 10pm
Venue: Railway Hotel, Fremantle
Cost: $25 on the door, which includes the Artist for Education CD, a free drink and access to all the acts, events and galleries.

Country Arts WA: Arts + Ideas + You =

Want to know how to get funding for your arts project? Have a great idea but not sure what to do with it? Wondering if you are eligible for grants?

Country Arts WA is offering an information and ideas session to the Broome community. They want you to come along primed with your ideas to discuss their funding programs to see if they fit. Out of ideas? Just come along anyway to get inspired!

Date: Friday 4 June 2010
Time: 2pm-3:30pm
Venue: Broome Lotteries House, 642 Cable Beach Rd
Cost: Free!

Please RSVP via email to Sarah Vagliviello or on regional freecall 1800 811 883 by Wednesday 2 June.

City of Melville Public Art Commission

The City of Melvile is now seeking expressions of interest from artists and teams of artists for a site specific public artwork for the reserve located on the corner of Leach Highway and Murdoch Drive. Teams of artists may be multi-disciplinary and are not restricted to visual arts.

The value of the commission is $50,000 plus GST, and includes all artists' fees, construction and installation of the artwork.

Email Hannah at the City of Melville for a copy of the brief.

Closing date: Friday 4 June 2010 5pm

Northam Art Prize 2010

The Avon Valley Arts Inc. Northam Art Prize is now open for 2010.

For entry forms, rules and conditions email Christine Elaine or call Avon Valley Arts on 08 9622 2245.

Closing date: 18 June 2010 4pm

Call for Expressions of Interest: IASKA Spaced

After ten years of operations in and around the town of Kellerberrin, IASKA is greatly expanding the scope of its activities. IASKA's new core program is Spaced: an international biennial event that will reach communities throughout Western Australia as well as several overseas locations. Spaced will feature commissioned visual and media arts projects created by artists working on-site with a wide range of social and environmental situations.

Selected artists will be offered a substantial remuneration package inclusive of artist's fees, materials and production costs, travel allowance, accommodation and a car.

Email projects@iaska.com.au for the full application package.

Deadline: Expressions of interest must be received by 21 June 2010

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Tutors, Barking Gecko Theatre Company

Barking Gecko Theatre Company is currently looking for new tutors for their specialist workshop program (ie. general school, community groups, outside school care etc.). The program focuses on a wide range of skills, and preference will be given to artists already working in the industry keen to pass on their knowledge to young people. Professional development will be provided to new tutors to ensure that Barking Gecko provided only the highest standard of drama education. For more information please email Andrea at Barking Gecko Theatre Company.

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Executive Director, Propel Youth Arts WA

Propel is looking for a new, dynamic Executive Director. The position is full-time at a negotiated salary range of between $60-$65,000, plus superannuation. The ideal candidate will be someone with outstanding leadership and communication skills, organisational and planning ability, experience in managing budgets, securing sponsorship and the ability to work in a small team environment.

For a full position description and how to apply, visit the Propel Youth Arts WA website

Closing date: Friday 18 June 2010 at 5pm

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Officer - Community & Regional, Department of Culture and the Arts

The Department of Culture and the Arts has a vacancy for a Project Officer - Community and Regional. This is a full-time position for a period of six months with the possibility of extension, at $62,959 - $66,538. Regional travel is a requirement of the position. The position includes a 20% pay loading to cover a range of activities to take place outside of normal work hours.

To obtain an application package including a job description form and an application for advertised vacancy form, visit the JobsWA website, or phone the 24 hour jobs line on (08) 9258 0650 and an information pack will be mailed to you.

Closing date: Monday 31 May 2010 at 4pm

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Music Development Officer, Ngaanyatjarra Media

Ngaanyatjarra Media is seeking the employment of an experienced dynamic and self-motivated music professional to join them in the role of Music Development Officer (MDO). This role involves working with Indigenous people in a community cultural development context. The position is shared, alternating between a male and female MDO to ensure gender balance in the program. It is a roaming position, based at Irrunytju (Wingellina) Community, WA, which is 10km from the tri-state border (WA, SA and NT).

For more information regarding this opportunity contact Paddy Donovan on paddy@ngmedia.org.au or 08 0956 7307.

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Marketing Coordinator, The Perth International Arts Festival

The Perth International Arts Festival is seeking a passionate, organised and innovative professional to join the marketing team. You will work with the Marketing and Audience Development Manager in the development and implementation of the strategic marketing plan.

If you have a love of the arts and three or more years’ experience as a marketing professional specialising in new media and retail marketing, this is your opportunity to have a challenging job in an exciting and vibrant industry.

Appointment is a 3 year full time contract. Salary Level 5/6 $53,265–$66,369 p.a. pro rata plus 17% superannuation.

Download application details from the PIAF website, and for more details email Karen McDonald.

Closing date: Friday 18 June 2010

Department of Culture and the Arts: Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Grants Program

Developed in conjunction with the Australia Council for the Arts, the Department of Culture and the Arts and Department of Education, the AIR Grants Program is a four year pilot funding program and was launched in June 2009.

The AIR Grants Program is open to applications from Western Australian public schools, clusters of public schools and/or teacher training institutions and Department of Culture and the Arts key funded arts and cultural organisations.

The Program is designed to support artist-in-residence activity in public schools and universities and to improve students' access to high quality arts in education programs in this state.

The AIR Grants Program is made up to two funding STREAMS:

• AIR STREAM 1: Short term artist residencies (capped at $30,000) for a minimum of 30 days or equivalent to 150 contact hours starting in Term 2, 2011 (scheduled consecutively or completed by the end of Term 3, 2011). The public school or teacher training institution submits the application.
• AIR STREAM 2: Long term residency (capped at $100,000) for a minimum of 60 days or equivalent 300 contact hours starting Term 2, 2011 and completed by end of Term 4, 2011.  Department of Culture and the Arts key funded arts and cultural organisations will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to collaborate with and work in a public school, cluster of public schools and/or teacher training institution. The AIR Grants Program Assessment Panel will short-list the EOIs and invite these organisations to submit a full proposal for assessment.

Full details and the STREAM 1 application form will be made available from the ArtsEdge website, with the 2010 funding round opening in Term 2, 2010 (date TBA).

BOO Grants - bamBOO Venue Support Grant Program

Proposals are invited from across Australia to apply for this new venue support program which offers support involving the complimentary use of the bamBOO amphitheatre along with venue production, marketing and ticketing support.

A selection of six projects will be offered full access to venue facilities in order to workshop and carry out their project as part of the next bamBOO summer season October 2010 to May 2011.

Email Claire French at bamBOO for application information and selection criteria.

Closing date: 2 July 2010

Before we begin this month's chinwag - we have to apologise to YVETTE Wall (not Yvonne). We unfortunately misspelled her name last month, and have been feeling incredibly foolish ever since. Sorry Yvette!

Rachael Hains-Wesson

Tell us about yourself My name is Rachael Hains-Wesson and I'm a mother of a fantastic five-year-old boy, Boston who loves creating puppet shows and flying. I've been married to an eccentric and caring sole, Trevor for nine years - and boy, has it gone fast! We don't believe in having a TV in the house so our nights are mad with playing games, reading and jamming and of course laughing and 'spitting the dummy' too.

What inspires you? Seeing great Australian theatre that is innovative and high-quality and working with student-artists, remote communities and especially children. 

How do you describe your artistic style? Producing theatre and creative writing projects that entertain and educate as well as working within group-devised projects that centre on team-work and the artistic practices that originate from the self. 

What would be your dream project? Working with young people in regional communities that want to perform or publish their own creations and being a part of this process as a practitioner and motivator. 

How do you work with and/or for communities? My role has changed over the years. I am presently working with university students and working on subversive theatre and its ideas as well as getting students ready to start creating self-devised works. I also work closely with theatre for young audiences as an academic and as a practitioner and so, I am always working towards the inclusion of minority artforms so that they too can become a part of the mainstream artistic development and its discourses. 

What are you most proud of professionally? Receiving the 2009 Convocation Award from The University of Western Australia to travel to the USA and complete research with The University of Wisconsin-Madison within the Theatre for Youth program. (I've attached a picture of the awardees and I'm standing on the left of the Governer General) Additionally, I am very proud of working with young people and designing and producing Odd Socks and Neat Hair (1998-2000) which received the Queen's Trust Achiever Award (now known as the Foundation for Young Australians) and the Myer Foundation Award.