We need more First Nations productions managers, producers, designers, composers, technicians, managers, administrators across all aspects of art making.
First Peoples Independent Performing Arts sector survey
Ilbijerri Theatre Company, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, and BlakDance sought assistance and feedback from the First Peoples Independent Performing Arts sector to ensure that your needs are being heard for sustaining your arts practice during and post-COVID-19 restrictions.
First Nations Performing Arts Organisations - Feedback to 2021-22 Pre-Budget Submission
Read the full submission Here.
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts
In collaboration with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, Marrugeku, Moogahlin Performing Arts, and National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA), BlakDance contributed to the Inquiry calling on the government for;
Increased funding for all of the First Nations dance sector via the Australia Council for the Arts
Development of a national cultural policy led by First Nations cultural arts sector
Closing the Gap to fund Culture
Targeted support for Elders
The establishment of a national Indigenous cultural arts peak body
Research on baseline data for Indigenous performing arts, including our contribution to GDP.
THE FIRST NATIONS PERFORMING ARTS SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
This is a submission by the First Nations Performing Arts sector to the Senate Select Committee on COVID- 19, outlining the measures the sector took to respond to the pandemic and to contribute to the broader Australian Cultural Arts industry response. It is intended to complement the Performing Arts Peak bodies submission.
C-Virus Dilly Bag
C-Virus Dilly Bag is an ongoing collection of resources for our sector during COVID-19. The threat is increasing over the coming weeks and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent a particularly vulnerable group within the community. Our local Elders have requested that we develop a First Nations lead approach to COVID-19. Our approach consists of an online dilly bag filled with resources, by all communities, for all communities.
Calling for Champion Companies – Crisis Cash for Artists Fund
A consortium of companies in the performing arts, led by TNA in partnership with Creative Partnerships Australia, are currently working on a fundraising campaign to provide equity bursaries to independent artists who have been adversely affected by Covid-19 and who do not have a financial safety net.
In times of crisis, we turn to the arts. Now the arts is in crisis.
ARTS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
Over fifty of Australia’s leading arts, creative, cultural and entertainment industry bodies have united to send a clear message to the Prime Minister: act now to ensure that Australia’s cultural life survives COVID-19.
Targeted stimulus to a value of 2% of the $111.7 billion industry is urgently required to save hundreds of thousands of jobs and prevent business closures, so that Australia’s social and cultural life can adapt and survive through COVID-19’s perils.
Preparing Ground
Behind this new work, Preparing Ground, are three dynamic women – all of whom worked as dancers with the legendary Bangarra Dance Company before leaving to start independent choreographic careers, where they’ve made work that’s been seen throughout Australia and Canada. From six very different Indigenous Nations, they are joining forces to make a work about what it means to Prepare Ground, prepare the land, prepare communities and next generations for the future survival of this land.
MATRIARCHS UPRISING 2020
For this year’s Talking Stick Festival in Vancouver, Olivia Davies has curated and co-produced a two part program of contemporary dance and performance with works from Australia, New Zealand, and Canada - Matriarchs Uprising 2020 - presenting works by Mariaa Randall, Henrietta Baird, Louise Potiki Bryant & Aria Evans.
Ausdance members vote to maintain Ausdance National
Following the announcement by the National Council of the Australian Dance Council – Ausdance Incorporated (Ausdance National) that the organisation would be wound up, an alternative option to maintain the organisation was proposed to the board by members of the Association. The motion was accepted by the membership at a Special General Meeting on 4 December 2019.
Department of Arts axed in government power play
Artists around the country are reeling from the news that the Federal Government has removed them from the political agenda. As of 1 February 2020 the arts will no longer be represented as a department name as the former Department of Communications and the Arts has been rolled into a newly formed Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Funding uncertainty brings arts companies to a crisis point
The applications the companies submitted this week are crucial because their success – or otherwise – will lock in the small-to-medium funding landscape well into the next decade. 2020 marks the end of four years of federal funding for 124 companies. The next round, which starts in 2021, will dispense more than $110m until 2024.
Dance Rites 2019 Winners Announced
Australia’s fifth annual national First Nations dance competition, Dance Rites, has drawn to a close after an intense two-day competition on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Over the weekend of 23-24 November, more than 350 dancers from 17 dance groups, hailing from the far corners of Australia presented their traditional welcome, farewell and ‘wildcard’ dances.
INDIGENOUS DANCE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP - CRITICAL PATH
5 First Nations Australian Artists will come to the Drill Hall in September to participate in a three-day development workshop. Together the group will explore and share where they find themselves in their practice now, their connections and responsibilities to community, and consider how they represent their work (in text, image and when speaking about it) along with what they communicate with others.
Matriarchs Uprising, Indigenous women gather to build international dance community
IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD, BUT THE DANCING IS FINE
In a collaboration with Taiwanese First Nations creatives, Negotiating Home x Red Earth explored the environmental crisis we’re currently facing, writes Timmah Ball. Blak Critics is a YIRRAMBOI initiative giving voice to First Nations writers and critics.
INTERRUPTING COLONIAL OPPRESSION WITH CAMP HUMOUR
With candy clouds and audience participation, Daddy reveals a new and vital understanding of our country, writes Timmah Ball. Blak Critics is a YIRRAMBOI initiative giving voice to First Nations writers and critics.
HONOURING THOSE WHO LEFT US TOO SOON
The Honouring is a heartbreaking journey that examines the intergenerational pain and trauma that First Nations communities suffer, writes Davey Thompson. Blak Critics is a YIRRAMBOI initiative giving voice to First Nations writers and critics.