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.
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.
FIRST NATIONS EXCHANGE MANIFESTO
FEBRUARY 2018
DURING AUSTRALIAN PERFORMING ARTS MARKET (APAM 2018), BRISBANE
For thousands of generations we have cared for the soul of this country. Globally First Peoples are the knowledge bearers and cultural Custodians. The integrity of any arts & cultural conversation begins with us. To truly have a relationship with Australia you need to start with us.
An incredible amount of work has been done since Adelaide 2012 to grow the voice and presence of the First People of this land and others beyond the mere pitch n sell. But, we are just scratching the surface of what’s possible.
Brisbane’s prioritisation of First peoples has been intrinsic to the success of this spectacular event. As Melbourne takes custodianship of this gathering, we invite you to our table to discuss taking this event to the next level of partnership.
As we begin to reimagine this event, we offer this: When we come together what potential is unleashed when we go beyond commerce and honour deep connection? What would an APAM look like where all of us bring our entire selves: ancestry, spirit, culture then work?
Creative Victoria has stated their commitments to First Peoples cultural arts practice. Only WITH us will you to achieve these goals.
Blakfella says “You wanna do the right thing yeh?”
Whitefella says “But of course.
This mob of Blakfellas says “Let’s start right now.”
See you in Naarm.