First Nations Performing Arts Workforce Development Roundtable
Tuesday 13 June, 2023 9.00 AM - 4:30 PM
Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
About the roundtable
The self-determined First Nations Performing Arts Companies ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, Marrugeku, Moogahlin Performing Arts and BlakDance invite you to the First Nations Performing Arts Workforce Development Roundtable.
We welcome the opportunity to collegiately and collectively address the barriers and pathways to success on this critically important topic. Through this work, we aim to articulate principles for embedding First Nations cultural leadership within the frameworks that sustain the First Nations performing arts workforce, and support ethical and culturally safe empowerment and partnerships.
Why this roundtable?
As First Nations arts leaders we have a responsibility to play a key role in workforce development. Our communities are the custodians of the most exciting and compelling stories globally. Self-determination must be an embedded principle in all First Nations programs and initiatives, including workforce development.
Self-determination is the most fundamental right for First Nations people, and is central to addressing disadvantages. Self-determination means First Nations people having the right to make decisions concerning their own lives and communities, and the right to retain their culture and to develop it.
“It is vital that First Nations peoples lead First Nations arts and cultural organisations. This requires a commitment to training and skills development for First Nations cultural and creative practitioners and more sustainable career pathways for young First Nations peoples to enter the arts, entertainment and cultural sector. The new National Cultural Policy [Revive] supports the self‑determination of First Nations peoples to make the decisions that impact them.” - Linda Burney
As a First Nations sector, we deliver powerful cultural outcomes across dance, theatre and performing arts practice areas, we provide fundamental infrastructure and services over vast distances, with remits at local, regional/remote, national, and international levels. We provide industry standards for working conditions including First Nations Creative Control and adherence to and implementation of the principles of Indigenous Cultural Protocols and working with Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). First Nations performing arts organisations incubate early-career talent and emerging companies, and produce independents.
To achieve the goal of producing and presenting more First Nations performance work we must strengthen the First Nations arts workforce across all roles.
Key Priorities
Develop an Action Plan for developing First Nations Performing Arts Skills & Workforce Capacity
Event Overview
Agenda – This is the schedule for the day. Please check in at the Registration Desk in the Linen Room on arrival. The Registration Desk opens from 8:00 AM and the roundtable starts at 9:00 AM, finishing 4:30 PM.
Media Release Consent Notice – The event will be recorded. A Professional Photographer, Cinematographer and Sound Recorder will be present. Please opt out of providing your consent to use your photo, and any digital recording, audio recording or video recording of you obtained on the day, by email to admin@blakdance.org.au.
Code of Conduct – All delegates of the First Nations Performing Arts Workforce Development Roundtable must comply with the self-determined First Nations Performing Arts Companies values and conduct standards provided in this document.
From our Co-Facilitators – This is a welcome letter from our Co-Facilitators, Cameron Costello and Penny Miles.
Background Issue Paper – We have identified six key workforce development issues, this paper (2 pages) is a summary overview of the six key issues impacting sustainable career pathways and workforce development, in preparation for the discussion.
Land Acknowledgment – We will be gathering on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of Melbourne and surrounding lands, visit the website of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation for more information.
Orienting yourself – If you like maps, the Abbotsford Convent map will help you be spatially prepared. Visit the venue website for more information on Paid Parking available and getting there. Upon arrival proceed to the Linen Room for Registration.
Your Safety – The Salon Room will be a First Nations Gathering Space and Safety Hub for the event. Event staff will support or redirect support where applicable and enact our Event Safety Process and Response.
First Nations Performing Arts Workforce Development Roundtable has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and generously supported by Abbotsford Convent.