TNA Advocacy

TNA was recently in Canberra, meeting with Federal MPs and advisors on behalf of the sector. We emphasised that strategic support for children, young people, and the arts is needed to stem decreasing participation and attendance rates, and support workforce and audience development for the broader performing arts sector. Our recommendations included targeted and efficient investments for arts education in schools, youth arts funding, support for emerging creatives, and an increased focus on children and young people in the next national cultural policy.

2025 Federal Youth Advisory Groups EOIs

Applications will close on Nov 17 for 16–24-year-olds to join the Federal Creative Industries Youth Advisory Group. The Youth Advisory Groups work with the Australian Government on key aspects of the National Cultural Policy. TNA was instrumental in getting this group established in 2023, and are very glad to see it return for a second iteration. Please encourage young people you know to apply.

ASSITEJ International Update

Sue Giles, President of ASSITEJ International, has written a November update. It includes an upcoming ASSITEJ New Voices Fellowship, which has not opened yet, and a report from Australian ASSITEJ Member Emma Knight, who attended the 2024 Visioni Festival in Bologna. 

NATIONAL STUFF

16 Nov – Propel Youth Arts’ Pivot: Creatives Connected (WA)
A one-day masterclass for young people and emerging arts practitioners. Includes keynote talks, panel discussions and workshops. $29 for concession holders, $69 for full prices.

18 Nov – Blackbird Foundation Believers Grant
$10,000–$20,000 for projects that connect young people with their creativity. Projects must be primarily for young people under 25 years old.

28 Nov – Drama Victoria Conference
Drama Victoria’s annual conference for theatre educators. Sue Giles (TNA Board Member and President of ASSITEJ) will be presenting ‘The Value of What We Do – Drama Teachers and Theatre Artists in Alliance’. Sue and TNA member Meg Upton will also run a workshop ‘Who We Make Theatre With, Who We Make Theatre For – Approaches to Inclusive and Accessible Theatre Making in VCE (and Beyond)’.

29 Nov – City of Greater Bendigo’s Create Lab Grants (VIC)
$2,000 for young, local artists aged 16–25 to develop a new creative project. Projects will need to respond to the themes of people, place, time, or culture.

Case Study: How Monkey Baa Collected Feedback from Young Audiences
Monkey Baa collaborated with Culture Counts on the development of an outcomes framework designed for children and young audiences.  

INTERNATIONAL STUFF

Directors in TYA Exchange 2025 Representative: Luke Kerridge
We’re thrilled to announce that Luke Kerridge has been selected as the Australian delegate for the Directors in TYA Exchange 2025 in Germany. Luke, along with directors from all over the world, will travel to Hamburg for the exchange, which encourages all participants to bring their ideas and experience.

30 Jan 2025 – ASSITEJ France Bright Generations Danced Postcards
In preparation for ASSITEJ France’s ‘Bright Generations‘ Gathering, they’re asking professional dancers or choreographer to submit ‘danced postcards’ with a group of children, which will be shown as part of the gathering.

ASSITEJ Newsletter
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