Dear ASSITEJ Network Colleagues,
I hope that this bulletin finds you healthy, safe and at home.
We find ourselves in such a different landscape right now. Working from home, access to free childcare and mass home schooling in 2020 all have a huge impact on the lives of children, young people and families across Australia.
I hope that among the difficulties, this could also be a time to envisage a new kind of future with the young people of Australia who are dreaming from their bedrooms, lounge rooms and backyards. A kind of imagination that can see past this into a new future.
Please read on for updates on from ASSITEJ around the world, news of solidarity across the Theatre for Young Audiences and Youth Arts sector and some inspiration from kids around the globe.
Tessa Leong (with Nicole, Simone, Rani, Yuhui and Jamie)
Theatre Network Australia
TNA STUFF
[TNA is the Australian National Centre for ASSITEJ. We support Sue Giles in her role as Australian Representative and Vice President of ASSITEJ global, and work in collaboration with Sue and the wider sector on key advocacy priorities and activities.]
TNA STAFF WORKING FROM HOME
We are working from home in line with advice from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. The best way to reach our team is by email.
CRISIS CASH FOR ARTISTS FUND 1000 x 1000: CALLING FOR CHAMPION COMPANIES!
A consortium of companies in the performing arts sector, led by Theatre Network Australia 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.TNA are actively seeking companies who will endorse the campaign and get the word out to potential donors as well as struggling artists. Get in touch if you’d like to join the list of fabulous companies getting behind it here.
CRISIS CASH FOR ARTISTS FUND 1000 x 1000: GIVING AND RECEIVING!
The other essential part of this campaign is to get some generous donors in touch with independent artists. If you have a stable job and love the arts you can DONATE HERE. If you’re an independent artist in need, REQUEST SUPPORT HERE.
SOLIDARITY ACROSS THE THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES AND YOUTH ARTS SECTOR
The sector has banded together after the news of the Australia Council’s Four-Year Funding Outcomes. The announcement that only 95 companies would be funded, and 49 offered transitional year-long funding has been difficult for many. The TYA and YA sector is particularly hurt as Polyglot Theatre, Shopfront Youth Arts, Australian Theatre for Young People, St Martins Youth Arts Centre and Barking Gecko have been defunded. Sue Giles spoke to The Age about the current state of play here. Stay tuned for ways to keep connected to the sector and advocate for better outcomes as we move through these tough times.
SUE’S BID FOR PRESIDENT OF ASSITEJ INTERNATIONAL
Sue’s nomination for Presidency of ASSITEJ International has been lodged. We thank you all for your support and testimonials in Sue’s bid to lead the Executive Committee of this international network of peers. Due to the Congress being postponed, the elections will not be held until March 2021, and the current Executive Committee will remain in place until that time. We look forward to learning the outcome of her nomination in the future.
SUE’S STUFF
ASSITEJ AROUND THE WORLD
ASSITEJ members all around the world are feeling the effect of COVID-19 with the impact on artists one of the greatest challenges we have ever experienced. For some of our members, the risks and dangers of isolation or shutdown are greater because of pre-existing fragile economic situations and inadequate health services. This month’s ASSITEJ newsletter highlights how different countries are managing this extraordinary situation and how artists are responding. Click here for an interesting read.
We will always share the newsletter with you but you can also subscribe here.
YOUTH ARTS ZOOM
In March there was a gathering of over 40 organisations and programmes that work with children and young people around Australia, resulting in the development of a survey to collect data around the impact of COVID-19 on our work and our young people.
Jane Tonkin from Corrugated Iron Youth Arts thanks those who have found time to complete the survey. If you haven’t completed it and can make the time a few more would help build an accurate picture of the sector. Here is the link.
ASSITEJ JAPAN CONGRESS
The 20th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival / MIRAI 2020 has been postponed. In a statement which addresses the current world pandemic, Yvette Hardie, ASSITEJ International President and Katsunari Morita, ASSITEJ Japan Centre President say, “…we will make preparations to share the joy of the arts and culture again.” Read the full statement and see the proposed new dates in March 2021 here.
There were approximately 30 Australian delegates who were scheduled to attend to the congress in May with performances and workshops as part of our Spotlight on Australia event that TNA was hosting at the Australian Embassy. We will keep you informed with any updates about the Congress in 2021.
– Sue Giles
OTHER GOOD STUFF
Congratulations to Director Nadja Kostich and the Ensemble at St Martin’s Youth Theatre for their two wins at the 2020 Online Green Room Awards for Balit Liwurruk: Strong Girl.
Congratulations to Western Edge Youth Arts for their inclusion in the four year funding at Australia Council for the first time.
We’re going on a bear hunt! Such joy can be found locally and globally by participating in what must be the biggest ever bear hunt on the planet. Read about it here and put a plushy in the window for the kids in your local area.
A beautiful collection of activities for kids collated on Facebook by Claudia Chidiac which truly celebrates Australian art and artists: Homebound: Art Acts and Acts of Art for Kids and their Grown-Ups
Some educational activities for the home with Patch Theatre Company.
Ignite Your Imagination with the Arts Centre Melbourne with their resources and top picks for kids and families.
Mooghalin are hosting artists weekly in their Moogah-live platform check it out here with all the family.
Windmill at Home will keep you up to date with Grug’s latest adventures, workouts and give you a virtual (animated) tour of the set of Girl Asleep.
Contribute to a global digital scrapbook with kids with Barking Gecko Theatre and ThinkArts on their project Isolate> Create> Connect.
Stay connected and keep recycling with home-bound joy thanks to Polyglot Theatre at home.
Laughter is the best medicine on The Listies Work For Peanuts on ABC iView and their LOLtastic tour of the Melbourne Museum.
Teachers and students can access ATYP shows On Demand! Find shows for young audiences and 14+ here.
Keep creative by accepting the creative challenges set up by Corrugated Iron.
Opportunities:
29 April: Short Stuff Film Competition: Shopfront Youth Arts. For young people aged 12-24 who live, work, play, or attend school in the Georges River and Sutherland Shire Local Government Area. “What Community Means to Me” is the theme so get going on that school holiday project!
30 April: Apply for up to $2,500 with Carclew Youth Arts’ Rapid Response Grants if you’re a young artist in South Australia.
Workshops have gone online at St Martin’s Youth so enrol here for Term 2.
Workshops have gone online at Shopfront Youth Arts so enrol here for Term 2.
Drama classes have gone online at ATYP so enrol here for Term 2.
Masterclasses are going online at Western Edge Youth Arts 30 April- 21 May so register here.
And something to contemplate:
A stunning letter By Pernille Nederland, author & part of the theatre for young audiences community. “…we, in every age, are people who need to reflect ourselves both in the light of eternity, in the glow of now, and in the future’s laser beam.”