Hi all, 

Steph here jumping back into bulletin mode as the CaPT team goes through a season of change.

Huge congrats to Charice Rust, who wrapped up the CaPT Independent Producers Initiative and is now taking a well-deserved break. And we bid the fondest of farewells to Christy Flaws, who finished up her role with TNA earlier this month to spend more time with her family. Everyone at TNA will miss Christy’s kind and generous presence on the CaPT team.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with the First Nations Circle for the CaPT sector over the Winter Solstice weekend. Shortly after that I joined TNA’s new CaPT Advisory Committee for their second meeting. Both of these gatherings filled me with energy and optimism. Although many people are going through hard times at the moment, I was reminded of the CaPT sector’s incredible capacity for kindness, generosity and resourcefulness; and of the community’s deep passion for this work. 

If you are doing it tough right now, please reach out – to TNA and/or to each other. And don’t forget to make use of the resources and supports that are available to the live performance sector (see bottom of this email for a list of handy resources).

Warmly,  
Steph Speirs and the TNA Team

TNA News and Opportunities

TNA Indie Survey on Working Trends and Fee Benchmarking (Paid)
We want independent artists and creatives in the performing arts to fill out a survey about working trends and fees, and I’d love to see lots of CaPT indies represented! The survey builds on longitudinal data collected in 2018, 2020 and 2022, to support TNA’s ongoing advocacy and help indies with fee benchmarking. The first 250 respondents receive $50 to participate. If you have access requirements, contact yuhui@tna.org.au or (03) 9947 1015.

28 Jul – Directors in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) International Exchange EOIs
TNA is the Australian national centre for ASSITEJ. We will be selecting one director to attend the International Directors’ Seminar in Germany in 2025 through an EOI process. The program is open to directors working in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences in all forms of performing arts. The theme for 2025 is ‘Reassembling the world: Intergenerational and international alliances in TYA’.

1 Oct – Save The Date – Northern Rivers Dance & Physical Theatre Gathering (NSW))
TNA and Arts Northern Rivers (ANR) are hosting a gathering for the Dance & Physical Theatre community in the NSW Northern Rivers region (alongside the National Circus Festival). It will be an opportunity for local practitioners to connect and share, as well as hear insights from recent reports on the national and local independent dance sectors. Stay tuned for more details. 1 Oct, 1:30pm–4:00pm. Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby.

Australian First Nations Circle Update
TNA’s First Nations CaPT Circle gathered on Wurundjeri land over a weekend in June. They came together to work on an Action Plan and Best Practice Guide. Enjoy the Circle’s photo updates on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Thanks also to those who completed our recent survey on collaborating with First Peoples in CaPT spaces.

Tax Time! Tips for Indies in the Performing Arts
The Australian Tax Office has put together a comprehensive guide for individuals in the performing arts. TNA has outlined some of their tips, including the sorts of things that count as a tax-deductible expense.

Youth Circus Advocacy Update – QLD FairPlay Vouchers
Recently, TNA was able to assist Circa to successfully register as a provider with the Queensland Government’s FairPlay Vouchers Program. The program allows parents to apply for vouchers that they can use towards sport and recreation activities, including circus skills. We’re thrilled that more kids in QLD will now have access to participating in circus, hooray!

General News and Opportunities

Victoria

ASAP – Performing Lines Seeking CaPT Producer 
Performing Lines is seeking EOIs for a CaPT Producer/s to plan and deliver a Victorian CaPT residency program and to support a number of artists and/or small circus and physical theatre companies in the state. Interviews on a rolling basis, so apply as soon as you can!

31 Jul – Yarra Arts Fellowship 2025
$10,000 grant to help an artist focus on their practice. Open to individual artists who have a studio or practice in Yarra.

1 Aug – Touring Victoria Funding
Funding is available to support tours to or from regional and outer-metropolitan Victoria.

19 Aug – ‘Presenting Circus and Physical Theatre’ Forum at APAX (Free)
This pre-APAX gathering welcomes practitioners, companies and presenters from the CaPT sector an afternoon of provocations, panel discussions, and roundtable sessions. APAX registration is not required to attend this event. Limited places, register by 8 August. 19 Aug, 3-6pm @ Malthouse Theatre.

26–29 Sep – Melbourne Juggling Convention
Workshops and networking for jugglers. Tiered registration starting from $40, the Early Bird 4-day pass costs $140. The workshop schedule will be announced soon.

Ongoing – NICA’s Artist Residency Program
Free space for independent circus artists and groups to undertake creative development. Space is offered for two consecutive weeks: Mondays to Fridays, between 10am-4pm.

Ongoing – Women’s Circus: ‘Space Connect’ Program and Inclusive Ensemble 
Women’s Circus is offering free rehearsal space. They have also started an Inclusive Ensemble, an eclectic team of disabled and non-disabled artists working in circus, dance, theatre, drag and magic. Disabled circus artists interested in joining can get in touch.

Ongoing – MILKE Producer Lab Workshops
MILKE producer lab is a year-round mentoring and workshop program for independent producers. It includes a free monthly producer check-in session. Next workshop Wed 24 July.

Ongoing – Melbourne Cabaret Festival EOIs
The festival has changed its model to be a series of showcases that sometimes align with other festivals. They have shifted away from a single annual two-week event. Submissions are open for ongoing EOIs.

National

6 Aug – Creative Australia Funding Application Deadlines

• Apply to join the pool of Peer Assessors
  Gain valuable insights and represent the CaPT sector by applying for a three year term as a peer assessor. Peer assessors make funding recommendations, assess grants, and provide expertise. Positions are paid. Access and childcare support is available.

“I felt unsure when I first participated in reviewing…but we need artists’ voices in these places, especially practicing artists. I encourage you to put your name forward or give an encouraging word to someone you would like to see in the mix.” 

– Chelsea McGuffin (former Creative Australia peer assessor)

• Applications for MATCH Lab & Plus1 Matched Funding
  Applications are now open for two programs that pledge dollar-for-dollar matched funding of monies raised through a nominated fundraising campaign.  MATCH Lab is for independent artists and collectives, and Plus1 supports small-to-medium not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations.
   
• EOIs for Creative Futures Fund (works of scale)
  The Creative Futures Fund supports artistic works of scale that build partnerships, drive engagement, and attract other sources of revenue and investment. The fund will only support stories that are uniquely Australian, and they are seeking great ideas that are genuinely innovative and unexpected. There are two streams: Development & Delivery.

25 Jul – Free Webinar on ‘Multi-Hat Marketing’
Creative Plus Business are hosting a free webinar this Thursday at 6pm, with marketing tips for arts practitioners and creative freelancers who wear multiple professional hats.

26 Jul – Flying Fruit Fly Circus seeking Aerial & Acrobatic Trainers
Positions are available for experienced practitioners passionate about working with young people.

25 Aug – Sidney Myer and Ian Potter Trust Creative Fellowships Nominations
Grants of $200,000 over two years awarded to individual Australian artists, creatives and cultural leaders. The criteria are ‘outstanding talent’ and ‘exceptional courage’. Applicants cannot self-nominate. (Circus practitioner Freyja Wilde was among the 2023 recipients.)

29 Sep-3 Oct – National Circus Festival Early Bird Tickets On Sale
Tickets for the five-day National Training Program for professional and emerging circus artists are now on sale at a discounted early bird price. This valuable industry event features workshops with world-class trainers during the week followed by a three-day circus festival.

Flying Fruit Fly Circus: Open Training (ongoing)
Provides a safe training space for Fruit Fly students, staff, graduates and other circus professionals.

APAC & Spinfest 2025 dates announced
There will be a pre-convention for the first time, which includes 5 extra days of training with a smaller group. Pre-convention: 3-9 Jan. APAC: 10-15 Jan. Spin Circus Festival: 16-20 Jan. More details coming soon on Spin Circus socials, with tickets onsale from September.

International

DFAT Australia Pavilion Expo 2025 Osaka EOIs
The Department of Foreign Affairs seeks EOIs from individuals and organisations interested in participating in the Australia Pavilion cultural program at Expo 2025 Osaka. The cultural program will feature Australian creative activities and performances. Conducted in and around the Australian pavilion for the Japanese public.

Circus Talk rebranded to Stage Lync 
StageLync is a new platform offering access and connection to live performing arts for all artforms. You can view circus-specific news and opportunities under the Circus tab.

Stage Lync Articles featuring Steph Cox and Georgia Deguara 
Read How to Function in a Feminist Way with Steph Cox (Women’s Circus) and YUCK Circus Pairs Subliminal Normalization with Bold, Frank Fun! with Georgia Deguara (YUCK Circus & TNA’s CaPT Advisory Committee).

Worldwide: International Circus Jobs
Jump on the Stage Lync jobs board for open jobs and callouts from around the world.

 

A roll call of congratulations to individuals, companies and organisations who have had good news. 

• NICA has announced an exciting new partnership with the Australian College of the Arts (Collarts), as part of an agreement that secures the future of circus arts in Australia. Congratulations to those who worked tirelessly to negotiate this transition.
   
• Shout out to Street Performance Australia (SPA), whose invaluable advocacy work made it possible for over $7,000 in honorariums to be paid to buskers in Adelaide for MallFest and Fringe Vibes on Hutt.
   
• Recipients of the final round of Creative Australia’s Victorian CaPT funding have been announced:
  • Organisations: Born in a Taxi, Circus Nexus, Circus Trick Tease, Na Djinang Circus, One Fell Swoop Circus, Women’s Circus
  • Projects: Christy Flaws (for Asking for Trouble), Clare Bartholomew, Karina Schiller (for Statera Circus), Kate Fryer, Lilikoi Kaos, Mitch Jones, Themme Fatale (for Le Freak)
     
• In our roundup of Fringe awards in the last CaPT Bulletin, we missed recognising B.L.I.P.S by Margot Mansfield, which won the Edinburgh Fringe Award at Adelaide Fringe this year. Congrats Margot!
   

Support & Resources 

Support Act offers 12 free counselling sessions for people working across the arts, with dedicated helplines for First Nations, LGBTIQ+, sexual harassment/abuse, and arts managers. Access support for work and non-work issues, including specialised financial counselling. They are also teaming up with Creative Workplaces to offer a free wellbeing webinar next Tuesday 30 July.

TNA’s CaPT Resources include guides on Parenting in Circus, Contracts in Circus and Grants & Fundraising; CaPT-specific databases of companies, schools, producers & policies; and a compilation of CaPT-specific resources from across the world.

Auspicious Arts offers excellent resources including an arts funding calendar and useful tools and templates for finance and business in the arts.

TNA’s Resources has links to information and resources on Advocacy; Access & Equity; Sustainability; Fees, Rates & Working Conditions; Governance & Board; and Insurance.