TNA STUFF

Welcoming Steph Speirs as New Program Manager
TNA are pleased to announce that we have appointed Steph (another Steph!) Speirs to the role of Program Manager (Events and Circus and Physical Theatre). Steph is a performance-maker and creative producer, and most recently was Producer of Artform & Industry Development at Circus Oz.

Listen to: Behind the Scenes
Vision Australia’s ‘Behind the Scenes’ radio show with a TNA segment is back. Ilana Russell, Executive Director of Platform Arts Geelong speaks about repositioning from a youth arts organisation to a contemporary and experimental arts organisation. TNA’s Yuhui Ng-Rodriguez updates on TNA’s advocacy leading up to the Federal Election.

17–20 March – Blak & Bright Festival
The First Nations Literary Festival showcases First Nations writers and stories over four days. Congrats to our VIPI participant Monique Grbec, who is the emerging producer for Blak & Bright. Check the full program out now.

Advocacy Messaging: We Need Your Voice!
TNA is a part of an effort with fifteen other national arts peak bodies to create a sector wide message that drives awareness and influence in the lead up to the Federal election.
Everyone is encouraged to join and share the messages. Use the template and add your own images!

Statement about TNA’s Pre-Budget Submission and support for the Australia Council
TNA recently released a statement about our Pre-Budget submission for the 2022-23 Federal Government Budget, and which emphasised TNA’s support for the Australia Council as a key part of the wider arts and cultural infrastructure of our country. 

NATIONAL STUFF

Support Act – Covid-19 Crisis Relief Grants Extended for NSW
Support Act are extending their Covid-19 Crisis Relief Grants in response to the NSW Government’s recent announcement of $5million in Support Act funding. The new grants are available to anyone working professionally in music or live performing arts who is a NSW permanent resident, has expenditure that exceeds their income, is not receiving any other NSW Government benefit and has not received a grant from Support Act in the past three months. $2,000 for individuals, $2,700 for families with dependent children.

3 March – ACCESS Ideas & Insights Quarterly Panel Discussion
Free online discussion hosted by Accessible Arts, with Sydney’s leading performing arts venues discussing Access and Institutional Change. Guest speakers include Janelle Ryan from Sydney Opera House, Joanne Kee from Riverside Theatre, and Justine Shih Pearso from PACT.

4 March – Malthouse Theatre Besen Family Artist Program
Professional development placements for early to mid-career artists across Sound Design and Composition, Set and Costume Design, Lighting Design, Directing, Dramaturgy, Producing. Malthouse will provide: $4,000 stipend; senior artist mentors; leadership development; and additional funding for access needs. Victorian artists are prioritised, and one placement is reserved for an Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander artist.

7 March – Arts Industry Development Funding (NT)
For NT-based organisations. Up to $30,000 to increase the capacity and employment of artists with disability and/or to increase access to the arts for audiences with disability; up to $25,000 to increase the capacity of organisations to ensure continuity through leadership transition and succession planning.

10 March – APAM’s Future of Market Platform Series
Online conversation series exploring the role traditional market ‘moments’ now play in artists’ and companies’ international engagement ambitions. Every three weeks, APAM will focus on a market event. On 10 March: New York, 31 March: Europe, and 21 April: Edinburgh. Registrations are free and essential

11 March – Adelaide Festival: Climate Crisis and the Arts (SA)
Free one-day in-person event that brings together the arts and sciences to discuss the way forward over the next defining decade. Panel discussions on creative responses to the climate crisis, deep dives on divestment, carbon neutrality in practice, and more.

13 March – Blackwrights 2022 EOIs (VIC)
ILBIJERRI Theatre Company’s writers’ development program aims at bringing new First Nations work to Australian stages. Program in three stages: Creators Retreat (participants receive $800 to attend), pitch development workshop series, and up to two projects will be offered an ILBIJERRI commission and development support. The program will take place in person in Naarm, ILBIJERRI does not cover the cost of travel for interstate participants.

21 March – The Mill’s Spotlight/Brand X Residency (SA)
Two-part opportunity for SA performing artists with a second/third stage development of a new performing arts work exploring avant-garde ideas. Spotlight Residency: to develop new or existing work – including $5,000 artist honorarium, $2,000 for two design collaborators, and $500 materials budget. Brand X Residency: to take that work to Sydney for further development, networking, and presentation at Brand X’s The Flying Nun season – $6,000 for travel and fees, per diems, net box office takings, tech stipend, and more.

28 March – New Work for New Markets (TAS)
Funding of up to $30,000 for artists/groups and $50,000 for arts organisations based in TASto research or create new work for new markets. New markets may be regional (local, national or international) or demographic (such as creating work for different age groups or communities).

12 April – Australia Council’s International Engagement Fund
Latest round has opened supporting creative collaboration, presentation and distribution internationally. Grants of $5,000–$15,000 for research, experimentation, development and prototyping; $15,001–$30,000 for action and new models.

Creative Hub – Conflux EOIs
ACMI’s Emporium Creative Hub in Bendigo are planning a large-scale event in September: Conflux. They are currently seeking speakers, artists and performers nation-wide for the two days of conversations, workshops and performances. You can submit a talk-based proposal, or a performance-based proposal. Include your fees/cost in the EOI form.

Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) Resources (UK)
Organisation with specific advocacy to address a lack of provision for parents and carers in the performing arts. Their Covid 2021 Research specifically focuses on the impact of parents and carers working in the performing arts. Their Best Practice Charter sets up guiding principles for all performing arts organisations to support those with caring responsibilities.

‘Exploring how Art can Support us in Life and Death’ Recording
As part of Artlands x Regional Australia’s Series, this conversation explores artistic practice around mortality and dying, and the ways in which communities can support each other through illness, death and grief. The recording is available to watch online.

‘The Big Picture 2: Public Expenditure on Artistic, Cultural and Creative activity in Australia in 2007-08 to 2019-20’
The arts and culture think-tank has released their newest insight report. Findings include that Australia is in the bottom third of OECD nations for government spending on arts and culture. The Conversation has recently rebutted ANA’s figures about the government’s level of Covid-19 support for the sector.  

International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Recordings & Pitch New Works Hong Kong
Recordings from the New York 2022 ISPA Congress is now available to watch online. Sessions include: ‘Opportunities through Policy’, ‘Cross-border Collaboration’, Regional Updates, and ‘Pitch New Works’. Upcoming in May: Hong Kong 2022 ISPA Congress. Submissions to present at ‘Pitch New Works’ is now open and closes 4 March.

VICTORIAN STUFF

3 March – Creative Vic’s Creators Fund
Supports independent creatives to undertake a sustained period of intensive research and development or experimentation of new ideas and concepts. This is not to support full conceptual realisation, but to allow creatives to focus on the initial exploratory stages. Funding: $20,000–$50,000 of up to 6 months of activity.

4 March – LGI Secondment Program EOIs
Offering secondment places during the creation of two new works. Dancer secondments allow dance artists to experience a project from the perspective of a company dancer; Choreographer/Dramaturg/Director secondments allow artists to shadow one of these creative roles as a work is created.

5 March – Platform Arts’ Blackrock Audition Call Out
Seeking actors to perform in adult and teen roles in Blackrock, a full-length play by Nick Enright at Platform Arts. These are paid positions. Performance dates: 23-25 June 2022. Audition on March 5.

5 March – Dancehouse: Green Bee #2
Green Bee is a series of free workshops facilitated by local artists, activists, scientists, environmentalists and community groups, to connect like-minded people to take climate action. #2 features dance artist Rebecca Jensen and Yarra Climate Action Now on advocacy and campaigning. Registration is free.

11 March – Frank Van Straten Research Fellowship, Arts Centre Melbourne
$15,000 stipend to explore, be inspired by, research or create from the Australian Performing Arts Collection. The Fellowship is to be undertaken from July 2022–June 2023. Open to people with interest or expertise in any performing arts discipline or form of expression.

11 March – Chunky Move x WAG Victorian Regional Artist Residency
Open to individual artists or collectives, with demonstrated choreographic research or performance practice, residing in Victoria with a minimum of 3 years professional experience. Residency offers an artist fee of $4,500, $500 materials budget, paid travel and accommodation, technical support and 16 days in-kind studio space.

13 March – YIRRAMBOI Commissions
Calling First Peoples creatives, collectives, community groups and organisations based in Victoria to ‘World Premier’ new works at YIRRAMBOI Festival 2023. Accepting EOIs in any artistic genre.

22 March – Melbourne Jazz First Nations Artist Residency
$5,000 commission for a First Nations musician with a practice in jazz, improvisation or contemporary art music to develop a new work, with creative support and mentoring from Australian Art Orchestra. Up to $5,000 for professional and artistic development opportunities.

Covid-Safe Plan Template
It is mandatory for every Victorian business with on-site operations to have a Covid-Safe Plan. The government has released an updated template to help businesses document: how they will manage a COVID-19 case in the workplace, ensure that workers are fully vaccinated, the steps taken to maintain detailed records and more.

ASSITEJ STUFF – YOUTH ARTS & YOUNG AUDIENCES

PYT Fairfield’s Pilots (NSW)
Offering free drop-in drama classes for people 14–18 during school terms. Get a chance to perform with other creative young people from the area.

10 March – National Gallery of Australia (NGA) – Digital Young Writers Mentorship
Mentorship opportunity for aspiring arts writers 19–25 by some of Australia’s most exciting and respected arts writers. Program includes monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions, mini masterclasses, and the option to have up to two paid pieces of written content published by NGA. $200 honorarium is provided, and a flat fee if written work is published for NGA.

28 March – Regional Scribes EOIs
For regional storytellers and writers 18–24 to come together virtually to meet like-minded peers and to hear from guest speakers across the country. Successful participants receive $500 for professional development and access materials to support their creative practice.

31 March – Blackbird Foundation’s Protostars Grants
$1,000 grants for artists 18–25 to work on passion projects in AU or NZ. At the end of the program, an exhibition will showcase the work, and help artists get further support. Applications will be evaluated on Creativity, Conviction, and Inspiration.

CIRCUS & PHYSICAL THEATRE (CaPT) STUFF

2 March – NICA Artist Residency
TNA are pleased to support NICA’s Artist Residency, supporting independent circus artists with the research, creation, and presentation of new work. The Residency will also link artists directly with presenters, producers, and mentors as part of the program. 

Fruit Fly Circus’ National Training Project
Fruit Fly Circus has announced a new three-year partnership with Circa to present the annual National Training Project, designed specifically for people serious about a career in circus, or a chance for those working in the industry to refine their skills. 27 June–8 July. Registrations open 1 April.

27 March – International Jugglers’ Association (IJA) Festival 2022
Jugglers and circus artists are invited to the 75th Annual IJA Festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA. Dates have been announced: July 11–17. Scholarships are available for individuals to attend at a reduced rate, or donated festival package. Additional funds for travel, lodging, food, may also be covered. Applications for the Scholarship closes 27 March.

INDUSTRY GOSS

• Andrew Abbott has stepped down as CEO at Creative Victoria to spearhead the government’s work on the 2026 Commonwealth Games submission. Claire Febey has taken up the reins as Creative Victoria’s new CEO. Claire’s most recent role was as Associate Deputy Secretary of Tourism and Events. Her previous roles include senior positions at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
• MJ Warfield has been appointed Co-General Manager of Red Hot Arts. MJ was most recently managing the Regional Arts Fund at Regional Arts Australia.
• Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Claire Spencer AM will be departing to take up the role as the inaugural CEO at London’s prestigious Barbican Centre. A global search for Spencer’s replacement will be undertaken soon.
• Kim Jameson has started as Executive Director at The Chamber of Arts and Culture WA.
• After nearly nine years, Devon Taylor is finishing up in their role as Creative Producer at Women*s Circus.
• AJ Lamarque has stepped down as Head of Marketing & Associate Producer at Griffin Theatre.
• Elaine Chia has been appointed CEO of the new cultural precinct project in Melbourne. Elaine was most recently Executive Director at the Adelaide Festival.
• Richard Mills AM will be stepping down as the Artistic Director of Victorian Opera at the conclusion of the company’s 2023 season. Victorian Opera will commence an extensive search for a new Artistic Director in 2023.
• Robert Young and John Marc Desengano have been appointed Co-Artistic Directors at Western Edge Youth Arts.

POSITIONS VACANT

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