TNA STUFF
11 May – Facilitating Conflict Within Working Relationships VIPI Salon
Our first salon for the year is a FREE in-person workshop, led and facilitated by Kate Sulan, on facilitating and dealing with conflict. Thursday May 25, 11:00am–1.30pm AEST. Register your EOI before 11 May. There are very limited spots available, so a reminder that this is for VIC indie performing arts producers.
14 May – APAF: Deadline Extended for Indie Delegates EOIs (NT, ACT, QLD, NSW & VIC)
EOIs for indie delegates to attend our Australian Performing Arts Forum (APAF) have been reopened for some states until 14 May. This is an opportunity for independents across the country to attend a national gathering for practitioners, producers and cultural provocateurs in theatre, circus, dance, hybrid and interdisciplinary work.
Equity Action Plan (EQAP) Update & TNA Annual Report 2022
This year, TNA’s new EQAP Board Subcommittee completed a major review of our short- and long-term goals, reflecting on what we had achieved and where we still have work to do. Our 2022 Annual Report is also available to read now, in preparation for our AGM this Friday 5 May. You still have time to register.
Welcome Emily Coleman!
We’re thrilled to welcome Emily Coleman to the TNA team, who will be working as Associate Producer for our Australian Performing Arts Forum (APAF) in Brisbane in 13–15 September. Emily will be working alongside curator Sanja Simić to deliver our national gathering.
NATIONAL STUFF
3 May – Creative Australia First Nations Briefing – Open to All
Australia Council is holding a special webinar briefing to discuss their transformation into Creative Australia and the establishment of a dedicated First Nations-led Board.
3–23 May – Regional Creatives Wellbeing Program
A program of mental health, wellness support, and education for regional creatives. 3 May: free 20-minute webinars on Mental Health Vs. Illness; 8 May: Creative Workplace Wellbeing, and Building Resilience Workshops; 22 & 23 May: Mental Health First Aid.
7 May – Dancehouse 2024 Season Call Out
Australian independent dance artists can propose projects for Dancehouse seasons, which are clusters of presentations (productions, exhibitions, talks). An all-inclusive presentation fee based on expected box office is provided.
7 May – Melbourne Fringe x Dancehouse 2023
For new or existing live dance projects to be presented in October for a four-night season during the Melbourne Fringe. Selected projects receive an upfront fee of up to $1,000, door split on net box office over $2,500, allocated rehearsal time, and more. Interstate and overseas artists will need to address touring logistics.
9 May – The ArtsPay Foundation’s Grant
Pilot grant round for ArtsPay to understand how they can support independent artists across AU. $5,000 for artists, $10,000 for small arts orgs.
9 May – Desert Festival EOIs (NT)
For artists and performers to present at Desert Festival in Alice Springs. Red Hot Arts Central will pay a flat fee per artist/showing and will decide ticket pricing.
10 May – Qantas Regional Grants
For individuals, community groups and orgs of any size to help enhance the lives of people in regional communities. A previous recipient was Ten Days on the Island.
10 May – AMP Foundation Tomorrow Makers Program
Fully subsidised 20-week program and a grant of up to $20,000 to help social entrepreneurs grow their ideas and create positive social change. Participants also receive support from industry mentors.
11 May – Free Professional Development Workshops Eastern Riverina Arts (NSW)
Milk Crate Theatre is hosting a day of free community workshops, on The Power of Inclusive Performance Making and Embodiment and Play.
12 May – InReview x Arts South Australia First Nations Mentorships
Connects experienced First Nations arts writers with emerging art critics to strengthen the coverage of arts and culture in South Australia. Mentees are paid $2,500.
22 May – Vitalstatistix Adhocracy 2023 EOIs
Vitalstatistix’s annual national hothouse, supporting the creative development of arts projects. Selected projects receive $3,000–$5,000, towards artist fees, transport, and accommodation costs (for artists outside SA). A two-week residency at Hart’s Mill is also on offer to a SA-led creative team.
22 May – Chamber Made Orange House by the Sea Residency 2023
Three weeks accommodation on the Bellarine Peninsula VIC, $3,000 artist fee, and access to an industry mentor for mid-career women, gender-diverse and non-binary artists working at the intersections of performance, sound, and music.
4 June – Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2025 Entries
$30,000 cash prize and a $16,000 commission for a playwright to develop their play throughout 2025, and a world premiere production of their play as part of an upcoming Queensland Theatre Season.
23 July – CEW Not-For-Profit Scholarship
$25,000 scholarship for women leaders in the NFP sector to undertake a course that will build their leadership capabilities (and a travel allowance if required).
7–18 June – APAM Gathering at RISING
Performing artists, producers and presenters are invited to a program of performance, networking, and dialogue. Digital Gathering: 7–9 June; in-person Gathering: 14–18 June, Melbourne. Tiered prices from $287.
26 June – Annie Greig Dance Scholarship (TAS)
For Tasmanian dancers aged 17–26 to travel nationally or internationally (for a combined period of at least three months) to undertake professional development, such as dancing full-time with a professional dance company or studying dance full-time at a dance education institution.
PAC’s Australian National Touring Charter
PAC has released the Australian National Touring Charter, developed in consultation with independents and industry bodies, to represent a new set of standards for all stakeholders involved in performing arts touring across AU.
ISPA’s ‘International Touring/ Co-Production in a Changed World’
The article features International Society of Performing Arts members, such as BaoBao Chen from Small Island Big Song and Paul Clay from Factory International on the new challenges touring companies are facing and what a return to touring might look like.
Arts Access Australia Update
Due to the challenging financial position of Arts Access Australia, the Board is now considering the company’s future. Their annual AGM is scheduled for 26 May.
VICTORIAN STUFF
8 May – 100 Story Building Artist Call Out
Paid opportunity for an artist to co-design a Story Hub with children and young people in schools. Story Hub is 100 Story Building’s school and community program.
10 May – YIRRAMBOI x Arts House: Offering Invitation Workshop
An experiential movement workshop, sharing Indigenous cultural perspectives, contemporary dance and performance art approaches from Turtle Island, facilitated by Jeanette Kotowich and Lara Kramer. Cost: $10.
13 May – HOTBED Workshop: NoCap MoCap w/ Harrison Hall & Sam Mcgilp
For people interested in extending their dance practice into digital space and forms. Harrison Hall and Sam Mcgilp will focus on choreographic processes used in creating their live performance x digital hybrid experiences. Cost: $40.
20 May – Sustainable Theatres Australia Forum at Theatre Works
For the indie theatre community to come together and reflect on how to make our theatre a sustainable practice. Part of the event will be taking artists through the resource kit STA have created to start considering sustainable practice.
20 May – Rawcus x Western Edge REMIX Workshop
Free inclusive, participatory workshop offering an insight into the shared creative practice of two renowned theatre companies, for anyone interested in inclusive theatre practice. Participation is via EOI process.
21 May – Western Artists Mentorship Program
For First Nations, CaLD, d/Deaf or disabled independent artists to work one-on-one with a mentor on a project of their choice. Up to $5,000 for artist, $2,500 for the mentor, and in-kind access to Bluestone Church Arts Space.
21 May – First Nations Creators Program
Up to $10,000 for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist based in Melbourne’s West to lead the creation of a new work to be presented in Maribyrnong. In-kind access to Bluestone Church Arts Space and technical support provided.
21 May – Small Gems
Supports new performing arts work to be staged in small to medium sized venues, including Gasworks, Kingston Arts, Clocktower Centre, and Geelong Arts Centre; up to $1,000–$3,000 artist fees are available per performance.
28 May – RAV’s 2024 Halls Touring EOIs
For an artist or company with a smaller-scale work interested in touring across regional Victoria. RAV will coordinate a viable tour for selected work by on-selling the production to their network of community presenters.
5 June – Southside 2024 EOIs
Up to $25,000 for a large-scale community event, or locally grown content event as part of Southside Festival. There is an informal open session to ask questions to staff on 8 May. EOIs for $5,000 commissions will be open later in the year.
13 June – City of Melbourne Arts Grants 2024
Up to $20,000 for project development.
ASSITEJ STUFF – Youth Arts & Young Audiences
5 May – ‘Together: Access & Inclusion’ Free Online Training
Run by Youth Disability Advocacy Service for orgs and individuals who want to make their work more accessible and inclusive for disabled young people. There are sessions also in June.
5 July – Carclew 2024 Fellowships
Up to $10,000 for artists and arts workers under 26 for activities that builds their arts careers, develops skills, and more. There are consultations available with staff in the lead up to the deadline.
CIRCUS AND PHYSICAL THEATRE (CAPT) STUFF
14 May – Vulcana Women’s Circus AGM (QLD)
Vulcana Women’s Circus has announced their AGM will take place at Vulcana Studio. Open to the public, however, only members can nominate or vote.3 May – The Utopians Call for Projects/Artists
The Utopians, a working group of the International Contemporary Circus Market (MICC) in Canada supports artists and companies at the earliest stage of a new work in contemporary circus. Selected artists/projects receive $500CAN, mentorship, and visibility at the MICC Market. EOIs close 2 May Montreal time (3 May AEST).
31 May – Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ National Training Project Registrations
Two-week winter training intensive in 26 June–7 July for multiple circus disciplines. The 2023 program includes: Manipulation with Byron Hutton, Handstands with Alex Mizzen, Tissu with Dan Power, Hula Hoops with Yos Worth and more. $1,300 or $710 for one week only.
VALE EFTERPI SOROPOS
‘She was generous to a fault and generated love in abundance. She made a material difference to people’s lives, and she did it with grace, warmth, intelligence, and kindness.’ Jennifer Barry’s tribute to friend and artist Efterpi Soropos. Efterpi’s inter-sectorial work, across arts and health, was critically acclaimed, won awards, and was the subject of academic research. Vale Effe.
INDUSTRY GOSS
- Pippa Dickson is stepping down as Director of Asialink Arts.
- Mimi Crowe has been appointed the new CEO at Carclew.
- Bec Cole has been appointed the new Co-CEO/Executive Director at Footscray Community Arts, who will be working alongside current Co-CEO/Artistic Director, Daniel Santangeli.
- Next Wave has welcomed Vivian Cooper as General Manager and Frances Robinson as Lead Program Producer, with Nisha Madhan joining as Lead Creative Producer.
- Alex Walker, Genevieve Pikó and Audrey Thomas-Hayes have been appointed Artistic Directors at Blindside.
- Chris Twite has been appointed the new Artistic Director at Dark Mofo. He will present his first Dark Mofo in 2024.
- Peter Docker has been appointed the new Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager at Yirra Yaakin.
- Firstdraft has appointed Caity Reynolds as General Manager.
- Robbi James has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer and Director of Critical Stages Touring.
- Xavier O’Shannessy has been appointed the new producer at Terrapin Puppet Theatre. Xavier will stay on part-time at Bureau of Works until June.
- Caitlin Dullard has been appointed CEO/Artistic Director at La Mama Theatre. Former Artistic Director Dr. Liz Jones AO will continue to play an important part at La Mama, advising on scripts and working on a project to rebuild the stories that were destroyed in the 2018 fire.
- Roxane Eden has stepped down as Executive Director at La Boite, to take up a new role in RBWH Foundation.
- Cassie Magin has been appointed the new Executive Director/Co-CEO at Vitalstatistix. The new role establishes a dual-leadership model alongside longstanding Artistic Director/Co-CEO Emma Webb OAM. Vitalstatistix also welcomes Amber Forbes as the new Venue and Production Manager in the company.
- Giuliana Bonel has been appointed the incoming General Manager at Empire Theatres. Bonel is currently Marketing, Commercial and Experience Director at Brisbane Powerhouse.
- Sophie Travers has been appointed a new role as CEO/Director of Australian Tapestry Workshop. Sophie will be stepping down as Chief Executive Officer at Collingwood Yards.
- Fiona Symonds has stepped down as General Manager at Red Stitch.
- Tish Naughton has been appointed the new CEO of Adelaide’s Feast Festival.
- Arts NT welcomes Michaela Nutt as the new Arts Development and Programs Manager, and Kita Taylor as Arts Development Officer to the team.
- Arts on Tour has appointed Maeve Marsden to produce this year’s Salon and work on their Backroads Initiative.
POSITIONS VACANT
Chief Executive/Artistic Director, Castlemaine State Festival (VIC). Apply now.
Program Manager, Flipside Circus (QLD). Apply now.
Executive Director, Co3 (WA). Apply by 3 May.
Data Analyst, Melbourne Theatre Company (VIC). Apply by 3 May.
Executive Director, The Blue Room Theatre (WA). Apply by 3 May. (Scroll to the bottom and click on ‘Jobs’)
Deputy Stage Manager (Contract), Sydney Theatre Company (NSW). Apply by 5 May.
Head of Public Programs & Engagement, Sydney Theatre Company (NSW). Apply by 5 May.
Marketing and Communications Manager, Abbotsford Convent (VIC). Apply by 8 May.
Creative Learning & Participation Coordinator, Theatre Royal (TAS). Apply by 8 May.
First Nations Creative Producer, Blacktown City Council (NSW). Apply by 12 May.
Manager, Making Change, RAV (VIC). Apply by 14 May.
Music and Performance Programmer, Brunswick Music Festival and Coburg Night Market, Merri-bek City Council (VIC). Apply by 14 May.
Director, The Pavilion (NSW). Apply by 19 May.
CEO, The Wheeler Centre (VIC). Apply by 26 May.
Associate Producer, Dead Puppet Society (QLD). Apply by 28 May.
Board of Directors (Voluntary), Philip Adams BalletLab & Temperance Hall (VIC). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.