News & MediaTNA STUFF
Indie Report 2024
Read TNA’s biennial report on the working trends of independent artists in Australia’s performing arts. Learn what the going rates are, and considerations when setting fees. Delve into the data on difficult topics such as finances, insurance, superannuation and mental health.
NATIONAL STUFF
Support Act’s Wellbeing Helpline
Support Act offers a free phone counselling service for people in the creative industries. You can receive 12 free counselling sessions from an experienced counsellor.
7 Nov – Accessible Arts’ Access Riders for Organisations
Online workshop for orgs. Learn to create inclusive workplaces and remove access barriers. $106 per person.
8 Nov – Art Explora Cité Internationale des Arts Residencies (France)
6-month residency for artists and 3-month residency for collectives in Paris. To develop a project that addresses contemporary issues. Including: new technologies, links between art and science, the environment, and politics. Successful applicants get 1,000 EUR/month, a 3,000 EUR grant, and travel expenses. They also receive accommodation.
11 Nov – Bursaries to attend Arts NT Meeting of Arts Professionals
Arts NT is holding a two-day arts and culture event on 19–20 Nov. Funding is available for NT residents to attend.
11 Nov – Sydney Dance Company’s INDance 2025 EOIs
For a dance artist or choreographer to present stage-ready work. Sydney Dance Company will provide the venue and pay a presentation fee.
12 Nov – Createch: Digital Enterprise Program
$5,000 funding and coaching to scale a digital innovation project. Innovations may come from technology. Or innovations offering new or improved digital access to culture.
12 Nov – Varuna Writer’s Space Fellowships 2025
Offers D/deaf or disabled playwrights two-week residencies at Varuna in NSW. Meals, accommodation, and travel expenses provided.
12 Nov – ‘Audience Diversification in the Arts’ Webinar
Creative Australia is holding a webinar for their report. Hear from orgs and practitioners who are experimenting with ways to gain new and diverse audiences.
14 Nov – The Ethics Centre’s ‘Ethics at Work’ Workshop (NSW)
A two-hour, in-person workshop on finding an ethical job or being ethical in your current job. Cost: $49.
14 Nov – Griffin Studio 2025 EOIs
One-year residency for emerging playwrights in Greater Sydney to develop a new play. Participants receive financial support and undertake workshops on playwriting and theatremaking.
15 Nov – Community Arts Network Making Time (WA)
A day to collaborate in the arts and community development sector in Perth. Includes workshops and networking. Tiered registration starting from $35.
17 Nov – Centro Coreográfico Canal Residencies 2025 in Dance and Movement Arts (Spain)
Residencies in Madrid for artists and orgs in dance and movement. To create or research new choreographic work. Up to two months for creation residencies, and 10,000 EUR provided. Up to one month for research residencies, and 2,500 EUR provided.
18 Nov – Eastern Riverina Arts Creative Commissions (Regional NSW)
$1,500 for artists to develop original creative work at Eastern Riverina Arts.
20 Nov – Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025 Registrations
Open for artists to present in Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025. The cost of registrations start from $375.
21 Nov – Performing Lines Tasmania Sector Day
Performing Lines’ state-wide arts and cultural gathering. Presenters include Patrick McCarthy (Creative Australia), Steve Mayhew (Theatre Royal) and Arts Tasmania. $25 for indies, $50 for orgs. Register by 10 Nov.
21 Nov – REMIX Summit Perth (WA)
One in a series of international summits on the future of the creative industries, cities, and the creative economy. The summit will focus on trends shaping the future of the creative economy in WA. Cost: $375.
22 Nov – First Nations International Fellowships and Partnerships Grants
$20,000–$80,000 for First Nations orgs to build partnerships across the Indo-Pacific on issues of shared interest. There is a focus on reconciliation and truth telling, economic empowerment, climate change and environmental management.
24 Nov – Force Majeure Consent and Boundaries Workshop (NSW)
Workshop for artists on navigating consent, boundaries and intimacy in theatre-making. Cost: $169.
29 Nov – Arts NT Creative Fellowships and Arts Residencies
Funding for NT artists to undertake professional development, research, or knowledge exchange. Up to $20,000 per for early and mid-career artists, and up to $40,000 for established artists.
29 Nov – ActNow Theatre 2025 Cultural Leaders Program (SA)
For early-career First Nations, PoC, LGBTQIA+ and Disabled artists, community arts practitioners and arts workers to develop cultural leadership skills. Includes mentoring, a four-day intensive, group sessions, and $1,260 stipend for participating.
2 Dec – Create NSW Arts and Cultural Funding (NSW)
Next Steps Professional Development offers up to $10,000 for artists and arts workers to undertake professional and/or skills development opportunities. Creative Steps New Work offers up to $100,000 to support the creative development and presentation of new work. Cultural Access offers up to $100,000 for work that strengthens communities through equitable access to arts and cultural experiences. Creative Nations offers up to $100,000 to strengthen First Nations artists, orgs and communities. 4-Year Multi-year Funding provides up to $600,000 per year for orgs to deliver on a priority area.
3 Dec – Creative Australia The Art and Science of Fundraising 2025
Eight-month leadership program on the principles and skills of philanthropic fundraising. For small-to-mid sized arts orgs. The program requires the organisation’s Board Chair, CEO/Executive Director, and lead fundraiser to form a working group of three. There is an info session on 7 Nov.
7 Dec – Teatri Riflessi International Short Performance Competition 2025 (Italy)
For live works no longer than 15 minutes with the theme ‘contact’. Semi-finalists receive 500 EUR and a small reimbursement for travel expenses. Winners receive prize money, artist residencies and touring opportunities.
APAX 2025 in Darwin
The dates for APAX 2025 have been announced. APAX 2025 will be hosted in Darwin, coinciding with Darwin Festival, from 11–15 August.
Darwin Fringe Festival 2025
Applications are open to present at Darwin Fringe, from 11–20 July. Cost of registration: $100–$150, but you can apply for a waived fee.
VICTORIAN STUFF
7 Nov – Dancehouse Compositions Commission 2025 EOIs
A sound and movement commission for resident Victorian artists. It supports a collaboration between a sound artist and a choreographer. They will create new sonic and choreographic work. $5,000 for each collaborator, a $3,000 project budget, and in-kind space.
10 Nov – Malthouse Artist Development Program
Paid placements and workshops in: Sound Design and Composition, Set and Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Directing. Artists receive a stipend of $4,500 for approximately six weeks of full-time work.
10 Nov – Malthouse Writing and Dramaturgy Program
Year-long program for storytellers to develop their writing and dramaturgical skills. There is one dramaturg placement, and three writing placements. The selected dramaturg receives $4,500, the three writers receive $1,500 each.
13 Nov – Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine 2025 Artist Intensive
A three-day intensive for performance artists to develop a creative concept. Includes workshops, mentoring, and networking. Artists are paid $500, with accommodation provided.
13 Nov – Now or Never 2025 Open Call
For performance, talks, and ideas to be presented at the festival. Up to $50,000 provided, with production and marketing support. The theme for 2025 is ‘I Have Seen the Future.’
15 Nov – Melbourne Theatre Company’s MinterEllison Future Directors Initiative
Professional development for Melbourne-based early to mid-career theatre directors. Paid positions as Assistant Directors for selected productions in 2025.
17 Nov–1 Dec – Sharing in First Peoples’ Culture and History Workshops
Free workshop series on Aboriginal history and culture. Presented by Darebin Intercultural Centre.
18 Nov – LGI’s Make a Start Residency Program 2025 EOIs
Up to 2 weeks in-studio residencies. For dance artists to explore new ideas or start early-stage work. Residencies take place at WXYZ Studios between Jan–Aug 2025.
19 Nov – Maribyrnong City Council Creative Places EOIs
Offering shop fronts for community engaged activities. Or free co-working office spaces in Footscray.
25 Nov – City of Melbourne Test Sites Program EOIs
$10,000–$20,000 for Victorian artists to test temporary public art ideas. There is an online info session on 7 Nov.
27 Nov – Creative Self Care by Arts Wellbeing Collective
Workshop on the basics of looking after yourself as a creative worker and how to overcome industry-specific hurdles. Cost: $90–$110.
28–30 Nov – Dancehouse’s Dance (Lens) Mini Workshops
Workshops on screendance for dance and film artists. There is a masterclass with Sue Healey, a workshop on rhythm with Siobhan Murphy, and editing with Cobie Orger. $45 per workshop.
Kingston Arts Performing Arts Development Program
$5,000 and in-kind venue hire for the creation, development, and presentation of new work. Artists can also use the funding for research, engagement, or skills development. Rolling program, applications reviewed on the 14th of every month.
ASSITEJ STUFF (Youth Arts & Young Audiences)
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.
17 Nov – 2025 Youth Advisory Groups EOIs
Youth Advisory Groups work with the Australian Government. They look at the development of policies or programs that matter to young people. Applications are open for 16–24-year-olds to join. The Creative Industries Youth Advisory Group will work on key aspects of the National Cultural Policy.
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.
CAPT STUFF (CIRCUS AND PHYSICAL THEATRE)
14 Nov – Showcase Victoria ‘Understanding Community Engaged Practice’ Webinar
Webinar for CaPT artists and presenters. On community engaged practice, and the relationship between artists, venues and communities.
1 Dec – Spinfest 2025 Scholarship
The scholarship covers a full pass to Spinfest, meals, and a dorm bed/camping pass. For a community leader, a youth in circus, or someone facing difficulty. Spinfest is on 11–15 Jan 2025, in Camp Coorimungle VIC.
15 Dec – ‘Winter Circus’ 2025–26 Open Call
Seeking international circus artists to perform in ‘Winter Circus’. This is a show produced by Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth, in Helsinki, Finland.
Creative Australia Scan of the Circus and Physical Theatre Sector in Victoria
Creative Australia has released a report. It looks at the gaps, needs, and opportunities of CaPT in Victoria.
TNA IS EXPLORING
We continue to look at resources that explore the world outside of performing arts. This month, we’re looking at Country.
- Read: The Blackfoot Wisdom that Inspired Maslow’s Hierarchy, by Teju Ravilochan on resilience.
- Watch: A healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow with Kate Raworth on TED.
- Listen: Hoodie Economics, an alternative economics values system embracing Indigenous thinking and other philosophies, with Jack Manning Bancroft on NITV Radio.
- Learn: Regenerative Economy, by John Fullerton on Recipes for Wellbeing.
INDUSTRY GOSS
- After 18 years at the helm, Rachael Maza is leaving ILBIJERRI.
- At Next Wave, Jamie Lewis will not be returning to Next Wave as CEO/Director, following a period of parental leave. Acting CEO/Director Jacina Leong is finishing in the interim role in December. Next Wave is seeking a new CEO.
- Bec Dundas is stepping down as Artistic Director at DRILL.
- Lisa Freshwater has been appointed Executive Producer at Canberra Theatre.
- Marisa Cesario is stepping down as Programming Coordinator at Gasworks Arts Park to take up the role of Performing Arts Programming Lead at Bunjil Place.
- Rosie Dennis has stepped down as Executive Director at BLEACH* and Big City Lights Festivals.
- Claire Hammond has stepped down as Deputy Festival Director at Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
- Kane Forbes has been appointed Creative Producer at Bunjil Place.
- Tom Mullane is the new Creative Coordinator for Youth Week WA KickstART Festival 2025.
- Sean Jameson has been appointed Director People and Culture at Arts Centre Melbourne commencing next month.
- Simone Schinkel is stepping down as CEO at Music Victoria.
- A huge congratulations to the 2024 Creative Australia Fellowships recipients: Hoda Afshar, Nina Agzarian, Troy Brady, Michael Candy, Ben Graetz, Candice Lloyd, Ellen van Neerven, Roslyn Oades, Nick Power, and Nathan Stoneham. The Fellowships will support the outstanding work of our established artists and arts workers for a period of one to two years.
- Jonathan ‘Jonni’ Homsey and Remi Roehrs have been appointed Associate Producers at Asia TOPA.
Board members, Circus Nexus (VIC). Apply now.
CEO, Next Wave (VIC). Apply by 7 Nov.
Marketing and Development Manager, Lucy Guerin Inc (VIC). Apply by 8 Nov.
Executive Officer, Arena Theatre Company (VIC). Apply by 8 Nov.
Community Engagement Manager, Midsumma Festival (VIC). Apply by 8 Nov.
Senior Producer, ILBIJERRI (VIC). Apply by 11 Nov.
First Nations Communications and Engagement Officer, Creative Australia (NSW). Apply by 11 Nov.
Artistic Director, Stompin (TAS). Apply by 11 Nov.
Production Coordinator, Performing Lines (NSW or VIC). Apply by 16 Nov.
Production Coordinator, Performing Lines (WA). Apply by 17 Nov.
Producer, Events and Engagement, Creative Australia (NSW). Apply by 17 Nov.
Manager, Creative Future Funds, Creative Australia (NSW or VIC). Apply by 17 Nov.
Artists, Carclew (SA). EOIs close 17 Nov.
Development Manager, Abbotsford Convent (VIC). Apply by 20 Nov.
Senior Marketing Manager, Performing Lines (NSW, VIC, WA, or TAS). Apply by 24 Nov.
Senior Creative Producer, CuriousWorks (NSW). Apply by 25 Nov.
Board members, Marian St Theatre for Young People (NSW and online). EOIs by 3 Jan 2025.