Feb 2016: YPAA /ASSITEJ Australia, news from the sector – Sue Giles

If you missed the articles on the cuts to the youth theatre sector at the end of last year, you can read them here:
Fraser Corfield in the Daily review. Read Here.
Ben Eltham in Crikey. Read Here.

Meanwhile the international market continues – to what end?

The success of the Australian TYA sector in the USA and many other countries is a great news story. This January in Montreal, Canada we had a remarkable opportunity to catch up with TYA news from most states and territories in Oz at the IPAY conference. 23 delegates were there from Australia – the biggest contingent yet – at the biggest IPAY ever. Slingsby Artistic Director Andy Packer was elected to the IPAY board – the first Australian voice in that cohort.

Because we were all together it was a great moment to express our dismay at the illogical actions of the federal government in regard to overseas touring funds. With the collapse of Ozco global marketing, enabling travel and freight costs to be supported, many of us will find ourselves struggling to maintain long term relationships and so much harder to broker new ones. The delegation is sending Minister Fifield a letter to this effect and several of our presenter network have committed their words of support to video.

We have all been feeling the hole left by the demise of the YPAA Conference in getting the sector together to share our skills and knowledge. Discussions have been taking place amongst some of us in Victoria about organising an event to make up for some of that loss. Details will be announced soon. Watch this space!

This month – a Western Australia news update:

FirstHand emergent puppetry artist training program: applications open for 2016
Spare parts Puppet Theatre is inviting applications from artists to join the 2016 FirstHand emergent puppetry artists program. FirstHand offers rigorous training in the creation of puppetry and is suited to applicants with a strong skills base in performing or design for new theatre performance. Artists and recent graduates who are interested must apply for consideration, More Info.

Barking Gecko 2016 Program announced. Read Here.

KickstART Festival back in 2016: Propel Youth Arts WA
Unearth your creativity and unleash your imagination at the next KickstART Festival, which rolls on through the Perth Cultural Centre and surrounds from Friday 8 – Sunday 24 April 2016, as part of National Youth Week. Stallholders and organisations wishing to sell their wares at the KickstART Markets have until Monday 15 February to apply. More Info

WA Showcase 2016: 12 & 13 May (EOIs closing soon!)
CircuitWest is pleased to announce that the application period for the WA SHOWCASE 2016 – PLAYING THE STATE is now open. If you are a professional artist or organisation interested in touring or working regionally then WA Showcase is for you. EOI Applications are due 5pm 15th March 2016. More Info.

Regards,
Sue Giles