Changes to Australia's Arts Funding

The recent inquiry into the changes to arts funding that has seen millions pulled from the Australia Council for the Arts and the proposed establishment of a National Program for Excellence in the Arts (NPEA), attracted more than 2 600 submissions from across the country. It was a fantastic response...this was mine, and to view others click here.

At the recent public hearing held in Melbourne, accomplished contemporary artist, David Pledger very eloquently outlined the problem with the newly proposed NPEA. Well, worth watching this Video of David Pledger 

 

David Pledger speaking at the Melbourne public inquiry

I am writing this submission in response to the funding changes to the Australia Council for the Arts and the proposal to establish a National Program for Excellence in the Arts.

My response is based on more than 20 years working with community, the arts, government and business in Tasmania. It stems from my first hand experience as a producer, arts manager, writer and coach; having worked with Big hART Inc, Tasmanian Regional Arts, Tasmanian Writers Centre, Tasmanian International Arts Festival (Ten Days on the Island), Screen Tasmania, the University of Tasmania and currently curate the Tasmanian Portraiture Prize among other projects. I have worked with artists and companies to deliver art projects, build organizational capacity and also explored alternative models, such as social enterprise. This research has identified the importance of supporting the creative development of art content in the state and that in fact arts sector investment reaps much greater return than most other industries.

Bringing the Tarkine to Hobart

Ashamedly I must admit to having never been to the Tarkine. That mythical, mystical part of NorthWest Tasmania that is attracting more and more attention for both it's beauty and the threat of logging and mining.

One of the fantastic things about having worked in the arts for a while, is that you often get invited to be part of extraordinary projects. Tarkine in Motion is such a project and I am lucky to be joining the troupe as Creative Producer; drawing together a show that includes a diverse range of song writers, actors, performers and musicians. Tarkine in Motion began as an idea to send creative makers and thinkers into the forests. It was a project realised through passionate individuals and the Bob Brown Foundation who supported 70 artists, musicians, performers, dancers & creatives to live amongst the lush forests and rugged coastlines. This included well known actor, Simon Westaway, who will join us in performing on Wednesday night at the Peacock Theatre.

Of course I am biased, but with only one opportunity to hear these new works, this is a show worth experiencing, whether you have visited the Tarkine or not. The singing is exquisite and varied and it is beautifully matched by the intoxicating visuals that have been curated by the fabulous Geraldina Dijkstra. 

Entrepreneur began with the creative

Social Enterprise is a natural fit for creative individuals. It's where intuition meets logic in a heady mix of creativity, passion, ingenuity, business sense and hard work. But it certainly isn't an easy path. 

I was lucky enough to be involved in the founding of the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Network; an ego-less industry led group that was all about raising awareness of social enterprise and both the benefits and challenges. This coupled with my work studying the Tasmanian social enterprise sector as a Research Associate with the Institute for Regional Development provided me with a great opportunity to explore my own ideas and those of many other passionate individuals. It also resulted in the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study and was followed a year later by the publication Stories of Social Enterprises. 

With a change of government and massive shift in support for social enterprise over the last few years, the focus has moved away from the social enterprise model. Although, it is a challenge for anyone wanting any financial assistance, it actually leaves those who are absolutely committed to the idea of matching a social mission with entrepreneurial practices to make change.

Last week I was thrilled to deliver an Introduction to Social Enterprise Workshop to a group of individuals working on major projects funded via Tasmanian Medicare Local. 



It reminded me of the opportunities in exploring social enterprise and thinking outside the square and I like that. 

The aim is to provide future workshops, so drop me a line if you or your organisation are interested.

Perfectly Imperfect

My background is as a journalist. I started naively at The Examiner in Launceston with little life experience and it really was a baptism of fire. With uncles successfully working in the media business I felt the pressure to remain in mainstream media, but it wasn't long before I escaped. Initially I was devastated as I thought my lifelong dream was over and that I had failed. 

With time I realised my passion for capturing people's stories hadn't waned. I also realised that writers write; irrelevant of the place or platform and that just as there are many types of writers there are just as many types of readers. Which means that there is a place for us all. And finally I realised that I didn't have to be perfect. Everybody needs an editor and that the idea of immediate perfection by one individual is a nonsense.

This passion has led me to writing a number of publications and articles over the last 20 years.  Particularly gratifying is when I can combine my love of the arts and people, with my passion for story telling.

Last year I was invited to write an article for IMPRINT about Paper Garments for the Grave, an amazing collection of work by mostly Tasmanian artists. It's one in a series of art stories that I have captured with hopefully many more to come.

The Journey of the Argonauts

'In spite of the minuscule chance of anyone surviving to lay eyes upon the Golden Fleece, let alone get past the guarding dragon and return with the prize, large numbers of heroes (the Argonauts) were ready to run the risk.'

Rachel Dallas with
They Washed in on the Tide

The artists and curators

A courageous group of Flinders Island artists embarked on a 12 month adventure to explore their own art practice and what possibilities could lie ahead. How could they extend themselves and where could they take their art?

A still from Sammi Gowthorp's
Mercury Retrograde short film

It was a diverse group with painters, photographers, a film maker, sculptors and a textile artist. At times it was challenging and confronting, but all nine of them prevailed. The Journey of the Argonauts captures some of this adventure and the shared connection to Flinders Island. 

Dale Williams watercolour, View from my mind

Engaging Elements by Lila Tresemer

I was lucky enough work with the group and together we faced challenges and hurdles. But all were overcome and we were able to bring together a group exhibition that has amazing cohesion in essence and form. 

Sandro Donati with his work Island Icon V

Traveling Box of Bones
by Rachel Dallas

It was fantastic to curate the exhibition with Principal Curator of TMAG, Jane Stewart. This is the first gallery outcome, with the hope that there will be future destinations for this beautiful collection of new works. The exhibition is up at the Straits Gallery for a couple of week, so if you are heading to Flinders, check it out.

The wonderful artists involved included: Rachel Dallas, Sandro Donati, Sammi Gowthorp, Annabel Apps, Bronwen Grutzner, Dale Williams, Helen Haines, Jaga Lipska and Lila Tresemer.

Yakka Orres by Helen Haines

Jaga Lipska's Cosmic Bounce

Bronwen Grutzner's pastels
from an earlier exhibiti

Annabel Apps work, 
Dissolved into a deep Lassitude

This project was funded by the Regional Arts Fund, the Flinders Island Council and Flinders Island Regional Arts. For more information about this or other projects via 
Kylie Eastley Consultancy please email kylieeastley@gmail.com or call 0439 262 344. 

All photographs by photographer and film maker, Sammi Gowthorp

Feeling like an Imposter?

Imposter Syndrome has been acknowledged as a 'real' condition and in this recent article it states that more than 70% of people at some time will feel it.

You know the feeling. You are at an event, or part of a project or in a meeting and you have that uncomfortable feeling that at any minute someone is going to tap you on the shoulder. The effects of it can be have an impact on your confidence, self-esteem and progression of your work and ideas. Here are some practical tips from Fast Company, to help you get through those moments and to let you enjoy what you do.

Tasmanian Portraiture Prize

It has been another amazing year working with RACT Insurance and Tasmanian Regional Arts as the curator and co-manager of the Tasmanian Portraiture Prize. The exhibition is on at the Long Gallery until Saturday 4th October and already we have had hundreds through the doors.

Then it is winding it's way north to Sawtooth Ari and then the Burnie Regional Gallery. See details at the TPP website and in the meantime check out our newly released film produced by HYPE TV that captures the work that goes into the prize along with the finished exhibition. Congratulations to all the artists involved and our wonderful judges; Robert Hannaford, Jane Stewart and Alex Davern.

View the TPP Film here...