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Arts community mourns Townsville dance legend
The Queensland arts community is in mourning following the passing of one of its most respected icons — Townsville dance identity Ann Roberts.
Minister for the Arts Matt Foley today paid tribute to the great contribution of Ms Roberts, the founder of Dance North, who passed away peacefully in Townsville early on Sunday morning after a long illness.
"Her contribution to Australian dance was very significant," he said.
"Her great legacy, Dance North, is one of Australia's greatest dance companies which has inspired many with wonderful performances and innovative choreography - we mourn her passing."
Dance North General Manager Henry Laska said Ms Roberts, who taught in Townsville for more than 50 years, was the driving force behind developing the region's dancers.
"Her support for dance was our tower of strength and she will be sadly missed by many," he said.
In 1969 during a public meeting, Dance North was born as the North Queensland Ballet and Dance Company when Ms Roberts began a bid to retain talented dancers in the region.
The company became renowned for presenting the finest of the north's dancing talent to critical acclaim with a polished technical edge and successful members, with 25 per cent continuing careers in the industry as professional dancers, choreographers, arts administrators and teachers.
Kylie Ball of Extensions Youth Dance Company, which evolved from Ms Roberts' investment in Townsville's dancers, said the much-loved teacher had influenced the lives of thousands of people.
"Miss Roberts, as she was known, taught me dancing since I was four and because she was a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examiner and teacher, she made a difference to many people," she said.
Ms Roberts' funeral will be held at 2:30pm on Thursday 7 March 2002 at the St James Cathedral, Denham Street, Townsville.
Natasha Pattison
Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
5 March 2002
QTC invites entries for Young Playwrights’ Awards
Fledgling Queensland playwrights are being invited to speak out, be heard and experience the challenge of writing for performance by entering the Queensland Theatre Company’s 2002 Young Playwrights’ Awards.
Winners of the Award will get star treatment experiencing the rare opportunity of having Theatre professionals and actors workshop their words and perform their play at this year’s Queensland Writers Festival. Prizes also include cash (up to $3000), books and memberships to the Queensland Writers Festival and Australian National Playwrights Centre.
The Awards are divided into four categories for writers aged 12-13 years, 14-15 years, 16-18 years and 19-25 years.
For those high school playwrights who would like help getting started or improve their writing skills, Queensland Theatre Company will be holding free workshops from 16 April – 23 May led by previous winner Angela Betzien. These workshops will also be available to young writers living in regional Queensland, online via our website. Registration for the writing workshops closes on 2 April 2002.
For more information or to register for the workshops, call QTC on 3840 7007 or send an email to ypa@qldtheatreco.com.au. Entries close on Friday 5 July at 5pm
Meanwhile, four Queensland playwrights have had their scripts selected for THE WORKS, Queensland Theatre Company’s annual program of rehearsed public play readings.
Kathryn Ash, David Brown, Marcel Dorney and Stephen Martin have each received a development grant enabling them to spend the next five months working with Queensland Theatre Company’s artistic team developing their scripts for presentation at THE WORKS from 24-27 July 2002.
“The four scripts are extremely diverse in style and by writers who are at varying stages in their professional development, but each work has the potential to be very exciting theatre,” said QTC artistic director Michael Gow.
“It’s great to be combining the writing skills of someone like Kathryn Ash, who is having another of her plays, Bag O’ Marbles, produced as part of our mainstage program this year, with a very young and emerging talent like Stephen Martin.
What unites all of these plays is the strong, well developed ideas behind them.”
In the last two years, THE WORKS has allowed audiences to see a wide range of new and classic work read by an ensemble of professional actors.
“This year we decided to promote the innovative, imaginative and unique voice of Queensland playwrights and expose audiences to new Queensland work,” said Michael Gow.
The selected scripts are:
Dead Reckoning by Kathryn Ash (Cairns):
An exploration of the effect of epidemic death and disease on families and communities told partly through the eyes of children;
Eating Ice Cream With Your Eyes Closed by David Brown (Grange, Brisbane):
Two disparate travellers strike up an unlikely friendship at a bus terminal late at night. One has just left their home, the other is trying to find one;
Harriers by Marcel Dorney (Fortitude Valley, Brisbane):
A doctor from an international aid organisation, two militia members and a stranger with magical healing powers are trapped in a bunker in the Caucasus;
Cuts Like A Knife by Stephen Martin (Jindalee, Brisbane):
An examination of the current political climate between Australia and the United State and what it’s like being on the receiving end of US military might.
THE WORKS is being directed by Queensland Theatre Company’s associate director Jon Halpin and intern director Scott Witt. Performances will be held at The New Shed in Queensland Theatre Company’s future home at 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane from 24-27 July 2002.
Bronwyn Klepp
Queensland Theatre company
3 March 2002
Cremorne Gallery renamed Tony Gould Gallery
The Cremorne Gallery will be renamed The Tony Gould Gallery in honour of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust's retiring founding director Tony Gould, Minister for the Arts Matt Foley announced today. Mr Foley made the announcement at Tony Gould's tribute dinner on the Concert Hall Stage, Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Tony Gould retires from the top job at the Queensland Performing Arts Trust on Friday, after 23 years.
Mr Foley said: "The Tony Gould Gallery will provide a fitting, long-term acknowledgment of Tony's contribution to the enormous success of the Performing Arts Centre and to his outstanding contribution to Queensland's artistic and cultural life.
The naming of the gallery after Tony Gould is particularly fitting given his passion for preserving the State's performing arts heritage."
The Tony Gould Gallery is part of the Queensland Performing Arts Museum at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre at South Bank.
It opened as the Cremorne Gallery in March 2001 with funding from the Queensland Government under the Centenary of Federation Community Assistance Program. It gained its original name due to its location under the Cremorne Theatre, which honours the original theatre of the same name that was the home of the much-loved vaudeville scene in Brisbane.
The Tony Gould Gallery, which is free to visit, is currently exhibiting Dancing By Design, an exhibition of Australian Youth Ballet costumes. The exhibition closes on 2 March, 2002.
Tony Gould was appointed inaugural director of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in 1979 after a world-wide search. His appointment followed a distinguished career with the ABC that included State concert manager for Queensland.
Before his work at the ABC, Tony Gould was the administrator of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust. He is a graduate of London's Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Russ Morgan
Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
11 February 2002
Beattie announces new home for La Boite
Queensland’s oldest drama company – the La Boite Theatre – is set to relocate to the new Creative Industries Precinct being established at Kelvin Grove.
Premier Peter Beattie and Minister for the Arts Matt Foley today announced that the Government had reached an agreement in principle with the La Boite Theatre and the Queensland University of Technology for the relocation.
Mr Beattie said the company’s proposed move would add a dynamic new element to the precinct.
“La Boite has been eager to upgrade its facilities for some time and this move will enable that upgrade to go ahead," he said.
“Today’s news is the result of on-going discussions between the Government and the company."
Arts Minister Foley said the Government would continue to work closely with the theatre company and the Queensland University of Technology to fine tune the agreement.
“La Boite has been a prominent and important player in Queensland’s arts history and we will continue negotiations in early 2002 to help the company ensure its future is just as bright," he said.
“It is a valued company. This year alone, Arts Queensland has provided La Boite with $438,340 in operational funding.”
Mr Beattie said the Queensland Government, through the Department of State Development, was investing $15 million into the Creative Industries Precinct. Once completed it will be Australia’s first precinct dedicated to promoting the development of creative industries.
“Construction begins in mid-2002 and will provide an enterprise centre as well as design and production space for businesses such as media, music, design, film and television,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Department of Public Works is to finalise issues relating to equity and ownership, rental and the shared space with QUT.
The project is about collocating and working together to build Queensland’s skills base to further our reputation as the Smart State.
We are fortunate to have a wealth of creative talent and La Boite is certainly an important piece in that picture.”
The Premier said wanted to thank Mr Foley for his leadership and efforts in ensuring that this relocation came about.
John Algate/Russ Morgan
Premier's Department/Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
24 December 2001
$380,000 Christmas present to arts organisations
Minister for the Arts Matt Foley today announced special one-off
additional project funding to arts and cultural organisations in Queensland.
Mr Foley said 13 organisations will receive one-off direct grants
totalling $380,000, while 11 other organisations have been offered
customised assistance in cultural business planning or information
technology and service delivery totalling $155,000 under Arts Queensland's
Cultural Infrastructure Program Priorities Fund.
In July, Mr Foley announced $90,000 from the Fund had been granted to
Access Arts, Queensland's peak arts and disability organisation, to host
the 7th Asia Pacific Wataboshi Music Festival in Brisbane in 2003.
"The Priority Funding is in addition to existing operational grants and
will go towards vital projects to help foster, encourage and promote arts
and culture in our State," Mr Foley said.
Mr Foley said the additional funds were a tribute to the efforts of
Brisbane Festival chair, Graham Hart and artistic director, Tony Gould.
"It also has to be remembered that this achievement was made at a time
when many other major festivals around the country were recording major
losses.
Organisations that have identified information technology/service
delivery and cultural business planning as priorities will benefit from
two projects that will customise electronic solutions."
Mr Foley said the funding had been made possible through profits raised
during the Brisbane Festival in October 2000.
The Festival was such a success it has allowed the Queensland Government
to give organisations an extra helping hand," Mr Foley said.
The 13 organisations that received direct grants are:
* Australia Dance Council, Fortitude Valley (Ausdance) - $30,000 towards
workshops run with other arts agencies to support professional development
in the arts in regional Queensland;
* Dance North, Townsville - $30,000 to create and present a
Queensland-based performance of Alice in Wonderland;
* Elision Incorporated, Fortitude Valley - $20,000 towards a performance
in collaboration with the Queensland Orchestra;
* Feral Arts, Brisbane - $30,000 to establish a software development
consortium to link communities as an online tool for cultural
development;
* Hands On Art, South Bank - $40,000 towards The Footbridge Festival:
bridge as metaphor, encouraging young people to experience art;
* Just Us Theatre Ensemble, Cairns - $35,000 to employ a Project and
Development Manager in planning for the Cairns Centre of Contemporary
Arts, in association with Kick Arts;
* La Boite Theatre, Brisbane - $30,000 towards production of Black Chics
Talking by Leah Purcell and Sean Mee, featuring the stories of nine
Indigenous women;
* La Luna Youth Arts, Townsville - $15,000 towards a regional tour of a
youth-devised theatre production, Flash Alice;
* Metro Arts, Brisbane - $20,000 to prepare business development plans;
* Museums Australia Queensland, Fortitude Valley - $25,000 to investigate
the option of delivering accredited training with the Regional Galleries
Association of Queensland, Ausdance and the Queensland Community Arts
Network;
* Queensland Youth Orchestra Council, Herston - $10,000 towards the cost
of hosting the 27th National Youth Concerto Competition in Brisbane next
year;
* University of Queensland Press, St Lucia - $45,000 to assist in the
promotion and marketing of the Black Writing Series; and
* Woomera Aboriginal Corporation, West End - $50,000 towards costs of
creating a marketing plan and tools to promote national and international
partnerships for Woomera and Mornington Island.
The organisations invited to take part in the $90,000 Information
Technology/Service Delivery initiative are:
Craft Queensland;
Opera North Inc;
Playlab Inc;
Queensland Community Arts Network Inc;
Queensland Folk Federation; and
Queensland Music Network (Q Music).
The organisations invited to take part in the $65,000 Cultural Business
Planning initiative are:
Brisbane Ethnic Music and Arts Centre;
Contact Inc;
Expressions Dance Company;
Kooemba Jdarra Aboriginal Corporation; and
The Arterial Group.
Artists can apply for funding from Arts Queensland through its monthly
Small Grants rounds (under $5,000) and its twice-yearly Major Grants
rounds (over $5,000). For further information, contact Arts Queensland,
on 3224 4896 or email grants@arts.qld.gov.au.
Natasha Pattison
Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
17 December 2001
Queensland festivals achieve surplus
The final figures for the Queensland Biennial Festival of Music 2001 and the 2000 Brisbane Festival showed them to be two of the most successful festivals in the nation, Minister for the Arts Matt Foley told State Parliament today.
Held throughout the state from 20-29 July 2001, the Queensland Biennial had achieved a surplus of $47,000, while the Brisbane Festival, from 3-25 October 2000, posted a surplus of $1.05 million.
"When compared with major festivals in other states whose losses ran into millions of dollars, these two festivals have achieved an outstanding result," Mr Foley said.
"Just as significantly, the Queensland Biennial achieved standards of artistic excellence which drew huge audiences and demonstrated that the festival was in tune with the wishes of Queenslanders.
The Brisbane Festival was an unqualified success with consistently packed houses, critical acclaim and responsible fiscal management."
The Queensland Biennial box office had exceeded budget by 12 per cent and sponsorship for 2001 had increased by 129 per cent.
"It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce QBFM Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Terracini's reappointment as the artistic director of the 2003 Queensland Biennial", Mr Foley said.
Mr Terracini said that of the 3,298 music participants involved in this year's festival, there were 67 international musicians, 2,939 Queensland musicians and participants, as well as 108 leading musicians from across Australia.
"They performed a vast range of musical genres from classical masterpieces to eclectic percussion. The Queensland Biennial proved to be a music festival of international excellence accessible to Queenslanders from all walks of life," Mr Terracini said.
The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, provided $2 million for the QBFM. It also provided an additional subsidy of $15,000 for the Instrument Makers Expo (Sound Builders) held at Cooroy and $10,000 for the International Critics Symposium held at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
QBFM events were held throughout Queensland centres including Brisbane, Barcaldine, Chinchilla, Cooroy, Esk, Logan, Mackay, Rockhampton, Roma, St George, Townsville and Toowoomba.
The Brisbane Festival boasted 67 productions; 345 performances at 40 venues; 153 free performances; and 27 productions exclusive to Brisbane. Estimated attendances were in excess of 252,000; paid attendances hit 109,000; gross box office receipts reached $3.6 million; and corporate sponsorship was $1.28 million.
Festival Artistic Director Tony Gould AM said: "We played host to the artistic brilliance of Australia's finest performing artists, and attracted the world's leading performers at the pinnacle of their careers.
"The economic benefit to the State was estimated at approximately $17.75 million and more than 3,000 artsworkers and volunteers - many of whom were Queenslanders - were employed during the Festival."
The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, contributed $3.8 million to the Brisbane Festival.
Mr Foley said as a result of the sound financial management of the Brisbane Festival, the Government had been able to redirect funding of $640,000 to other arts companies across the State.
Russ Morgan
Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
31 October 2001
Townsville theatres combine
Townsville's Tropic Line Theatre and Hardsun Theatre will start a new collaboration to maximise resources, Minister for the Arts Matt Foley announced today.
The Queensland Government through Arts Queensland has committed $100,000 each year over three years for the two companies from 2002 to support the growth of a stronger theatre infrastructure for the region, an increase of $29,000 each year.
The two companies and their funding agencies, the Townsville City Council, Arts Queensland and the Australia Council, see the move as positive for Queensland art and culture.
"This is wonderful news for the Townsville arts scene," Mr Foley said.
"The Queensland Government is keen to promote and facilitate partnerships within the arts to build stronger and more sustainable ventures, and subsequently create bigger and better creative output.
This tripartite agreement across the companies is a first for Arts Queensland, and we are all eager to see the outcome from this collaboration."
Member for Townsville Mike Renyolds said the companies share some common artistic and audience territory, but would remain separate entities to allow them to exercise their philosophical and operational differences.
"This is a real growth time for Townsville theatre and I am pleased that the State Government took this innovative approach to maximise resources but also keep the two companies unique," he said. "This is smart thinking for a Smart State."
Tropic Line started in the mid-1980s as a university theatre for senior students and graduates. In 1995, it moved from the James Cook University to become an independent company for the broader Townsville community and region.
Hardsun, formerly Theatre Up North, started in the mid-1990s. It primarily received its funding, administrative and artistic support from the Faculty Drama Program at James Cook University.
In addition to an annual season of Australian contemporary and classical plays, Hardsun continues to perform an important theatre education role.
Mr Foley said a committee made up of membership from the Boards of both companies, and the Townsville Civic Theatre, would work towards an integrated professional company over the next three years.
Arts Queensland will also provide advice and support to the companies over the medium-term to assist their collaboration.
Natasha Pattison
Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
26 October 2001
Minister urges participation in Arts Week, 7-13 October
Minister for the Arts Matt Foley today urged Queenslanders to broaden their artistic horizons by taking part in Arts Week, from 7-13 October 2001.
Officially launching Arts Week at the inaugural function of The Regional Writers' Guild Inc. at the Strathpine Library, Mr Foley said there was no better time for Queenslanders to join together and celebrate the diversity and richness of the arts.
"With more than 150 events being held across the state, Arts Week is shaping up as the perfect opportunity for people in the cities and regional communities to take in new music, dance, theatre or art exhibitions," Mr Foley said.
"Arts Week is designed to celebrate the achievements of Queensland artists from all art forms and to highlight the value of arts, heritage and cultural activity to the state."
Arts Week was officially introduced in 1998. It grew from the annual Artist Day, first celebrated in 1987 and held every year on 13 October.
The theme for the Week is Creative Queensland.
A highlight of the Week is Arts Queensland's breakfast, Arts Partnerships on the Gold Coast, at the Gold Coast International Hotel on 9 October. Speakers including filmmaker Bruce Redman (city loop, Seed) and Mt Tamborine visual artist Donna Marcus will address issues relevant to Gold Coast artists and arts organisations involved.
Topics will include grants and funding, arts and cultural programs, business and audience development in the arts, creative partnership programs and professional development.
Budding young artists have not been forgotten, with a competition encouraging them to put their imaginations to good use.
Arts Queensland and the Sunday Mail's Factor X are holding a Creative Queensland Postcard Competition, inviting Queensland's youth to design a postcard with a caption about what the arts means to them.
Entrants must design the card, and in 12 words or less, complete the sentence: "Arts means ..."
Other highlights of Queensland Arts Week 2001 include:
* Daily tours for the Millennium Arts Project at the Queensland Cultural Centre. The redevelopment project includes the new Queensland Gallery of Modern Art and the major expansion of the State Library of Queensland. Contact: 3229 7488. * The Arts Society of Bundaberg will host its Arts Festival from 7-14 October. Contact: 4151 3218.
* Our Special Seniors 2001 features photographs and oral histories prepared and presented by Gladstone State High School Year 8 students to celebrate next month's National Seniors Week, now on display at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum. Contact: crystalj@gragm.qld.gov.au .
* The Queensland Orchestra visits the Gold Coast Arts Centre on 12 October with concerts for school students, and the Orchestra Soloists Gold Coast Series with director Warwick Adeny that night. Contact: 3377 5000.
* Queensland Ballet is touring its Take Two production to Emerald, Roma and Chinchilla from 10-13 October. Contact: 3846 5266.
* Ausdance Qld will present a number of performances at Brisbane Powerhouse during the Week, including Tension and Synergy - Creating from the Body 2 and Performing Unplugged - Andrew Morrish. Contact 3250 1250.
Mr Foley said there was something for everyone's taste and personal arts preferences.
"I hope all Queenslanders will get into the spirit of Arts Week and support the activities in their local communities.
For information on events happening in your area check out the Arts Week Calendar of Events on the Arts Queensland website at www.arts.qld.gov.au ."
Russ Morgan
Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) is broadening its repertoire by entering into a partnership with the National Screenwriters' Conference to present the inaugural Australian Sitcom Festival from 3-15 December.
Based on the innovative model developed by Britain's Channel Four television station, QTC is producing nine half-hour television comedy scripts for the stage. These fully rehearsed, professional productions of comedy scripts offer a new approach to developing Australian sitcoms.
"The process is a little unusual, in that it crosses industry categories that are usually kept distinct such as screen culture and production, live theatre and television, but this is where the value of the festival lies," said QTC Artistic Director Michael Gow.
"These unusual combinations offer a new way of working for Australia's sitcom industry that encourage experimentation and are an exciting and innovative approach to project and professional development."
Jon Halpin and Jean-Marc Russ have been appointed by Queensland Theatre Company to direct the Sitcom Festival. They will work closely with writers and script editors during rehearsals giving the opportunity - rare for writers in television - to rework and develop the script as the actors explore it. Three scripts are being performed each night during the two week Festival season.
The nine comedy scripts, selected by Queensland Theatre Company and the National Screenwriters' Conference, come from writers in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Also taking place during the festival is a Sitcom Symposium to encourage critical debate about project development models and practices for sitcoms in the Australian industry.
The 2001 Australian Sitcom Festival has been made possible with assistance from the Pacific Film and Television Commission, Beyond International and QUT Gardens Theatre. The festival appears at the QUT Gardens Theatre from 3rd to 15th December.
Bronwyn Klepp
Queensland Theatre Company
3 September 2001
International star joins Queensland Ballet
In a major coup for Queensland, international ballet star Jens Weber has joined Queensland Ballet as a Principal Dancer.
Weber made the decision to join Queensland Ballet after first meeting Artistic Director François Klaus in Berlin in 1997 and then observing the Company during two visits to Australia.
"François Klaus is one of only a few artistic directors today who has a clear concept of the development of a ballet company," Weber said. "The environment of Queensland Ballet is a very artistic one and even though it is much smaller, with limited financial means, the teaching and coaching provided is far superior to that which I've experienced in much larger and richer companies. Also, the repertoire is very varied and exciting to dance. I feel this is an environment in which I can really progress as an artist."
Klaus is proud of the Company's ability to entice a dancer of Weber's stature. "I am really delighted that the quality of our work could lure a principal dancer from a large international company, " he said. "Having a dancer of Jens's calibre will enrich Queensland Ballet and for both our dancers and our audiences."
Most recently Principal Dancer with Switzerland's Zurich Ballet, Jens was born in Germany and studied at the State Ballet School of Berlin. He shortened his formal study due to his outstanding talent, joining the State Opera Ballet Berlin in 1991, and being promoted to Principal in 1995. Jens has appeared as a guest artist throughout the world and was seen in Queensland as a guest at Queensland Ballet's International Gala in 1998 and 2000.
Jens's first appearance on stage as a Principal Dancer with Queensland Ballet will be in the forthcoming Dance Bait season at The Gardens Theatre, QUT Gardens Point Campus, August 30-September 8.
Madeline Egan
Queensland Ballet
20 August 2001
Dramafest returns to Sandgate Theatre
Sandgate Theatre announces the return of its annual
Yarrageh Festival. Yes, the longest-running (and friendliest) drama
festival in Brisbane is back with performances from as far away as
Maleny, Eumundi and the Glasshouse Mountains. This year we have
26 one-act plays with over a hundred actors, and with acting
and performance prizes at stake there is plenty of incentive for them
all to put on their best for you!
You can see at only $5 a session (average of three plays
per session) hilarious comedies, stunning dramas, and new plays
by local writers. The festival will be presented in two parts: the
Intermediate section for under-18 performers (Friday 24 August 7.30
pm, Saturday 25 August, 2 pm & 7 pm) and the Open section for all
ages (Wednesday 29 August 8 pm, Thursday 30 August 8 pm, Friday
31 August 7.30 pm, Saturday 1 September 2 pm & 7 pm) at the
Sandgate Town Hall. For bookings call 3869 2099 (answering
machine) or email: bookings@sandgatetheatre.com (do not give
credit card details).
John Midgley
j.midgley@student.qut.edu.au
19 August 2001
Ipswich festival of plays
Ipswich Little Theatre invites entries for the October
"Festival of One Act Plays". The
closing date for entries is 14th September. The festival will be held on
5th, 6th and 7th October.
Brett Williams
brett.williams@tivoliss.qld.edu.au
16 August 2001
Arts Law Centre celebrates 10th anniversary
The Queensland Arts Law Centre is celebrating its tenth anniversary.
Minister for the Arts Matt Foley today congratulated law and accounting professional volunteers, as he hosted a function to mark the 10th anniversary of the Association's incorporation.
"Thousands of Queensland artists rely on the volunteer services that the Arts Law Centre of Queensland provides," Mr Foley said.
"The Arts Law Centre of Queensland enables artists, who have special and distinct legal service needs, to make informed decisions for the resolution of their legal and accounting aspects of their practices."
"Particularly in light of the recent new tax system, the Arts Law Centre has advised, referred, informed and educated more than 2,000 artists in the last year."
Arts Queensland has supported the Arts Law Centre with an annual allocation of $70,700 over the last three years.
The Centre works together with the Queensland Government to improve service delivery to both urban and regional communities, covering areas such as advice, education, advocacy, promotion and associated accounting and legal concerns.
Mr Foley said it was timely to celebrate the efforts of this volunteer serviced Centre, in this International Year of the Volunteer.
"Fifty-four volunteers provided legal and accounting advice in Brisbane and Cairns in the last year, and invested more than 500 hours voluntarily, representing a contribution to the cultural sector in excess of $100,000," Mr Foley said.
"I commend the Arts Law Centre and its past and present volunteers for their dedicated contribution to assisting and enriching Queensland's diverse artistic and cultural sector and the State's quality of life."
Russ Morgan
Department of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
14 August 2001
Tom Gutteridge leaves QTC
Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) bids a fond farewell to its Artistic Associate since 1996, Tom Gutteridge. Tom is moving to Melbourne to pursue a freelance directing career when his contract expires on 17 August.
"My five years with QTC have been incredibly fruitful for me," said Tom. "I have had the opportunity to work on a huge range of different projects, and to be involved in the policy and direction of the company. I am deeply grateful to both of the QTC Artistic Directors I've worked with, Michael Gow and Robyn Nevin, for these opportunities, and to the audiences and artists here in Queensland who have been my community.
"I always felt that five years was long enough to be in this kind of job. It's now time for me to develop my ideas and craft away from an organisation, and it's time for the organisation to have a new energy and aesthetic in this position. I'm excited about embarking on my 'new life' but I'll be keeping an interested and affectionate eye on what's happening in Queensland and I hope to be back from time to time to work here again," Tom said.
QTC Artistic Director Michael Gow said: "Tom has had an amazing influence on all areas of the company. He's a great director, producing the highly successful Chilling & Killing My Annabel Lee and The Forest, since I've been at QTC, which have raised the benchmark for his future directorial work".
Aside from his mainstage plays for QTC, which also include Oz Shorts, Sweet Panic, and Vertigo & the Virginia, Tom directed a number of QTC's education productions including MoDD - The Dream, Replays - The Doll, Explod-ed and Load-ed Stories. "Tom has been a real mover and shaker in restructuring and reinvigorating the company's education unit. He instigated new initiatives, programs, research and development opportunities that have vastly improved student attendance at our productions and created strong relationships between QTC and Queensland drama teachers," said Michael. "He has also had a strong and significant impact on the local arts industry. Tom's passion and work for theatre extended to the whole community and he will be greatly missed. We wish Tom every success in his career beyond the company."
The new QTC artistic team will be announced at the company's 2002 season launch in late September.
Queensland Ballet's contribution to the cultural program for the Goodwill Games will be an exciting premiere season of four contemporary works created on the state company by national and international choreographers.
"Presenting contemporary works is very important to the development of the dancers," said Artistic Director, François Klaus. "Professional dancers today need to be highly versatile, with mastery of both contemporary and classical technique, and it is very valuable for our dancers to be exposed to different choreographic styles."
The four pieces in the program will be Aus der Ferne (From Afar) by award winning Italian choreographer Davide Bombana, Four Seasons by innovative German choreographer Stephan Thoss, Silent Souls by Queensland Ballet's Principal Dancer Paul Boyd, and Textured Heart by Queensland Ballet trainee choreographer Timothy Brown.
"The Company takes very seriously its role of developing and presenting the choreographic talent of Company members", said Klaus. "For this reason, I have programmed works by two Company dancers as well as works by two of the most interesting choreographers working in Europe today."
Vivaldi's Four Seasons is one of the world's best known pieces of classical music, but the highly inventive contemporary choreography of Stephan Thoss allows the audience to hear the music afresh. The work was re-mounted on Queensland Ballet by Masa Kolar and Zoran Markovic from the Thoss Dance Company during their visit to Queensland as guest artists for the recent 2001 International Gala.
Davide Bombana's Aus der Ferne was first commissioned and performed this year by Ballet du Rhin in Mulhouse, France. The work was seen in rehearsal by Artistic Director, François Klaus, during a visit to Europe in December 2000, and an invitation extended then to Bombana to visit Australia and recreate the work on Queensland Ballet.
The inspiration for Paul Boyd's moving work, Silent Souls, came during a visit to Jerusalem's Yad Vasham memorial to the children killed in the Holocaust. In the ballet, an old Jewish woman (played by Brisbane actor, Kaye Stevenson) relives her past and thinks about all the people she has loved and lost. The haunting theme of the work is emphasised by the use of Jewish music and extracts from the John Williamson score for Schindler's List.
Tim Brown's second work for the Company as a trainee choreographer Textured Heart was inspired by the music of Arvo Pärt's Fratres. The short ballet explores the conflict between the head and the heart in the lives of two artists.
Madeline Egan
Queensland Ballet
9 August 2001
Opera Qld appoints Head of Music and Chorus Master
Opera Queensland general manager Chris Mangin announced two new appointments to the company's Music Department today. Narelle French, currently conducting Seeking True South, will be the company's Head of Music from September 24 while the current acting Head of Music, John Dingle, will become Chorus Master of the Opera Queensland Chorus early in the new year.
"I am delighted with the new appointments," said Mr Mangin. "Narelle French will continue the strong tradition established by former Head of Music Jillianne Stoll and the present Acting Head of Music John Dingle, which has earned Opera Queensland an international reputation for its quality of music and music staff."
Ms French is Principal Vocal Coach with the company. She was Musical Director of the Heartland Tour in June, conducted last year's acclaimed production of Così fan tutte (and wrote the English translation for the recitatives) and will conduct Così fan tutte for University of Hobart in September.
On Friday she attends Government House to receive The Dame Roma Mitchell Churchill Fellowship for the Pursuit of Excellence in the Performing Arts which will take her on a study tour to the United States and Europe in January 2001.
Narelle French joined Opera Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1999 after 13 years as a répétiteur and vocal coach with Opera Australia. During that time she covered every aspect of musical activity, including coaching, prompting and conducting a wide range of repertoire.
The Opera Queensland Chorus is regarded as one of, if not the finest, choruses in Australia. This success has been due not only to the talent of the singers, but to the direction given by James Christiansen, who retires after The Pearl Fishers season in October, after 12 years with the company.
"Filling these enormous shoes is no small feat, and subsequent to an international search, I am delighted to appoint John Dingle as the Chorus Master of the Opera Queensland Chorus," Mr Mangin said.
John Dingle graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1987 and remained there on academic staff for two years. He joined the music staff at the then Australian Opera in 1991 and won the Australian Singing Competition Répétiteur Award which allowed him to study in Italy.
He joined the Victoria State Opera as Chorus Master for a number of years and founded the Melbourne Chorale Ensemble, a 40-voice choir that now performs regularly with the MSO. He also worked as the choral conductor on the film Elizabeth, the musical score of which won a British Tony Award.
He joined Opera Queensland in July 2000 as Acting Head of Music.
"I can't think of anyone more qualified in this country to take on this onerous responsibility," said retiring Chorus Master, James Christiansen. "John comes from a background of considerable experience both at Opera Australia and in Melbourne and I wish him all the very best."
Jenny Kidd
Opera Queensland
8 August 2001
Australian Ballet dancers on webcam
The world can now view dancers of The Australian Ballet live in morning class on the web. Enabled by a partnership with Compaq Computer Australia announced earlier this year, a new Webcam facility in the Australian Ballet rehearsal studios will be launched tomorrow morning at 10.30am and will provide unprecedented access to the dancers' daily ritual of morning class. For a dancer, attending class is like putting petrol in a car.
Catch glimpses of red hot chilli pepper Nicole Rhodes — recently returned from a guest spot in Chile — and the company's newest Principal Campbell McKenzie at the barre. And check out Steven Heathcote, Lisa Bolte, Miranda Coney, Matthew Trent and the rest of this stunning company in repose and in flight, as they prepare for forthcoming Melbourne seasons (Trilogy: 30 August to 10 September; and Giselle: 14 September to 25 September).
During Melbourne rehearsal periods, the Webcam will operate every Tuesday and Thursday morning between 10.30am and 11.45am. During Melbourne performance seasons, the Webcam will operate every Tuesday and Thursday morning between 11.00am and 12.15pm. It can be accessed from the "ticker" on The Australian Ballet homepage at www.australianballet.com.au. Compaq is the Exclusive Technology Partner of The Australian Ballet.
Vanessa Duscio
Australian Ballet
1 August 2001
Video Space at Metro Arts
VIDEOSPACE is a new space for experimental, independent and underground video and video-influenced art at !Metro Arts.
Installations, loops, projection and informal free screenings brought to audiences in monthly changing exhibition programs.
VIDEOSPACE opens in August 2001,
Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4pm.
Curated by Molly Hankwitz: mollybh@netspace.net.au
August: "POST-HUMAN" + ARTIST-MADE TELEVISION (Pacific Rim).
Loops: David Spooner, Kim Preston, Ali Verban.
New work by students of QUT School of Visual Arts.
Screening: ATV artists’ television Ch. 52 in San Francisco.
Compendium of short film/video works curated by ATV at Artists Television Access, San Francisco.
All genres. 2 hrs. Free.
September: (More Pacific Rim cultures)
PERIPHERAL PRODUCE.
Screening: Experimental short film and video from Portland, Oregon independent distributors, peripheral produce. Negativeland, Matt McCormick, Vanessa Renwick, Miranda July, Animal Charm, Scott Arford, and others.
All genres. 70 mins. Free.
Opening August 8th, 6pm Level One Metro Arts
For more information: Metro Arts tel 3221 1527
stephen@metroarts.com.au
30 July 2001
Arts Queensland funds Brisbane artists
A poetry-musical combination performance, workshops and courses, a culturally diverse performance event, and a Poetry Festival Documentary ...
These are the dreams of Brisbane artists that can now be realised with the assistance of Arts Queensland's latest monthly round of funding grants totalling $39,350 for 12 successful applicants.
Minister for the Arts Matt Foley said all these artists have diverse artistic needs that can be enhanced through small funding grants of less than $5,000.
"There are an impressive array of Brisbane artists out there, many of whom just need a little extra cash kick start to achieve their dreams," Mr Foley said.
The Lidija Cvetkovic Collective from Yeronga have received $4,990 to develop a performance piece combining participants' original poetry and music to be staged at festivals and writers' events.
"Combining poetry with music and performance, the group creates a new culture in the way people respond to and experience poetry and spoken words. Arts Queensland always encourages initiatives like these that move beyond traditional artforms," Mr Foley said.
The collective will make poetry more accessible by developing a theatrical, poly-vocal performance piece, "Cult", to showcase contemporary poetry.
Poet Jayne Fenton Keene, writer and musician Ross Smith and musician Roland Adeney join Lidija Cvetkovic to form the collective.
From poetry to education ... Jo Cruickshanks from West End has received $420 towards costs to attend an accredited short course in cultural planning.
Hill End's Anna Yen is also seeking to further her craft by using her $900 grant to attend a masterclass at the Australian International Workshop Festival in Melbourne.
The director, performer and physical theatre/circus/movement tutor seeks to deepen her skills as a director of professional and community based circus-physical theatre.
Ms Yen has already achieved considerable success with her one-woman show titled Chinese Takeaway about her grandmother, her mother and herself.
She has also worked for Rock'N'Roll Circus, Vulcana Women's Circus, Hands on Art and Backbone Youth Arts.
Film-maker Stuart Mannion, also from Hill End has received $4,000 to fund a documentary focused around the Subverse Queensland Poetry Festival 2001.
Stuart Mannion was a joint winner of the inaugural Leichhardt Video Poetry Prize in 2001 with "Pain Cycle", a video poem.
Mr Mannion will use the grant to make a project based on interviews and performances woven together with Roland Adeney's string music.
Community worker Laurie McLeod from Bulimba has received $2,800 to forge closer relationships between Murarrie School and its community by developing a culturally diverse performance event.
Ms McLeod is experienced in community cultural development, design and technical concept development, and will work with director/choreographer Brian Lucas on the project.
This community cultural development project seeks to use performing arts, specifically physical theatre and dance techniques to explore community identity and cultural diversity within the school and community.
It will result in Murarrie School having greater understanding of cultural practices for developing focus, self esteem, tolerance and conceptual skills.
"I congratulate all these wonderful Queensland artists, and look forward to seeing more of their work in, around and beyond the State's arts and cultural scene,' Mr Foley said.
Arts Queensland assesses Small Grants Rounds (under $5,000) each month. Artists can apply for funding in Arts and Cultural Projects; Business and Audience Development; Creative Partnerships; and Professional Development.
Natasha Pattison
Arts Queensland
27 July 2001
Symphony for a city
For the first time in Australia, a City will be presented with its very own Symphony.
An exclusive Queensland Biennial Festival of Music (QBFM) commission, the Rockhampton Gardens Symphony, inspired by all that is Rockhampton, will be performed for the first time on Sunday July 22.
Written by internationally acclaimed Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin, the work will feature text by Queensland's leading poet, Mark Svendsen.
Locals will be presented with this landmark work at the QBFM Rockhampton Gardens Symphony event in the Botanic Gardens starting at 12 noon.
Arts Minister, Matt Foley who launched the state wide festival in Barcaldine on Friday will also attend the Rockhampton festival events.
"The Rockhampton Gardens Symphony is an amazingly significant event, not only for Rockhampton but also for the state wide Biennial Festival of Music", Mr Foley said.
From noon until early afternoon, hundreds of the City's favourite musicians will perform in inviting, intimate "theatres".
Wander past diverse sights and sounds to the main stage for Australia's most exciting a capella group, The Song Company performing their highly entertaining Purcell to Pop program.
As the sun sets, the world premiere performance of the Rockhampton Gardens Symphony will resound across the Gardens and the mighty Fitzroy River.
Conducted by Roland Peelman, this impressive sound spectacle will feature Rockhampton's own international tenor, Christopher Saunders returning from London especially for the event, to join over 400 local musicians and singers on stage.
Other artists featured in the Rockhampton Gardens Symphony performance will be the: Capricornia Silver Band, Rockhampton Concert Orchestra, Rockhampton City Brass Band and a QBFM exclusive massed choir formed from members of the Rockhampton Musical Union, Central Queensland University Choir and The Rockhampton Big Marimba Band.
The Rockhampton Big Marimba Band involves local children and residents performing on marimbas they have built in workshops leading up to the Festival.
The Rockhampton Gardens Symphony, one of the first events of the ten-day Festival, showcases the strong community music-making theme of the QBFM.
The event is presented by the QBFM and the Rockhampton City Council and sponsored by the Stanwell Corporation Limited. Stanwell Corporation is conscious of its position as a major organisation operating within the Queensland community and takes a proactive role in supporting community, educational and tourism programs and events.
Elena Kats-Chernin is one of Australia's most acclaimed composers. Born in the former USSR, she left home at the age of 14 to study in Moscow.
After moving to Australia in 1975, she studied composition at the NSW Conservatorium and played her own piano concerto as her graduation piece.
Ms Kats-Chernin then spent over a decade based in Europe, returning frequently to Australia to performance of her work, which include large orchestral works, operas, several ballets, theatre productions and music for film. Most recently she composed the music for the "Deep Sea Dreaming" segment of Sydney Olympic Games. Her music was featured at the Musica Nova Helsinki in March 2001.
Russ Morgan
Dept of Employment, Training, Youth & Arts
20 July 2001
2001 International Gala
Six international and two national guest artists, representing some of the world's top ballet companies, will join Queensland Ballet in early August for the Company's fourth annual International Gala.
For the first time, dancers from a north American company will be joining the cast of the Gala. From the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto, Geon van der Wyst (formerly of The Australian Ballet) will partner Chan Hon Goh in the black swan pas de deux from James Kudelka's Swan Lake. In addition, they will perform a contemporary work by young Canadian Dominique Dumais, the only female choreographer represented in the program.
Other contemporary works in the program will include two pieces by German choreographer Stephan Thoss, danced by Masa Kolar and Zoran Markovic from Ballett der Niedersächsischen Staatstheater in Hanover.
Principal dancer of Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, Alen Bottaini, will perform a solo work by Ben van Cauwenburghe, and with his partner, Newcastle-born Sherelle Charge, will dance a work by Hans van Manen.
For the first time in the four years since the annual gala concept was introduced, the Company is delighted to be able to bring artists from sister company, the West Australian Ballet. Brisbane-born dancer Callum Hastie and Jacinta Ross will dance Ted Brandsen's interpretation of the celebrated balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet, as well as a contemporary piece by Royal Ballet dancer, Ashley Page.
In what has become a much anticipated annual event for dance lovers, the fourth International Gala offers an exciting selection of classical and contemporary works from seven internationally acclaimed choreographers plus new works from Francois Klaus and Queensland Ballet Principal Dancer Paul Boyd.
In 2001 the International Gala will be returning to Brisbane's best venue for dance, the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, for three performances only on August 3 and 4.