2021
ANNUAL REPORT
Arts North West acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the lands we work on; the Country upon which language, arts and culture has been shared and practised for thousands of years. We celebrate First Nations people’s enduring connection to Country, to culture, and to community through their Songlines, and respect Aboriginal Elders past and present. PO Box 801 Glen Innes NSW 2370 16 East Avenue, Glen Innes 2370
t: 02 6732 4988 • m: 0428 042 622 • e: office@artsnw.com.au • artsnw.com.au • fb.com/artsnw • @artsnorthwest ABN 13 294 582 557
VISION
A vibrant arts and cultural landscape creating healthy, sustainable, and connected communities in the New England North West of NSW.
MISSION
To facilitate, support, and generate creative opportunities in the New England North West of NSW. 1
FROM THE CHAIR In my capacity as Chair, I am pleased to be able to present the 24th Annual Report, which again reflects a strong and stable organisation. I am pleased that the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are behind us and that we can now attend events, gatherings and celebrations together within our communities. With a mixture of emotions, I regretfully accepted Caroline’s resignation as the Executive Director of ANW in early May (2022). Caroline has been at the helm of ANW since April 2015 and has done a splendid job of managing our organisation, achieving numerous goals and collaborating with abundant organisations / individuals to benefit those living within the ANW footprint. Caroline is leaving ANW in a very strong and stable position. On behalf of my ANW Board colleagues, and ANW Strategic Advisory Committee colleagues I wish Caroline all the best with her new role at the Tuggeranon Arts Centre and next chapter in her journey. I extend thanks also on behalf of the ANW footprint communities and wider arts network to Caroline for her achievements and contributions during her time with ANW. I would like to acknowledge and give thanks to our other dedicated and passionate staff members, Stephanie McIntosh, Rhianne Dwyer, Chris McIntosh, Hayley Clark, Lorrayne Fishenden, Michael Burge, Michele Jedlicka and Miranda Heckenberg for their expertise, passion and innovative manner with which they delivered their contributions throughout the year. I also wish to formally recognise the contributions of all Board members and Strategic Advisory Council members for their participation and support. Their focus and diligence around ensuring that good decisions are made is greatly appreciated. We appreciate the support from our major funding organisation Create NSW and our peak body Regional Arts NSW. We also acknowledge the contributions made by our participating councils and look forward to working with them again during 2022 to further enrich the cultural landscapes of their communities. Finally, I acknowledge the support of all Members, thank you for your continued support. Our united goal of a vibrant arts and cultural landscape creating healthy and sustainable and connected communities in the New England North West of NSW remains the focus of our organisation. Anna Watt Chair, Arts North West
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Yet another year of COVID-19 disruptions. I am immensely proud of how Arts North West has risen to the challenge, how much support we were able to provide, and how many projects were still delivered. We pivoted; in fact, we pirouetted. Many of our projects in 2021 focused on the many aspects of recovery and resilience - from community inclusivity and connections, to planning for a postCOVID world. Funding from Create NSW for its Arts Restart initative was a bumper start to the year - with $130,000 of projects delivered right across the New England North West. It included building connections and creative content in our creative directory; live touring for an Aboriginal singer songwriting duo Bawi-li; a visit from the integrated dance and theatre company Sprung!, a micro music festival in Manilla and a number of residencies that linked creatives into museums and galleries. The highlight of this program for me was "Looking Both Ways " which paired writers and visual artists to explore their creative process and inspiration in a cross-artform collaboration. Our creative iso-projects continued to thrive - 300 sketchbooks from The Panorama Project headed on a journey to small libraries in our region. The Puppet Project was a fun initiative to encourage creatives to produce a short video which was judged by comedian and actor Damian Callinan (aided by Randy Feltface) who also made a very special FB video for us. The project was a bit of a hit as far as providing some diversion for some of our regional artists and community members at a time when we all felt so weary from the ongoing COVID crisis. A big thank you to the ANW team - Steph McIntosh, Rhianne Dwyer, Chris McIntosh, Michèle Jedlicka, Michael Burge, Hayley Clark, Lorrayne Fishenden and Miranda Heckenberg Their skill in managing to keep all the balls in the air while remaining cheerful has been very much appreciated. We would also like to welcome Augusta Ruthie McIntosh to the ANW family! Caroline Downer, OAM Executive Director, Arts North West Walcha Sculpture Symposium
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OBJECTIVE 1: CREATIVITY
Develop and broaden our diverse audiences and their participation in arts and cultural activities
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL SUPPORT Arts North West, through extensive community consultation and strategic partnerships, is working with numerous individuals and organisations to build and improve opportunities for Aboriginal arts and communities in our region.
Arts North West contracts 2 Rivers Pty Ltd to manage projects in its Aboriginal Cultural Support Program. Lorrayne Fishenden provides advice and assistance for Aboriginal artists within our region and regularly offers professional development opportunities through project funding. We also thank the 2 Rivers team for all their work behind-the-scenes. This program is funded through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program of the Federal Government. The highlight was the inaugural Aboriginal Leadership Symposium held at the Armidale Cultural Centre and Keeping Place 2628 April with key speakers Bibi Barba, Amala Groom, Jamie-Lea Trindall, Artists in the Black (Arts Law) as well as our own Loren Ryan, Buddy Hippi, Nate Weatherall and Lorrayne Fishenden. It was an important gathering of Aboriginal creatives to discuss issues that affect artists working in the region. We were also lucky to have Luke O’Shea and Kevin Bennett perform their song “Happy Australia Day”.
Len Waters at Terry Hie Hie
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Creative Projects in the Aboriginal Cultural Support Program also included: Portfolio Promotion Pitch: An initiative for 6 young emerging Aboriginal visual artists in the New England North West to develop their arts practice through PD workshops, mentoring and networking. Supported by Create NSW's Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund.
Mirii (Stars) is the result of a partnership between Arts North West and 2 Rivers Pty Ltd to provide some connection, creative and cultural inspiration in the community during the challenges of COVID. A small pack of canvas and paints were sent out to Aboriginal artists and community members across our 12 LGAs. The resulting exhibition opened at the 2 Rivers Creative Space in Tamworth early November.
“Bawi-li” was a regional tour to eight locations- Wee Waa, Moree, Toomelah, Tingha, Tenterfield and Walcha by the Tamworth Aboriginal female singer songwriter duo – Loren Ryan and Quarralia Knox. Six new songs were also written and recorded. Funded by Create NSW through its Arts Restart Program Yinaar (Kamilaroi for woman) is a creative exploration of Women’s Practices in the New England North West. The project is informed by documented research into traditional Songlines and story-telling of women’s practices, and with key engagement with our Aboriginal Elders, Knowledge Holders, and Community. This project was delayed with COVID but two creative residencies were held in Wallabadah and Somerton, with the exhibitions outcomes now planned for 2022. Funded by the Australia Council for the Arts.
Rivers to Ridges
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Miyaay Miyaay is the creative development of a work based on the Gamilaroi version of the Seven Sisters songline, and inspired by Country and the landscape of the New England North West. This project is focused on the central artistic collaboration between two key Gamilaroi artists – writer Cathy Craigie and dancer/choreographer Katie Leslie. Filming took place in Moree and Tamworth with First Nations community actors, and with the young girls’ dance group Yulugi Miramali, led by Shae Duncan, presenting some of the dance elements. Funded by NSW Government Creative Koori and Federal Government Regional Arts Fund.
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ENABLE ARTS EnAble Arts is a network of individuals and organisations who plan and implement a sustainable and supportive platform for arts and disability in the NE/NW region. Enable Arts is ANW’s arts and disability program which has been particularly difficult to sustain under COVID-19 health restrictions. Disability Confidence Training The Disability Confidence Training from Accessible Arts covered Legislation and statistics, Social and medical models, Language, etiquette and customer service and Barriers and solutions within the arts. Sprung! Integrated Dance and Theatre regional tour Two performances and workshops were held in Inverell and Armidale working alongside some of our key arts and disability community groups.
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ARTS NORTH WEST ON TOUR Arts North West On Tour (ANWOT) is a regional network of small-to-medium performing arts venues in the New England North West coordinated by Arts North West. It promotes and negotiates touring productions for its venues and provides touring resources.
Yet another challenging year due to COVID-19 health restrictions and lockdowns only two tours were able to go ahead. • Hellship - Michael Veitch's one-man show about the nighmare voyage of the emigrant ship Ticonderoga in 1852. Performances in Narrabri, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Quirindi, Inverell and Glen Innes. • The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow managed to complete its tour of the New England in two different parts of the year, straddling lockdowns. Shows were held in Armidale, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Tamworth, and Narrabri. POCKET PRODUCTIONS continues to address the need in our region for smallscale, bespoke productions and musical acts to tour to regional venues that do not have a dedicated performing arts venue. A successful tour of Shootin Sadie - a homegrown performance written and performed by Natasha Soonchild toured to six venues - Guyra, Currabubula, Kelvin, Yetman, Deepwater and Uralla.
2021 NETWORK MEMBERS Armidale - TAS Hoskins Centre Bingara - Roxy Theatre Glen Innes - Chapel Theatre Gunnedah - Civic Centre Inverell - Inverell Cultural Group Narrabri - Crossing Theatre Quirindi - Royal Theatre Tamworth - Capitol Theatre Tenterfield - School of Arts
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ARTS NORTH WEST CONNECT Arts North West Connect is an online creative directory and interactive arts trail developed in partnership with arts and cultural workers of the New England North West to better promote their interests in the region's cultural tourism.
In 2021, our focus was to build content for the new website ANW Connect. As part of the Arts Restart Funding from Create NSW, we placed 'Creative Champions' in each of our LGAs to make connections and encourage participation by artists. Local photographers were also employed to document the many arts events happening in our area. Our Snapshot Photographers were part of a small exhibition at the Civic Gallery in Gunnedah. ANW also partnered with Music NSW to support the employment of a Regional Music Officer for our region.
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STRATEGIC PROJECTS ANW strategic projects in 2021 focused on mental health, community connectedness and covid recovery. In the first half of the year, with Arts Restart funding from Create NSW, Arts North West delivered a series of Roundtables and Residencies, concentrating on the process of cross-fertilisation across artforms. Looking Both Ways brought visual artists and writers together to study creative inspiration and the interplay of text and image. Facilitated by key regional artists Angus Nivison (painter) and Sophie Masson (writer), 23 artists collaborated on a cross-artform project designed to engage new audiences, to support their creative development and practice and to build a strong skill-sharing artist network in the New England North West. In the Museum embedded five creatives into five small volunteer museums in our region – in Wee Waa, Emmaville, Tenterfield, Gunnedah and Hillgrove. Manilla Micro Music Festival saw sixteen artists perform at the April Festival. Delivered in partnership with Tamworth Regional Council, a small but enthusiastic audience attended the two sessions. Residencies included Reverse - a cross artform residency with NERAM/NECOM and Warp and Weft - connecting young Moree weaver Maisie Johnson with local Elder, Aunt Paula Duncan at the Bank Art Museum Moree We continued to build community participation with various ANW-initiated creative iso-projects. 300 sketchbooks from The Panorama Project toured the region through the small library network. The State Library of NSW has acquired around 20 of the books for its permanent collection so there will be a small slice of the New England North West represented in the national collection. The Puppet Project: Lockdown Edition 2021 gave artists and residents of the New England North West a fun and creative opportunity to express their ideas about lockdown resilience during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Actor Damian Callinan with help from Randy Feltface (Heath McIvor) judged the competition.
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OBJECTIVE 2: COMMUNITIES
Grow and support community cultural capacity
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS COVID-19 made face-to-face delivery difficult - many of our planned workshops were postponed, although a few did move online. In March we welcomed back Monica Davidson from Creative Plus Business who delivered four workshops in the region in Gunnedah, Inverell, Tamworth and Armidale as well as a facilitated session for the NENW Cultural Leaders Network. Michael Burge, ANW Tour Coordinator delivered four Managing a Simple Online Shop as a zoom workshop in August. Caroline spent a day in Bingara with the Old Courthouse gallery, delivering the Art Handling and Installation workshop to assist them in their inaugural launch in April. Our new set of Ten Top Tips videos focus on creative promotion, animated by Danny Stanley. These tips share the basic approach of journalism, marketing and communications for creatives. The animations can be viewed on our website www.artsnw.com.au/anw-eresources#/topten-tips-for-creative-promotion/ Art and About rolled out across the New England North West. These one-onone sessions with artists and arts organisations were an opportunity to discuss ideas and offer advice on a range of topics including post-COVID recovery, project management, planning, budget, insurance, promotion and marketing, and funding sources.
iMovie making workshop
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ADVICE AND ADVOCACY The Executive Director continues to work with a number of individuals and organisations throughout the region on funding applications, general enquiries, project development, resource referrals as well as numerous letters of support. Caroline continues with her Ministerial appointment to the Classical Music Artform Advisory Board for Create NSW. ANW hosted Create NSW visit to Armidale, Tamworth, Gunnedah, and Glen Innes. Caroline is a member of the Tamworth Regional Arts Advisory Committee, Tamworth Regional Inclusive Cultural Advisory Committee, Armidale Regional Council Arts, Cultural and Heritage Advisory Committee, and the Glen Innes Public Art Panel.
ANW MICRO GRANTS In September, Arts North West announced the following successful applications to the 2021 Micro Grant round. It was wonderful to see such diversity in creative practice. 1. Tania Hartigan, Liverpool Plains: Continue development of creating natural inks from native plants growing in this region. 2. Buluuy Mirrii, Tamworth: To prepare for the upcoming Fabrics of Multicultural Australia (FOMA) in 2021-2022 at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney. 3. Goldheist, Tamworth: Record a live acoustic EP of love songs. 4. Sophie Honess, Tamworth: To seek the services of A2 framing in Armidale for upcoming solo exhibition at Weswal Gallery, Tamworth. 5. Yulugi Marumali, Moree: To create dance tutorial videos that will include basic dance tips and terminology. 6. James O’Hanlon, Armidale: To buy supplies that will be used to prepare a series of entirely new artworks for exhibition. 7. Arushi Nayar, Gunnedah: Work on an artistic project about experiences of living on a farm. 8. Marianne la Cour, Glen Innes: To develop resources for future teaching. 9. Beattie Alvarez, Armidale: To write, illustrate and print a series of micro stories, based around the toys that I make. 10. Helena Pastor, Armidale: To cover the costs of an online writing course offered through Writing NSW and a new author photo. 11. Vicki Taylor, Uralla: Hire a video producer to produce a 10-minute video of local contemporary lace makers.
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OBJECTIVE 3: CONNECTIONS
Forge strong partnerships and networks across the region WEBSITE The Arts North West website provides a central resource for all things arts and culture in the New England North West and includes an integrated Arts Calendar where our stakeholders can submit their own events.
MEDIA Arts North West publishes a fortnightly enews highlighting events around our region and funding opportunities. A quarterly newsletter is distributed to our 12 contributing local Councils. We are also active on a number of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS ANW continues to manage a number of networks including Visual Arts, Writers, Enable Arts, Film NENW, ANW Connect, Museums New England North West, Aboriginal Artists and Arts North West ON TOUR. Partnerships in 2021 focused on strategic initiatives and included project delivery with organisations such as 2 Rivers Pty Ltd, Regional Arts NSW, Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance, Tamworth Regional Gallery, NERAM, and Music NSW.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ANW remains a strong advocate for arts and cultural development in regional NSW, working in partnership with all three levels of government. The Executive Director provides advice and input into strategies and initiatives across a number of portfolios. Caroline is proactive in the region, presenting to local Councils as well as judging various community art shows and competitions. This year, ANW has provided feedback and advice to Uralla Shire Council and Narrabri Shire Councils on Public Art policies, Glen Innes Severn on its Cultural Plan and Tamworth Regional Council on an Artist-in-Residency program.
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OBJECTIVE 4: GOVERN
Provide sound and effective corporate governance to ensure a sustainable organisation BOARD MEETINGS Arts North West Regional Arts Board met four times in Glen Innes, Armidale and by Zoom, providing oversight of the organisation’s finances, policies, and strategic direction. We also held two Strategic Advisory Council meetings for delegates to provide feedback and information to inform ANW's programming. At the AGM in May, we welcomed some new faces to the Arts North West board after saying goodbye to Sally Blackwood, Chris Newbigin, Hayley Ward and Len Waters. ANW would like to extend a big thank you for their dedication and commitment to the organisation. New to the board - Scott Pollock, Alistair Noble, and Carolyn Cooper.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT A full policy and procedures audit was undertaken.
STAFFING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Executive Director attended the Regional Arts NSW network meetings which are held three times a year. These meetings provide opportunities to engage with other RADOs from across the state and to meet with Federal and State departments and arts organisations. In 2021 the Network also met in Canberra where a number of meetings were scheduled with key government funding bodies as well as the National Gallery of Australia.
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2021 BOARD MEMBERS Anna Watt Peter Ross Carolyn Cooper Sandy McNaughton Vivien Clyne Lauren Mackley Alistair Noble Scott Pollock Sally Blackwood Chris Newbigin Hayley Ward Len Waters
Chair Vice-Chair Treasurer (from 21 May 2021) Public Officer (from 21 May 2021) (from 21 May 2021) Treasurer (to 21 May 2021) Secretary (to 21 May 2021) (to 21 May 2021) (to 21 May 2021)
2021 STRATEGIC ADVISORY COUNCIL Vivien Clyne Kay Delahunt Kate Dight Ian George Tania Hartigan Aimee Hutton Jennifer Kealey Lauren Mackley Tom O'Connor Rachael Parsons Scott Pollock Rebecca Ryan John Tramby Gary Verri Anna Watt Frances Young
Bank Art Museum Moree Tamworth Regional Inverell Shire Liverpool Plains Shire Wallaby Group Wallabadah Armidale Regional Walcha Gunnedah Shire Uralla Shire New England Reigonal Art Museum Narrabri Shire Gunnedah Conservatorium of Music Moree Plains Shire Tenterfield Shire Glen Innes Severn Gwydir Shire
2021 STAFF Caroline Downer Stephanie McIntosh Chris McIntosh/Rhianne Dwyer Michele Jedlicka Michael Burge Hayley Clark
Executive Director Communications Officer Administrative Assistant Projects Officer Touring Coordinator Finance Contractor
The delivery of the ANW Aboriginal Cultural Support Program is contracted to 2 Rivers Pty Ltd, and its Managing Director Lorrayne Fishenden. Miranda Heckenberg was contracted to assist in the delivery of various projects during the year. Sarah Leete is the Regional Music Officer employed by Music NSW
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OVERVIEW
PARTICIPATION IN ANW ACTIVITIES
32,805
Creative projects
27,111
Advice/Professional Development
5,694
Participation = 17.5% of population
ANW REGION TOTAL VALUE ANW ACTIVITIES
$634,684
$435,342 $111,550
Creative Projects Marketing
Professional Development/ Advice/Advocacy
$87,792
Area
98,574km2 Population
186,935 Area = 9,000km2 larger than Hungary
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
21,323
5,883 Number of responses 7,940 Number of website visitors 7,500 Social Media followers
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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
FUNDING PARTNERS CORE FUNDING Arts North West is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW
2019 INCOME INCOME
Arts North West is a member of
10% Earned Income 14% LGA Contributions 20% Create NSW
Arts North West acknowledges the contribution from our 12 Local Government Authorities partners in the New England North West 56% Project Funding
EXPENDITURE 2019 EXPENDITURE
PROJECT FUNDING The Aboriginal Cultural Support Program is Yinaar is funded by the funded by the Federal Government through Australia Council for the Arts the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program.
Earned Income 10%
LGA Contributions 14%
Project Funding 56%
Miyaay Miyaay was funded by Create NSW (Creative Koori) and was also made possible by the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia
Create NSW 20%
Audited Financial Statements are available on Arts North West website www.artsnw.com.au
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Portfolio Promotion Pitch was supported by Create NSW (Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund) The following projects were part of the COVID-19 response funding frm Create NSW - Arts Restart: Creative Champions, Snapshot Photographers, Regional Music Officer, Sprung!, Bawi-li, Looking both Ways, In the Museum, Manilla Music Festival, Warp and Weft
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IMAGE CREDITS Cover: Angus Nivison in his Walcha studio (photographer: C. Downer) p1: Katie Leslie at Boobera Lagoon (photographer: C. Downer) p2: May 2021 AGM in Glen Innes (photographer: S. McIntosh) p5: Eco-dyeing at Yinaar residency, Wallabadah (photographer: C. Downer) p7: Lorrayne Fishenden, Aboriginal Leadership Symposium, NENW Aboriginal Steering Committee in Armidale (photographer: C. Downer) p8: Yinaar residency at Wallabadah – Vicky Duncan, Tess Reading, Tania Hartigan, Avril Chapman, Adèle Chapman-Burgess (photographer: C. Downer) p9: Mirii supplies and artwork in Tamworth (photographer: C. Downer) p10: Emily Hungerford filming Shae Duncan and Katie Leslie for Miyaay Miyaay in Moree (photographer: C. Downer) p11: Yulugi Miramali dance for Miyaay Miyaay in Moree (photographer: C. Downer) p13: Sprung! Integrated Dance and Theatre Company in Inverell (photographer: M. Jedlicka) p15: Pocket Productions at the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame in Guyra (photographer: C. Downer) p17: Gunnedah Civic Art Gallery (photographer: M. Low) p18: Maisie Johnson – Warp and Weft in Moree (photographer: K. Tuart) p20-21: Looking Both Ways participants in Armidale (photographer: M. Jedlicka) p22-23: In the Museum (clockwise): Liz Powell - Tenterfield Railway Museum, Mike Terry - Hillgrove Museum, Alex Wharton - Water Tower Museum Gunnedah, Sarah Leete – Wee Waa Echo Museum and (photographers: M Jedlicka, C. Downer, M. Low) p24-25: Manilla Micro Music Festival (photographer: C. Downer) p26-27: Eliza Scott and Charlotte Low at NERAM, Sophie Masson and Angus Nivison in Walcha, Looking Both Ways, NERAM (photographers: C. Downer, M. Jedlicka) p28-29: Judges Randy Feltface and Damian Callinan for The Puppet Project; Ita Hanssens with The Panorama Project in Tamworth and its installation at Warialda (photographer: M. Jedlicka) p31: Art Handling and Installation in Bingara (photographer: C. Downer) p32: Art and About in Armidale (photographer: C. Downer) p35: Filming Miyaay Miyaay in Moree (photographer: C. Downer) p36: Cockatoo headbands for Miyaay Miyaay in Moree (photographer: C. Downer) p39: ANW Staff – Steph McIntosh, Lorrayne Fishenden, Caroline Downer, Michael Burge, Sarah Leete (Music NSW), Rhianne Dwyer, Michèle Jedlicka p44: ANW Collage (photographer: C. Downer)
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www.artsnw.com.au
2021
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