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NATIONAL STUFF

Australian Theatre Forum – the countdown begins
We’re now just five weeks out from ATF kick-off and the Forum is almost fully booked. Check out who’s coming at (link removed). The Forum has a remarkable range of speakers and facilitators from near and far: Yaron Lifschitz, Sandra Phillips and Lenine Bourke (Brisbane) and Kyle Morrison (Perth), Alison Croggon (Melbourne), Amitesh Grover (New Delhi), Kristine Landon-Smith (London) and many more. More infohere. One of the key features of this year’s ATF will be the Open Space Forums facilitated by Wesley Enoch, where participants take responsibility for driving the agenda and facilitating the conversations that matter.

Independent Producers Australia (IPA) National Summit. 13 Sept, Brisbane
A gathering for independent producers and arts professionals who identify with the role of the producer, and those interested in exploring a career as an independent producer in the performing arts. The program for this inaugural year is aimed at inspiring discussion about what is possible as an independent producer, and how to start a producing business. Helen Marriage will be the keynote speaker. Brisbane Powerhouse, 9.30am – 6pm. $75, $65 concessions. IPA members free.

Totipotent: National Youth Theatre Summit, 2–3 September
Aspiring theatre makers are invited to join a provocative exploration into the future of the theatre ecology in this country. Participants will have their say on the current environment of youth theatre in Australia and articulate ambitious possibilities for change and development. Matthew Lutton, Associate Director of the Malthouse Theatre, will be keynote speaker. St Martins Youth Arts Centre, 44 St Martins Lane, South Yarra.

DISRUPT! Creating new momentum: APACA Conference, 25 August
The annual APACA conference, running in collaboration with the Australia Council for the Arts Marketing Summit and the Blue Heeler Network Long Paddock National Touring Forum, is open to producers and presenters. First time attendees and producers with an annual turnover of under $100,000 can access a special rate via the APACA site: (link removed).

Crack Theatre Festival sneak peek: all white and middle class?
The program isn’t even out yet, but TNV got a sneak peak at the Crack Theatre Festival (from 29 September to 3 October), with an event to whet our appetites. It’s a panel session entitled, “Ummm, so why is everyone at this festival white and middle-class?”. Saturday 1 October, 5.45–6.45pm. The Crack House, Suite 40, Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle.

Black Writer’s Lab 2011: Writing for Theatre, applications due 10 August
The Black Writer’s Lab is a professionally tailored writing program targeting Indigenous artists seeking to develop their skills as writers and to progress their work towards fully developed performance scripts. The program supports new Indigenous writers for theatre and performance.

Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award: entries open
Applications are now open for 2011 for the development of a play or other approved performing arts project. The winner receives $20,000. Entries close 4 October 2011. Entry fee is $20.

Backbone Youth Arts 2high Festival artist call-out – applications close 19 August
Backbone is looking for applications from artists – creators, producers or performers – of all genres, for this multi-arts festival, taking place at Brisbane Powerhouse in October.

It’s Census time next Monday 8 August – remember to make the arts count!
TNV encourages all members involved in the arts to make sure their artistic occupations are counted for – and documented – in this year’s Census (the census is only conducted every five years). Work in the arts? Make sure you write it down. The census this year can also be done online.

Need some Census practice? Take TNV’s short survey!
TNV is still accepting responses for its Small to Medium Arts Organisation Remuneration Survey – five minutes (ten questions) to add your voice to a better understanding of our sector. We have nearly 100 responses already – let’s up this number before we close the survey soon! (link removed).

Producer Development Seminar Program: Adelaide, 18 August
Applications close this week for the joint AICSA/Live Performance Australia seminar program.

The Carbon Tax: An arts perspective
Guy Abrahams, Co-Founder of CLIMARTE, reflects on the frightening scientific evidence of climate change and the hope provided by the Clean Energy Future package announced by Julia Gillard. First published 15 July 2011 on ArtsHub (link removed).

Are you paying your contractors their superannuation?
The ATO has brought down new rules for superannuation that are already in effect. Essentially, most contractors in the theatre sector should be getting superannuation paid by the employer on top of their fee. Make sure you know the rules! If you pay your contractors under a contract that is wholly or principally for labour, you have to pay super contributions for them. This is even if the contractor quotes an Australian business number (ABN). These contractors are considered your employees for Superannuation guarantee purposes. The ATO also has a regular non-profit e-news bulletin, which often contains this sort of info – and it’s free.

VICTORIAN STUFF

Rights, Risks and Online: Legal tips for dance, theatre and circus artists FREE Co-presented by Arts Law Centre of Australia, TNV, Ausdance and ACAPTA, and featuring a presentation by senior solicitor Rebecca Laubi, this workshop for performers and dancers runs Thursday 22 September from 10am – 12pm. Incubator Performance Space, TNV, 228 Bank St, South Melbourne. Issues to be covered include copyright and moral rights in performances; issues about filming performances and making available online; and OH&S. FREE.

Australian National Academy of Music teams up with arts orgs for Community Day 2011: 14 August, 11am – 4pm
This year ANAM will also be partnering with the Australian Tapestry Workshop and the Butterfly Club, and Sparc Theatre Company will present a music project in progress, as part of its Community Day. The event kicks off at South Melbourne Town Hall.

TNV member giveaway: double passes to Geraldine Quinn – You’re the Voice (Songs for the Ordinary by an Anthemaniac) on Wednesday 10 August
Be part of the filming for one night only special presentation of the Geraldine Quinn’s award winning show, directed by Casey Bennetto. Quinn brings the powers of the rock anthem to the fore to celebrate the plain middle-of-the-road lives most of us lead. One night only. Bella Union Trades Hall, Cnr Victoria & Lygon Street, Carlton, 8pm. Five double passes to giveaway – first in, best dressed.

Victorian Writers’ Centre mentor opportunity: playwright Ned Manning Applications close 31 August. Mentorships offer playwrights the opportunity to work with Ned Manning, playwright, dramaturg, actor and teacher, as a mentor on a one-to-one basis over an extended period of time.

Applications for Arts Vic 2011–2012 grants now open
Grants available this cycle include: Arts Development; Community Partnerships; Contemporary and Live Music Development; Education Partnerships; International; Annual Operations; and Touring Victoria. Closing dates for most programs are in August and September 2011 with a second round of applications closing around March 2012.

Community Safety Fund Grants $10,000, Applications close 29 August
Councils, local business groups and NFP community organisations can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to assist them to fund various projects including installation of security lighting, padlocks, security screens, fencing or undertaking of awareness activities to deter crime and increase community safety.

Guest editorial on independent theatre: Robert Reid
Robert Reid: Grit Theatre is one of the exciting new independent companies having emerged in Melbourne over the last few years. Coming out of VCA’s Acting Studio Course, Laura Hughes, Thomas Browne and Clare Phillips produced their first show, Maelstrom in 2009. Working with together and in collaboration with other artists, Grit Theatre makes new work experimenting with movement, text, sound, space and design. Contemporaries of companies like Mutation, Slow Clap and MKA, they’ve produced three shows in Melbourne so far and their newest work, Pond for Melbourne Fringe, is to be eagerly anticipated.

INTERNATIONAL STUFF

33rd International Theatre Institute World Congress – China 19–24 Sept 2011 1000 delegates from around the world are expected for the biennial ITI Conference. International theatre associations, national politicians, World Theatre Ambassadors, Nobel Prize Winners, the leaders of UNESCO, the UN and of other international organisations may be invited as guests or as observers to the Congress.

INDUSTRY MOVEMENTS

Come Out Youth Arts Festival has announced the appointment of Noel Jordan as Artistic Director for 2013 and 2015. Noel is also on the YPAA Board and is treasurer for the ASSITEJ International Executive Committee.

Theatre Works welcomes Mark Crees as General Manager. Mark joins new Creative Producer Daniel Clarke for an exciting new era at this legendary theatre company. Mark was most recently Resident Producer at Auspicious Arts Incubator.

Malthouse Theatre announced last week the appointment of Van Babham as the company’s Associate Artist (Writing). She relocates from London where she is the Literary Manager of the Finborough Theatre, to begin the new role in early October.

Ben Laden moved from Courthouse Arts to take up the position of Director of Little Big Shots: International Film Festival for Kids.

Westside Circus would like to welcome two new members to the team: Beth King as the new General Manager and Krystal Maynard as the new Admin and Marketing Coordinator.