Dear Arts Friends
The last weeks have been massive for the arts in Australia, with widespread announcements of closures, job losses, program changes, cancellations, funding redeployments, ministerial roundtables, and notification of the major Australia Council of the Arts’ multiyear organisational funding program, which has seen many much-loved arts companies missing out or being defunded as of next year. A perfect storm, in a time of global health and socio-economic hardship.
On Friday we received notification that we are one of 95 companies in Australia, successful in a massive year-long bid to gain federal arts funding support from 2021 -2024. We’d put forward a bold vision, new strategic plans, forward budgets and articulated the importance of supporting contemporary artists and the arts sector in the north through our future programs.
The Australia Council wrote:
Congratulations on your successful Four Year Funding (FYF) application to the Australia Council for the Arts.
Your Stage 2 application was approved by the Visual Arts Panel and endorsed by the Board of the Australia Council.
You were successful in a very competitive environment and we look forward to supporting the great work your organisation will deliver in the coming years.
When we embarked on the assessment of multiyear funding for 2021-24 the seismic impacts of COVID19 had not been imagined, let alone hit our communities, society and sector. In light of these impacts we have had to rethink how we best assist the sector to navigate through the challenges posed by the current crisis. While we realise there are no perfect solutions, we have taken a number of steps to mitigate the damage and contribute to the short to medium-term feasibility of the sector. In this context, we will offer reduced funding in 2021 to organisations approved for funding in the 2021-24 FYF program. This will allow us to provide support through to 31 Dec 2021 to many of the current FYFOs that were unsuccessful with their applications for 2021-24 FYF.
While, the above announcement is extremely positive news for the arts in Far North Queensland and a massive relief for this organisation, following years of financial hardship and limitations, the elation is dampened by a sobering reality of the number of defunded organisations, the implications of that for future programs and the increased challenges faced by all now.
(412 organisations initially applied, with 162 invited to submit full applications. A stark reminder of a pattern of underfunding in the arts, witnessed in 2015 when 65 organisations lost federal organisational funding. In fact, this industry has consistently been calling on the Government to top up its arts funding over the last years. Recent analysis shows that the Australian Government is committing 18.9 per cent less expenditure per capita to arts and culture than it did a decade ago and that expenditure as a percentage of GDP remains below the OECD average.”[1])
We empathise with the huge undertaking of the pool of national arts experts, and thank the peer assessors and Australia Council staff who no-doubt rigorously assessed all applications, then delayed the announcement in light of COVID-19, to work to redeploy funds where possible and create a new Resilience Fund in these challenging times.
Over the past weeks, NorthSite has joined with peak bodies and other organisations, creatives and artsworkers to put forward recommendations to the initial Australian Government COVID package announcements, ensuring our casual workforce and freelancers are not missed.
Given the financial and implicit value of arts, the sector has called for a necessary stimulus package specifically for the arts – to ensure a creative future in Australia. Creative Industries leaders have met with the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and put forward a united proposal for a targeted support package, (2% of the industry’s $111billion contribution to the economy). This industry specific-package would save thousands of jobs & companies, ensuring that the sector is able to support the nation as it emerges from COVID-19. So far this has not been considered by the Government.
You can read the open letter sent to Ministers and MPs signed by 130+ artists, collectives and companies including NorthSite here. Below is a letter sent to relevant MPs for this region, prior to the final day of Australian Parliament on 8 April until August 2020.
We’ll keep working to support artists up here, rejig our programs and stand united with the rest of the arts & cultural sector and wider Australia at this most difficult time.
Keep an eye out for new programs and conversations with artists over coming weeks.
Take good care.
Ashleigh Campbell and team
RESOURCE LINKS FOR ARTISTS OF THE NORTH:
See Visual Arts Advocacy and surveys for completion:
For a full roundup of actions taken by National Association for the Visual Arts and Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance see the following links. Artists, musicians, writers, performers etc, all creatives who’ve list work are encouraged to complete their surveys.
- Affected as an artist or worker in the museums and galleries sector? See https://visualarts.net.au/advocacy/industry-advisory-note-covid-19-response/and complete this survey.
- Lost work in the media, entertainment or arts industries? See the campaign and assistance pages here https://www.meaa.org/campaigns/coronavirus/ and complete this MEAA survey https://www.meaa.org/coronavirus-survey/
See Arts Hub coverage on the 4 year funding topic:
See Australia Council for the Arts’ response package and sector information including a guide for navigating government assistance:
https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/funding-index/2020-resilience-fund/
See Queensland-specific information and Arts Queensland support for artsists:
https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/about-us/coronavirus-covid-19
[1] The Big Picture, public expenditure on artistic, cultural and creative activity in Australia | A New Approach | Australian Academy of the Humanities
Image: Glenn Sloggett, Lose, 2019. Photo by J Forsyth. Copyright remains with the artist, used by NAVA to accompany the industry open letter to Parliamentarians.
ANNOUNCING BULMBA-JA ARTS CENTRE
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
New name, new artworks and new vision for Centre of Contemporary Arts Cairns
The Palaszczuk Government’s $5.9 million refurbishment for the Centre of Contemporary Arts Cairns (CoCA) will see the cultural facility re-open with a new name and new vision.
While visiting the region, Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch revealed the new name of the refurbished arts centre will be called Bulmba-ja (pronounced BULL-im-baa-jar), a name selected by the Traditional Owners peoples of the region from both the Yirrgandydji and Yidinji groups, meaning house.
“The meaning of the name Bulmba-ja is highly appropriate for the site’s new focus as a place for the development and presentation of new work, particularly contemporary First Nations work” Ms Enoch said.
“This multi-million dollar revitalisation of the Bulmba-ja Arts Centre is the latest investment from the Palaszczuk Government into arts and cultural initiatives for Cairns and far north Queensland region, including $15 million for the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, support for a revamp of the Munro Martin Parklands, and funding for artists and arts organisations based in the region.
“This means support for more jobs, artists and arts and cultural workers in the region.”
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the Bulmba-ja Arts Centre will be an ongoing home to JUTE Theatre Company and NorthSite Contemporary Arts (formerly KickArts), along with new tenants Miriki Performing Arts and The Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts.
“Exciting new projects will be presented at Bulmba-ja in 2020 and beyond, showcasing the work of indigenous artists and providing a place for visitors to engage with arts experiences,” Mr Healy said.
“Along with a vibrant and welcoming new look, Bulmba-ja incorporates a Yarning Circle and Elder’s lounge along with a unique integrated LED facade which will display a series of five digital artworks over 2020, commissioned by NorthSite Contemporary Arts.”
The first two works to feature on the facade are from artists Bernard Singleton (Umpila, Djabuguy/Yirrganydji) and Carl Fourmile (Yidinji).
“I’m working with drawings on photographs of the Inlet and this Country, Gimuy,” Mr Fourmile said.
“I love to be able to network and share with locals and the wider community about culture and our beliefs, so people can have a bit more understanding about this Country, and what it is to be a Bama person.”
Fellow artist Bernard Singleton said, “My design is Dadikal – the fishbone totem. Symmetry in initiation and protection by our totems binded in ochres.
“I see works on this scope as a grounding within the arts community and seeing how different approaches can portray a true connection to Country and community.
“This is an example of when respect, engagement and understanding results in showcasing traditional connections to Country,” Mr Singleton said.
Bulmba-ja includes a new foyer, improved theatre and gallery access, flexible office space, upgraded theatre equipment and new studio spaces for arts participation and development activities.
AS ONE DECADE CLOSES, ANOTHER DOOR OPENS
As we approach the end of the year I’d like to thank you for your patience during this unprecedented transition.
We’ve had some false starts in terms of timelines for re-entry to the Centre this year, which has stretched our team and affected several planned exhibitions, but we are doing well in the circumstances. Thanks to the professionalism and flexibility of the artists of the north.
I am very proud of our staff and Board who have been resilient and committed as we’ve prepared to expand and retracted with building delays. Thank you.
This consolidated time has however allowed us to lay foundations that will serve us well into the future.
This week we submitted our final application for 4-year organisational funding through the Australia Council for the Arts. (A highly competitive, two-stage process for top Australian arts organisations, for which we made the first cut. More here
This week I also spoke at the international Communicating the Arts Conference about change and agile leadership alongside museum professionals from across Australia and the globe.
As we know, change the only constant in life, so as I lead this much loved organisation into the next decade, we’ve decided to be bold and brave and embrace change to give us and artists from this region the greatest opportunities for success into the future. Stay tuned.
In the coming weeks, we’ll put together an overview of some of the wins and magic moments of KickArts in 2019 in our space on Lake Street and offsite locations.
I want to personally thank every one of you that has supported us this year by buying art, renewing your membership or attending events. Also, I’d like to say a massive thanks to our first Patrons who have made fully tax-deductible donations to support our organisation at an integral time.
The instrumental support of the northern arts community has made a world of difference in a financially and operationally challenging time. Thanks also to those who’ve recently been in touch to volunteer, we’ll be forming teams as we stage the move home once final dates are known.
We also thank Arts Queensland and Cairns Regional Council, Mama Coco and The Wine Tradition who have supported us to continue to operate the KickArts shop and deliver events and Creative Programs at our pop-up space The Hive, throughout the renovation.
We are very glad to announce our partnership with Cairns Novotel Oasis Resort who are happy to provide our members with a special room rate. Contact us if you’d like to take advantage of a local ‘vaystay’ and resort swims in the centre of Cairns, as summer heats up.
We are currently working on an exciting evolution in terms of our brand, to reflect the changes that have been taking place with our organisation and with the new build. We are creating a brand identity that will best fit and reflect our organisation and equip us make our artists and audiences intervisible into the future.
I look forward to sharing more and boldly stepping into the next decade with you.
All my best, Ashleigh [with high fives to and from Rebecca, Rosie, Wilma and Bec]
A NEW ERA FOR NORTH SITE
Things happen differently in the North.
We have been pushing boundaries and defining the rhythm and the tempo at our own pace and with our own approaches to aesthetics and culture for many years.
As KickArts approaches its third decade we again refine our focus and reposition ourselves to best serve the contemporary artists of our region into the future and provide transformative experience for our wide audiences.
With vast distances and diverse artistic stories to share, it is important that our leading arts organisations are listening and agile and responsive to creative needs, creating new opportunities for artists to engage and extend their practice. That’s why we are embracing all the change and have listened to our existing and potential friends and supporters.
We are launching in 2020 with a fresh face and new name that is reflective of our place and focus.
Increasingly we are shining the spotlight on artists of the north, both looking back and re-articulating little known artistic success stories and forging boldly forward with new projects, collaborations and research. We are here to help contextualise, develop, market, celebrate and profile the incredible diversity and artists of the North.
We are of the North and for the North, increasingly looking north, east and west, across the waters off the edge of this vast continent, tracing connections and fostering exchange and opportunities for our contemporary artists.
Our programs decentralise curatorial models and allow for greater amplification of voices and experiences. We bring people up with us and co-produce projects through meaningful and proper engagement. Providing unparalleled inspiration and experiences for artists, supporters and audiences.
We want you to be part of this next exciting chapter as we create the future of visual culture in the North together. We will continue to operate our retail arm NorthSite Store (formerly KickArts Shop) as a social enterprise, supporting over 200 artists and designers each year and reinvesting all profits from sales of original works of art back into artist’s pockets and programs for our communities.
We look forward to welcoming you to the new North Site galleries within the renovated Centre of Contemporary Arts for the first celebration of many in early 2020.