Meet community artists in Melbourne

‘The international context: community-based arts initiatives overseas’

Are you an artist or artsworker involved in community-based arts and community cultural development?

Are you involved with local government community and arts projects?

Victoria’s Cultural Development Network will present the final event of its 2006 public program Friday 8 December 3.30-5.30 pm followed by drinks and nibbles at the Conference Room, Meat Market, 42 Courtney Street, North Melbourne. (Mel ref 43 B5, or trams 55, 57, 59 and 68)

The informal afternoon will feature local artists and artsworkers who have recently travelled overseas to develop their skills and understanding of arts practice in diverse communities.

Liss Gabb, community artist, from the Arts and Culture Program at North Richmond Community Health Centre will describe her recent exploration of overseas initiatives of participatory arts in communities. Liss will focus on her experience with the leading UK company, One to One Productions, working with gypsy communities and former single industry communities experiencing third generation unemployment.

Andrea Kleist, Manager of City of Melbourne’s Public Art Program, will describe her visit to Japan on an Asialink arts management residency during 2006. In Japan Andrea worked toward the realisation of the 3rd Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial and investigated possible future exchange opportunities for Australian and Japanese artists.

Ana Vrantsis, Arts and Cultural Development Officer, Brimbank City Council will discuss her recent visit to England, Brittany and Portugal, where she observed the way communities participate in local celebrations, especially Chippenham Folk Festival, Fatima’s Day of Our Lady and Feast of Brittany’s patron saint St Yves.

Marcela Nievas, Australian-Argentinian photographer, performer, educator and CCD practitioner will describe her work in Spain and Ecuador over the past two years, working on community theatre and photography projects to consolidate the Australian model of CCD practice in a European context.

This event is free. Please RSVP for catering by Wed December 6 to kim.dunphy@culturaldevelopment.net.au or 9658 9976.

Fabulous sounding work – don’t you wish you were in Melbourne on 8 December? PWF would love to hear what’s going on in community arts ‘elsewhere’ around Oz??