Look forward to spending some time in Longreach over the next few months working on the Youth Development Plan for 2017 – 2022. An initiative of the Longreach Regional Council, the plan will provide a directional framework to inform planning, decision making and resource allocation consistent with the needs and interests of the young people in the region. I’ll be looking at the primary and secondary research underpinnings of the plan, including a great deal of consultation with young people and community stakeholders. A great job with the potential to contribute to a successful plan that will make a significance difference to the lives and wellbeing of the young people in the region.

Congratulations to artist Mary Elizabeth Barron and Elysha Gould from Flying Arts for the successful completion of the Sam Rit Artist Residency Program in Thailand. This project was cooked up 18 months ago as a business innovation and outreach project for Flying Arts and a great career development opportunity for a Queensland artist. The cultural exchange project saw Mary working alongside the women of the rural Sam Rit area sharing and exchanging their creative skills and turning recycled materials into arts and crafts products. A wonderfully successful project for Mary, the Sam Rit villagers, the Australia-Thailand Institute via DFAT (who funded the project) and Flying Arts. Planning for Stage 2 of the project is now underway.

An inspiring couple of days working with two courageous and enterprising Brisbane women going through all the right steps to set up a sustainable arts business.  Business planning can be tough going but these hardy committed artworkers were more than up to the task. With careful thought and good planning it’s possible to make any great idea happen. Look out world, this one’s going to be a winner. Good luck Natalie & Robbie.

Just returned from the Sunny Coast where I met with my research colleagues in the Faculty of Arts & Business at the University of the Sunshine Coast. We’ve received a research grant  to develop a new model to measure the public value – and return on investment – of the Sunshine Coast Council’s investment in arts, culture and heritage. There is lots of interesting material to draw on but the plan is develop a new model that will be useful for the SSC and adaptable to regional areas. Exciting times ahead.

Great to be back in St George to finish off the series of arts business development workshops. This week we brought all our efforts together to make a business plan. It can be tough going but participants all earnestly beavered away on their  plans. There are some great ideas and hopefully the enthusiastic efforts over the three workshops will bring great success. Thanks to St George Arts Council and thank you to my workshop friends. BTW when in St George make sure you have a look at Handmade – original, distinctive locally created arts and crafts. Brilliant.

While I love to travel the State and work with the regional arts and cultural champions, it was a welcome change this weekend to spend a day working with the artists and arts workers of Brisbane and surrounds. What a  wonderful group of practising artists and crafters, keen to learn how go about setting up a professional arts practice and to turn the things that they love to do into a successful business enterprise. With an understanding of business principles to go with their obvious passion and dedication, it’s all very possible establish a sustainable arts practise. Thanks to host Flying Arts & good luck all.

Just back from a week working out West where I got to revisit some old friends in familiar places and some new friends in a place I haven’t stopped before. Always a joy to drive around Maranoa and this time I was workshopping in Mitchell, Roma and, for a first, Yuleba. Writing successful grant and funding applications was the topic of the trip and once again I had the pleasure to work with the community and cultural champions from around the region. Good work everybody and good luck with your projects.

Happily spent another few days in St George undertaking the second workshop in the Getting Your Art to Market arts  business series. Still pretty hot out that way but our hardy group of participants were undaunted; eager as ever to come to grips with the mysteries of marketing. Once again the local Arts Council did a great job of local coordination and hot as it was, it all went like a breeze. Thanks, see you in a few weeks.

Yes, it was hot but that’s not all that was cooking in Cooktown. Over two days the cultural and community heroes of the region come out in numbers to participate in grant writing and project management workshops. It was wonderful to experience Cooktown again after five years (QMF@Cooktown – see pic) and a great pleasure to spend  quality time with such a hardy, committed  enthusiastic  group. Still one of my favourite places.

Happily spent another 24 hrs in Quilpie working with the local cultural champions on the review and development of the RADF program. Loads of great passion and enthusiasm for keeping the culture vital. With the Arts and Cultural Plan just about in place, local priorities will be at the forefront of future projects and activities. A cultural oasis.

Post Script: Woohoo – the Arts & Cultural Plan was passed by Council and we’re on our way.

No dragons in St George, just a wonderful group of enthusiastic artists, artisans and artworkers keen to learn more about how to go about setting up a professional business. This is the first of a series of 3 workshops on how to develop your arts business idea and to get your wares or services to market. A great couple of days. Thanks St George Arts Council; look forward to my return soon.  I’ll bring some more rain!