Tag Archives: artreach queensland

Natural and Cultural Heritage Walks in East Gippsland

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Just returned from three delightful days in East Gippsland working with a local community group on reviewing and assessing a pilot natural and cultural heritage walking tour. What a beautiful part of the would and what stories it has to tell. Lots of potential here and can’t wait to get into the planning and further development. Working with local group FLOAT (wonderful people) under the auspice of AVP and their remit to support the sustainable communities. Thanks for the opportunity. More to come.

Kathmandu Adventure Update

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Eight months into the one year Nepal immersion adventure. As Tourism Development Officer with Budhanilkantha Municipality Kathamandu, I have had the great fortune of meeting and working with some wonderful people on some engaging projects. In the periphery of my role I have also connected with many great people who are doing extraordinary things in challenging circumstances. I have traveled around many parts of the country and experienced the diverse ancient and contemporary culture. What an adventure. In October i will be back in Oz to pick up the reins of aha!goodthinking. Looks like I’ll have to hit the ground running.

Creative Regeneration in Innisfail

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The newly established Innisfail Creatives Inc. now has a new strategic business plan to guide its program and key creative coordination and facilitating role in the Innisfail Community. Always a pleasure to visit, it’s also been a pleasure to have the opportunity to work on this brave new initiative. With strong community and Cassowary Regional Council support, ICI will do doubt be a valued addition and contributor to the arts and cultural landscape in the region. Thanks and good luck ICI.

A New Era For Cultural Development in the Gladstone Region

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The Gladstone Region is poised for a new era of Arts and Cultural development with the delivery of the new policy and plan. After many months of consultation, research and review the Plan, when finally adopted, will chart the strategic direction for development in the region over the next five years. The Region has a rich cultural heritage, an active arts and cultural program and more than its share of artist, artisans and arts workers. With well directed investment, arts and culture will sit comfortably alongside social, economic and environmental domains as the forth pillar of sustainability.

Cultural Adventures In Kathmandu

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In the spirit of cultural adventure, I’m off to Kathmandu, Nepal for 12 months working on a tourism development project with Australian Volunteers International. So, aha!goodthinking and ArtReach Queensland will be in recess until October 2019.

Currently I’m finishing off projects for Gladstone, Toowoomba and the Cassowary Coast and then it will be up and away. I’ll still be contactable via the goodthinking website and the ArtReach Queensland facebook page. I’ll continue to post resources for artists and arts workers as well as provide an update on cultural and creative adventures in Asia. I am taking bookings for projects and workshops from October 2019 when I return.,

Thank you for your continued custom and support. If you’re in the vicinity, do drop in.

Namaste
Stephen

The Australian Volunteers International Program is funded by the Australian Government.

Peeling the Onion on Artist Statements

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Last week had three happy days with the creative class in beautiful Hervey Bay. For this program we were exploring the theme of confidently writing and communicating about an arts practice. Bit like peeling away the layers of an onion to find a gem. Shocking mixed metaphor but getting to the heart and soul of an artist’s practice can be personally very challenging. But what success! Some very beautiful stories and artist’s statements; many of which were captured on video for web sites etc. Always a joy to visit this part of the world and have fun at work. Thanks to Melissa and the Hervey Bay Regional Council.

 

More Arts Business in Rocky

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Another great trip to glorious subtropical Rocky over the weekend. This time I was working with the hardy group of cultural champions on the finer points of writing about, documenting and presenting an art practice and the even finer but slightly more challenging topics of preparing budgets and managing finances. Had a happy time with this enthusiastic group and hopefully was of some assistance in helping them along the way to a sustainable arts practice. Thank you all for making the trip so enjoyable. Thanks again to Mark and Arts CQ and to Flying Arts Alliance.

Musica! is Vital in Gladstone

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Back in Gladstone last week in the glorious subtropical winter- catching up on all things arts and cultural planning. Lucky to be in town when the fabulous Musica! event was happening. Such a great buzz about the place with plenty of musicians and music lovers around town. Happily was able to catch the concert on Saturday night which was a joy –  a star studded cast including Stefan Cassomenos, a fine Concert Pianist, Claire Munting Mezzo Soprano, Liane Keegan Dramatic Contralto, MC & jazz diva Monica Trapaga along with Gladstone’s own Sim Kelly and Jessica Johnson. And great to hear that all the community workshops were over subscribed. Thank you to Cindi Bush and all involved in this hallmark event for the region.

 

Getting On With Arts Business in Central Queensland

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It’s a wonderful subtropical winter in Rockhampton and fortunately I had the chance to visit for the weekend and spend some time with an enthusiastic group of artists, writers and musicians. The hardy members of this creative group were keen to set up or further develop their arts business’ and gain a little more insight in to how to better connect with the arts business world and their customers. Lots of engagement and enthusiastic curiosity – just the energy and focus needed to enhance the prospects of arts business success.  Looking forward to coming back soon to complete the professional development workshop series. Thank you to Mark at Arts Central Queensland Inc. and Flying Arts Alliance Inc. Rocky is looking great and happily had the chance to drop in at the Cri and bask in many good memories of trips past.

Top picture: The old Court House, home of the new Smart Hub.
Below: The classic Criterion Hotel

Artists Doing Business on the Fraser Coast

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A great pleasure to be back in Hervey Bay early this week to workshop with the local creative clan.This trip, over a couple of days, we covered the principles of writing funding applications which have a greater possibility of success and demystified the mysteries of getting art to market. An enjoyable few days working the gorgeous subtropical winter with an enthusiastic group of visual artists. Happily also had the time to visit the wonderful Hervey Bay Regional Gallery – a real treat. Thanks to Melissa and the Fraser Coast Regional Council.