Federal Government Announces Cash Splash for Local Creatives

BY LIZZIE COLE

The Federal Government's announcing a cash splash for dance in Newcastle.

Catapult Choreographic Hub in Newcastle West is one of 246 creative groups receiving Government funding across the country.

The funding will enable Catapult to facilitate opportunities for artists to create, collaborate and present new work while being financially supported.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says she's happy to see the boost for Catapult.

"We know that its been a really tough time and its a tough industry and tough sector, particularly in challenging economic times.  It's a real delight to provide some security of funding for Catapult." she said.

Catapult founder Cardi McCarthy and Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon

Singleton Residents Wanted for Gallery Advisory Group

BY RAVELLE EATON

The Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre is looking for community members to be a part of the Arts and Culture Advisory Group.

The group's aim is to support Singleton Council with its Arts and Cultural Strategy 2020-2030.

Council's Director Organisation and Community Capacity Vicki Brereton says it's also hoping to enhance involvement in the local community with connections between arts, culture and heritage groups. 

"This group is an extremely important touch point, working with us to support and promote our thriving artistic community and enhance cultural connections across our LGA," she said.

There are currently four Advisory Group positions available including two general community delegates, one delegate that identifies as having a disability, and one youth delegate aged between 16 and 21 years.

People who are interested in nominating can find out more at https://www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/publicexhibition.

Lake Macquarie talent to take centre stage in One Act Play festival

BY ALEXANDRA REES

Lake Macquarie Council is set to host a new theatre competition, to showcase talent from around the Hunter.  

The One Act Play Festival offers up and coming performers and experienced playwrights the chance to perform their original works. 

Council's Manager of Arts Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley says it's a chance to start building opportunities for the future.

"It's a really great opportunity to collaborate with different artists and to work under a director to be able to put those finer points on your play that you bring to the stage," she said.

"It's a great starting point."

Creators can enter by submitting information about their proposed play, including a script, time length  and the number of cast members involved. 

One Act Play Producer Niz Jabour says he's looking forward to the event.

"While there is no specific theme, I encourage those who apply to find inspiration from their own life experiences," he said. 

With a prize pool of up to $2,500, there are a number of prizes up for grabs for category winners, including $500 for best screen play, best actor on the night, and junior and emerging screen plays and writers. 

Scheduled for the 24th and 25th of February next year, Ms Hemsley says she'd love to see the festival stick around.

"In Lake Macquarie, we are really committed to developing the creative arts, in particular live performances and live music," she said.

"The One Act Play Festival is the first of its kind, but we will be wanting to continue this on every year to really build that capacity in the community." 

Applications for the event are now open and will close 5pm Friday 9th September.

People aged 10 years and over are eligible to take part.

Live Music and Interactive Art Imagined for Hamilton's New James Street Plaza

BY JENAE MADDEN

In the heart of Hamilton, work is currently underway to transform the James Street Plaza on Beaumont Street, set for completion mid-2021. 

The overhaul will see improved paving, new street furniture and fresh landscaping. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade will transform the plaza into a safer, inclusive, and inviting place for local businesses and the community.

“James Street Plaza is an important space in the Beaumont Street shopping area," the Lord Mayor said. 

“Throughout our community engagement and regular discussions with business owners we have heard lots of ideas of how to improve the space, and in particular address concerns about safety at night.” 

As well as community input, Newcastle Council have collaborated with the University of Newcastle and local historian Ruth Cotton, author of Hidden Hamilton. 

“Etchings on ground paving and signage in the plaza have been informed by Ruth’s extensive research of Hamilton’s history” Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said. 

Designs in the precinct will tell the story of Hamilton as a mining settlement, its rich European influence from the Lettopalena Italian migrant community and the impact of the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake, as well as honoring the land's traditional ownership by the Awabakal and Worimi people. 

The new James Street Plaza will include an interactive lighting display developed in collaboration with the Newcastle University, intended to spark interest and celebrate Hamilton’s unique character and heritage. 

"Upgrades to seating, paving and landscaping will better facilitate activation of the space for markets and live music," Cr Duncan said. 

Community feedback on the lighting concept options will be sought towards the end of the construction period. 

Image Credit: City of Newcastle

$1000 for Artist Design Chosen To Decorate Giant Black Wall at Speers Point Park

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A 10m exterior wall of the soon-to-be-built Multi Arts Place in Speers Point Park is poised to provide a giant blank canvas for artists, designers or other creatives.

Expressions of interest have opened for concept brickwork designs for the wall, with $1000 awarded to the selected entry.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said the facade will be constructed from a material that allows for creative applications and could be patterned to capture shadow and shade, incorporate a repeated motif or be a free form design.

“The design could also be a narrative that reflects Lake Macquarie’s natural environment or the City’s cultural and social heritage.”

More than 400,000 people visit Speers Point Park annually, with the precinct a focal point for major events, family outings and tourism.

Ms Hemsley said the new Multi Arts Place would be the first of its kind in NSW, if not Australia.

“MAP is designed as a multi-dimensional, flexible and intuitive multi-media creative hub, where even the exterior is a canvas for creative applications,” Ms Hemsley said.

“MAP will present a variety of creative performances, from theatre and live music to contemporary installations and immersive art experiences 24 hours a day, seven days.

“This is a unique opportunity for creatives to have their work become a prominent feature of the Lake Macquarie arts scene, and I strongly encourage artists to submit their design.”

Artists are invited to submit two concept designs for the blockwork to the external north facing wall of the proposed facility on a pre-scaled application form, and are required to include a statement describing their thematic approach and inspiration for the concept.

Applications close Friday 5 June 2020. Visit lakemac.com.au to download the information package and application form.

Pending approvals, MAP is expected to start construction in late 2020.

Work Begins on Art Gallery Expansion

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL AND CHLOE BURGESS-JONES

The first sod has been turned today at the site of Lake Macquarie Art Gallery's multimillion-dollar expansion.

The $2.3 million dollar project includes additional collection storage and exhibition space, new air-conditioning and a dedicated space for contemporary Aboriginal art exhibitions and programming.

The expansion is a key part of Council's Arts, Heritage and Cultural Plan, adopted by the city in 2017.

Mayor Kay Fraser said the almost 40-year-old gallery is a great looking facility but there is always more work to be done.

"We have a very large art and cultural community in Lake Macquarie and they have been asking for some time to extend our art gallery," said Cr Fraser.

"So it's a fair amount of money we're spending to expand it and to keep up with modern times."

Cr Fraser noted the expansion ties in nicely to Council's recently developed Night Time Economy Plan which hopes to encourage more evening events across the city.

"People who want to use Marmong Point and that area around there, when the new gallery is opened they'll be able to go there late afternoon and early in the night which will be absolutely fantastic," said Kay Fraser.

Project Manager Adam Gleeson and Construction Manager Adam Bailey join Mayor Kay Fraser for the sod turning. Photo: Lake Macquarie City Council

Hunter Arts Communities Look Out - Funds Coming Your Way!

BY ARIANA GATTI

Applications are now available to councils, as well as arts, screen and culture organisations around the Hunter to secure a financial share of funding from the NSW Liberal-National Government's Regional Cultural Fund (RCF).

Organisations and councils around the Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Port Stephens areas are being urged to submit their expressions of interest in the available $47-million funding pool, as part of the second round of the RCF.

Applications to enter opened on the 1st of July, and is set to close on the 21st of September, leaving plenty of time for local organisations to get involved.

The second round of funding will go towards infrastructure and re-development projects to improve current conditions of arts and cultural facilities across the Hunter region.

Projects which may receive some of the financial assistance range from new exhibition and performing arts centres and spaces, the refurbishment of libraries, museums and theatres.

Other local initiatives, such as grass-roots community projects and some sporting institutions may be included in the list of areas that need a little boost for the benefit of local communities.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, says how the funds would be distributed across the Hunter region is yet to be decided.

"It really comes down to the merit and worth of the projects, so it's too early at this stage to definitely say what areas will receive funding first", he says.

MacDonald believes the financial support will go a long way in keeping the appreciation of culture alive.

"There's a great history of arts and culture across the Hunter and we want to continue that as we know a diverse culture works best together, and the art's work very well to secure that", he says.

Image Sourced: https://www.theherald.com.au/story/2971517/hunter-school-of-the-performing-arts-7-million/undefined/