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Program & Speakers
The hub of the conference will be at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on Barrett Drive, set against the stunning MacDonnell Ranges. More information on the conference venues is available here
art at the heart will present a dynamic program of visual and performing arts, vital discussions and exchanges about the country’s artistic life, with a particular focus on regional Australia. The program explores the key themes identified by Regional Arts Australia as significant to the development of the arts for the one-in-three Australians that live in regional, rural and remote parts of the country.
The conference program for each day is available by visiting the following links:
More information about the presenters for each conference session is listed here
The themes are identified by the following icons for each conference session:
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Place and identity Storytelling is as old as human existence. Since ancient times it has been humankinds' way of connecting place and self. In the Central Desert region around Alice Springs, storytelling has been a central means of educating, entertaining and passing on the traditional stories of rich and complex cultures. Explore how the arts help explain and create a sense of place and identity in cultures across the world and how this connection influences policymakers, communities and individuals.
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Arts partnerships, collaborations and exchanges These days, being successful as an arts professional usually depends on negotiating relationships across education, justice, health, heritage, tourism and the environment. Not to mention the all too important partnerships with government, business and the philanthropic sectors. Making those relationships work for you means understanding differing business and cultural practices. The outcome is often a more dynamic and successful way of doing business. How are some smaller towns in regional Australia establishing themselves as vibrant cultural centres and how are those involved building those all-too vital community partnerships?
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Sustaining participation in the arts How important are bricks and mortar in sustaining the arts in regional and remote Australia? Is decent infrastructure essential to sustaining a flourishing locally-produced arts scene and/or attracting in product from elsewhere? What can you do to sustain a vibrant arts economy in your community and how do you bring in young people and provide them with skills and opportunities that keep them connected and can take them places? How do you keep older people engaged and keen to volunteer? How can successfully communicating your message help the policymakers get it right?
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Creativity, innovation and change Policymakers now realise that the arts are about more than having a good time. They are being widely recognised as a measure of community health and a tool to improve and even save lives. Share in some practical strategies about how the arts serve as a vehicle to address disadvantage. Discover how they are creating inspiring new work and new ways of working - as well as providing fun and entertainment. |
The Cheeky Dog icons are drawn by Dion Beasley, a young Aboriginal boy in Tennant Creek who is profoundly deaf and has Muscular Dystrophy. He uses drawing to communicate and to depict the many dogs that frequent the community. www.cheekydogs.com.au
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