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art at the heart is the sixth biennial Regional Arts Australia national conference and will be held from 3 -5 October 2008 in Alice Springs
The Northern Territory Government is hosting the conference through Arts NT in collaboration with the Alice Springs Town Council. The Australian Government supports Regional Arts Australia’s national conferences through the Regional Arts Fund. The Australia Council for the Arts supports the artistic program for the conference. The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is supporting Indigenous participation in the conference. More information on partners and supporters is available here
News
Conference Sessions A total of 50 presentations have been chosen from more than 200 submissions, guaranteeing breadth and depth for the conference program. There will be interactive workshops, performances and cultural exchanges besides the more traditional conference presentations. Full details will be available once the conference program is launched in Alice Springs in late June.
Opening Ceremony This will take place before the backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges at sunset on Thursday 2 October, the perfect place to welcome delegates. The ceremony will be performed by the local Arrernte people and members of other Indigenous communities of Central Australia and the greater Northern Territory region. The area is an important spiritual site where several dreaming trails and stories cross. The ceremony will ignite the energies of delegates for three days of conference, festival and art.
Artistic Program A team of Northern Territory artists, directors, performers and producers with skills covering choreography, music, public art, beanie making, multimedia and installations will create what promises to be an exceptional program. More information on the artistic team can be read in conference director Kieren Sanderson’s diary notes.
Position vacant Arts NT is looking for an energetic production manager to complement the conference team in Alice Springs. The position will be full-time until 17 October 2008 and the successful candidate will oversee the technical and logistical management of the conference. This will involve liaising with presenters, performers and production companies and creating an operations manual and risk management plan for the conference. For the job description and selection criteria please contact the conference hub.
Registrations Open Earlybird rates will be available until 15 July 2008. You can register online on www.artattheheart.com.au. Please note that all registrations close on 15 September 2008.
Delegates will be able to check in from 9am at the conference registration desk on Thursday 2 October at the Alice Springs Convention Centre, 93 Barrett Drive.
New Artshub diary
30 April – Plenty of action
Artshub, the online magazine for artists and arts workers in Australia, is publishing updates from the conference coordinator and artistic director, Kieren Sanderson, about the daily challenges of organising a conference in a town like Alice. Other diary entries can be read here:
1 February - It's hotting up
19 December - The journey begins
The role of the arts in improving the lives of Indigenous Australians
An interesting event coinciding with art at the heart is a symposium led by Charles Darwin University to be held in Alice Springs on Wednesday 1 October 2008. The symposium will explore the role of the arts in aiding social cohesion. Looking into the future the symposium will ask: Can the public and private sectors and cross-cultural artistic ventures add to social cohesion? For more details visit the website or contact the Charles Darwin University on 08 8946 6202.
Other great things to do in Alice Springs before and after the conference
Alice Springs is alive with great cafes, thriving galleries, a wealth of bush characters and lots of adventure. Here are three suggestions of things to do while you’re in town:
Beanies, Baskets and Bushtucker
Share the stories of local Indigenous women and learn their skills of beanie making and basket weaving. Coordinated by the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, this cultural experience is held at the Alice Springs Desert Park every Tuesday and Friday. The women prepare traditional bush tucker including damper, kangaroo tail and billy tea to share around the campfire. Alternatively, try basket weaving with the Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Learn from Anangu women how to make a basket using desert grasses and raffia. Set in the Alice Springs Desert Park these morning workshops are held on Wednesday, 1 October.
Ballooning
A balloon flight is the perfect way to appreciate the vastness, remoteness and spectacular dawn colours of the Australian outback and MacDonnell Ranges. Wildlife, particularly kangaroos, are seen nearly every day as the balloon floats above spinifex grasses, mulga scrub and cattle stations. Afterwards, indulge in a gourmet breakfast in the iconic desert setting.
Camel rides
Discover everything you never wanted to know about these desert animals when you get up close and personal during a camel ride down the usually dry Todd River. Although their manners might not always be the best, there is no denying camels have character and a ride through the spinifex and across the river sand is a great way to start the day. The journey ends with an enticing breakfast back at the farm. If you’d like something more adventurous, organise an overnight bush camping camel tour that will take you through the West MacDonnell Ranges.
For more information visit www.centralaustraliantourism.com or ask Rebecca Watling and Rosemary Castro from Territory Discoveries, who will assist with bookings for accommodation and travel itineraries including flights, car hire and rail. They will also help you find discounted fares and provide advice on pre & post conference touring, accommodation and sightseeing.
When speaking to Rebecca or Rosemary on 1800 642 343 or groups@territorydiscoveries.com please quote art at the heart.
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Look out for the next e-bulletin in June
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