With less than seven weeks to go until hundreds of arts lovers arrive in Alice Springs for art at the heart, Regional Arts Australia’s sixth national conference, organisers have published an extensive program of events that will be open to the entire Alice community.

“There is real excitement in Alice Springs about this conference and we want to make sure that locals are involved in every way possible,” says the President of Regional Arts Australia, Suzie Haslehurst.

“While conference presentations and the welcome ceremony on Thursday evening are for delegates only, there are many free and ticketed events running throughout the conference period that are open to everybody,” she says.

“Part of the reason for staging the conference in Alice Springs is its national reputation as a centre for the arts. We want to maximise the opportunities for artistic exchanges and interactions between conference participants and local people,” says Ms Haslehurst.

A full calendar listing is available at www.artattheheart.com.au. Events include:

·          IMAGINE ALICE - from 11 September – Monday 6 October, Alice Springs will come alive with strange and wonderful art works, all linked under the umbrella theme of ‘place and identity’. The Convention Centre, Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, Crowne Plaza hotel, Araluen Arts Centre and the airport are just some of the venues hosting the works. IMAGINE ALICE is an initiative of RedHOT Arts and Watch This Space www.redhotarts.com.au

·          NGAPARTJI NGAPARTJI – Thursday 2 October, Friday 3 October and Saturday 4 October at Araluen Arts Centre. Ngapartji Ngapartji is an epic story of displacement as the Spinifex nation is swept up in the Cold War. It is written and directed by Scott Rankin and performed by Spinifex man and master storyteller Trevor Jamieson, with an ensemble cast of elders and young people from his community. This incredible story is shared in Pitjantjatjara and English, inviting audiences into an intimate and rare experience of culture through dance, story and song. For bookings Ph: 08 8951 1122

·          BA-DUM HEART CLUB is the evening hot spot open to everyone in Alice Springs on Thursday 2 October from 7pm and Friday 3 October from 8.30pm. The club will happen at Aunty’s Bar at Todd Tavern in the Todd Mall. Come and share the creative pulse.

·          Togart Contemporary Art Award - opening Friday 3 October, 6pm at the Araluen Arts Centre. 33 artists will present the broad range of cultural backgrounds from the NT and include many different art forms such painting, photography, sculpture and jewellery. This is the first time that the Award is coming to Alice Springs.

·          Indigenous Film Program – Thursday 2 October 1pm and Sunday 5 October 4 pm at Araluen Arts Centre will show Northern Territory Indigenous films and have the filmmakers discussing their works with the audience. This is free event and everyone is welcome to join.

art at the heart will open with a sunset ceremony on the banks of the Todd River in Alice Springs on Thursday 2 October and conclude on Sunday 5 October.

Further details www.artattheheart.com.au

Conference enquiries: Nicky Schonkala 08 8951 1152 

Media enquiries: Vivienne Skinner 0411 206 224

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. The Northern Territory Government is hosting the conference through Arts NT in collaboration with the Alice Springs Town Council.