Welcome to the last art at the heart e-bulletin

Almost 1000 delegates attended the 2008 Regional Arts Australia national conference in Alice Springs from 2-5 October. The size and energy  of the crowd reminded us all of the importance of this biennial gathering as a place for artists and arts workers from across the country to gather and exchange ideas about the role and future of the arts in regional Australia

Delegate feedback has affirmed that the most valuable part of the Regional Arts Australia conferences is the opportunity to meet and connect with people who work in the arts and share knowledge and skills.

“We at RAA are all talking about the best conference ever - a sentiment I know has been echoed by many of the delegates”. Suzie Haslehurst, President of Regional Arts Australia

“There were so many terrific sessions to attend and so much good feeling amongst the delegates; it was terrific.” Virginia Heydon, Manager Community Cultural Development, InCite Youth Arts

“I felt so proud of our community, seeing just how much we had to offer those lucky conference delegates.” Jenny Taylor, Alice Springs artist

“Great food, great support for speakers and presenters, excellent communication, lovely vibe and ... well, I could go on. And on.” Moya Sayer-Jones

“It was a very special experience for us, as it was one of the most generous, collaborative conference environments we've participated in and presented at - and we do a lot of media / TV gatherings / markets..” Carl Kuddell, Managing Director, The Hero Project

To stay connected when living in regional and remote areas is a great challenge and Regional Arts Australia conferences are a living network of knowledge, and exchange. To see and meet the many other people that are working to ensure the arts retain their vital place in regional communities across Australia is vital to reaffirming commitment to the arts.

Updated website

An Image Gallery with 300 images is now available for you to remember some of the great moments of art at the heart. If you would like to have one of these images sent by email, please contact anja.bretfeld@nt.gov.au and Anja will forward a high resolution version to you.

Many people have contacted us to get access to the opening and closing conference films, as well as the Indigenous keynote presentations. These films can now be viewed on the website.

Podcasts for the keynote presentations and conference sessions can also be downloaded from the website. The files are available in Window Media Player file format.

artpost

More than 300 artists have registered with artpost, Regional Arts Australia’s exciting new broadcast and on-line partnership with ABC TV. Many of you attended one of the presentations at art at the heart with the ABC’s Amanda Duthie and Jennifer Collins.

artpost is an unprecedented opportunity for regional artists to tell the world about their work. The process is simple – all the tools needed and a tutorial are at www.abc.net.au/artpost. Log on to the site and look at the posts that are already on the map.

ABC will screen some of the profiles nationally on ABC TV1 and ABC TV2.

For more information please contact Jennifer Collins at collins.jennifer@abc.net.au or (02) 8333 5259.

Big Story Country

Regional Arts Australia’s latest book of great art stories, Big Story Country, was launched during the conference. Each delegate received a copy and the book is now being distributed to libraries and regional arts offices across the country. Big Story Country and its predecessors Heartwork (2004) and The Great Yarn Event and other stories from regional Australia (1998) were produced in partnership with the Australia Council for the Arts.

You can now download Big Story Country as a pdf from RAA’s website www.regionalarts.com.au.

Cheeky Dog Bags

We’ve had inquiries about the Cheeky Dog bags with the beautiful artwork by young Tennant Creek artist Dion Beasley. Dion’s work has been exhibited throughout the Northern Territory and in galleries in other states, as well as overseas. You can order more Cheeky Dog bags and T-Shirts from www.cheekydogs.com.au.

Delegate Feedback

We at art at the heart are now in post event mode – evaluating and assessing. The delegate feedback forms are an essential part of this and we thank all of you who took the time to write down your comments. Your suggestions and comments will assist Tasmanian Regional Arts at the next conference in ensuring continued development.

Goodbye from the Conference Team

The art at the heart team would like to thank all of the staff at Arts NT, Regional Arts Australia Directors, the Alice Springs Town Council, the Executive Management Committee, the Local Engagement Group, the Indigenous Advisory Group, local arts organisations, local aboriginal people, artists, contractors and suppliers, who participated in making this conference a fantastic experience.

Thank you for everyone’s support and input throughout the last year.

Remember to look out for the Expressions of Interest for the 2010 Regional Arts Australia national conference in Launceston, Tasmania from August 27-29! www.tasregionalarts.org.au

Mark it in your diaries and we'll see you there!