So you got the grant, what’s next?
A while back I wrote an op-ed on how to prepare a grant and work with a writer on crafting a decent application. Now let’s talk about getting the first successful grant and what to do and what NOT to do. It feels like winning the lotto 100%, but stuff has just gotten real and you’re probably totally wigging out now.
Flying Arts Alliance awards record prize pool for regional artists
The QRAA exhibitions I have seen are a strong reminder that remote and regional communities regularly produce outstanding artists. The judges, Jonathan McBurnie and Fiona Foley have, through their selection, highlighted that Queensland as a whole is home to stunning contemporary art practice.
“Join us for an immersive celebration of the indomitable human spirit.” Sophia Hodych on ‘Art of Courage'.
Ukraine has an unbelievably rich and complex history, some of it horrific and heartbreaking, some fun and heartwarming. Immersive theatre provides audiences with an opportunity to choose which scenes to see, what knowledge to gain and what emotions to experience.
Observatory Theatre: ‘What does theatre do in a post-truth, post-pandemic world?’
The Observatory Theatre team launched their 2024 Season at Yeerongpilly’s Studio1. Lachlan Driscoll (Creative Producer), Lucy Rayner-Toy (Associate Producer) and colleagues certainly have much to celebrate. In developing what Driscoll describes as ‘big, bold, ambitious theatre that responds to today,’ the 2024 Season focuses on supporting and developing new works, centred on their successful Telescope new writing program.
Five BrisFest Shows for your next mother and child date
Why not make your next mother and child date a show at this year’s Brisbane Festival and consume some live entertainment that you can pour over with a glass of wine post-show.
"The Festival will showcase the best and most innovative comedians and performers." Rosa Sottile on the 2023 Brisbane Improv Festival
This week we have some killer shows in a huge diversity of formats from horror to musical to drama to classic improvised comedy - it’s something for everyone!
“Going camp”: Revelations on craft, cringe, and queerness with writer and theatre maker Esther Dougherty
I don't think there's ever a point in any of my plays where a character actually tells a joke. It’s not them cracking jokes with each other; we’re laughing at them. It’s clown, and everyone is invited to uncouple from the profundity, the seriousness, to cleanse the palette.
The Elephant in the Review
Shows like The Bigger Picture have value whether a white reviewer approves of it or not. As much as I enjoyed it, my review is ultimately an incomplete understanding of the work, because I will never have the lived experience that would allow that level of depth in analysis.
"Anywhere Festival is all about discovering shows, places and people you wouldn't expect, where you wouldn't expect." Paul Osuch on this year's Anywhere Festival
Anywhere Festival is about bringing artists and audiences closer together—and it’s about showing there is a way for artists to create and develop shows without having to rely on the bricks and mortar performing arts complex.
Looking back and looking forward: Reflecting on the Meanjin arts scene in 2022
2022 was a massive year for the live arts scene in Meanjin / Brisbane. Art had helped the city cope with so much during the pandemic, and as the city emerged from COVID bubbles and restrictions last year, the arts scene returned to their old stomping grounds and creatives launched new shows, new venues, new festivals and a whole lot of excellent art.
La Boite Season 2023: Bolder and braver
When introducing the season, Stewart shared that she hopes that La Boite’s four main-house new Australian works will be the theatre classics of tomorrow. Stewart noted that it is, “… an entire season of necessary, never-before-seen work, brought to the stage by talented Australian artists and local creatives. From morality and betrayal, relationships and grief, identity and displacement, and crushes and cosplay, there is a show for everyone.”
The Fifth Annual Brisbane Portrait Prize Launches
Now in its fifth year, the Brisbane Portrait Prize has officially launched for 2023, with entries now open until mid august. The prize has quickly become one of the must see art exhibits in Brisbane, as it showcases some of our city's greatest artists.
"Our biggest and boldest season yet!" Lachlan Driscoll on the launch of Observatory Theatre's 2023 Season
I think seasons are a fantastic way to involve audiences more deeply in what we do as a company and also the shows themselves. The season becomes an invitation to get a bit closer. The curation of a season of work around a core focus is a chance for audiences to gain more meaning than if the shows were just standalone.
"This is for anyone with a smart phone, feeling a little bit less than." Charli Burrowes on her debut play 'Bloom Girl'
It’s a story about wanting to be loved (and 'liked'). With a few heartbreaks in my back pocket, I have combined my experiences of the digital dating scene to turn them into something a little fun, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
"It shows how much views are changing on sexuality." The cast of Blush on making a 'sexy adult circus' more subversive & inclusive
Some of the reviews we received had a bit of a stab at the male nudity, but not the female nudity, because Australian audiences especially are very used to women being sexualized in that way… And the success of the show sort of shows how much people are changing, like how much views are changing on sexuality.
"We were inspired to create an event that celebrated and centred the art of improvisation!" Rosa Sottile on the 2022 Brisbane Improv Festival
We were inspired by the New Zealand Improv Festival and other similar festivals to create an event that celebrated and centred the art of improvisation! Improvised theatre and comedy is so special because every show is completely unique and different - you literally will never get the same show twice.
"I’ve created these shows to ignite and spark conversations about young people and the adults in their lives." Virag Domby on 'Dear Adults' and 'What's for Dinner?'
There was no play medium out there that I felt resonated with my thoughts as young person. Certainly nothing that gave me agency. So, I guess you could say that I made it my mission to write and direct `works which give youth a platform for their voice to be heard.
"Backbone Festival is a testament to the resilience, creativity and abilities of young artists." Sampson Smith on the 2022 Backbone Festival.
It feels incredible to be a part of the beginning of their journeys, and it’s wonderful to see where artists and works from Backbone end up. I’m particularly excited about presenting the new work of our three Pilot Artists in Residence; Howling Jackals by Micah Rustichelli, Sad Boys Luv Art by Baby Blue, and Pierrot by Martelle Simon-Green.
"This has been years in the making and sharing it with our communities is also years in the making" Director Te Arepa Kahi at the local premiere of his film 'Muru'
For many indigenous māori whānau or families who have migrated to Australia, some even born here, any New Zealand film, theatrical performance, showcase or concert we choose to attend is such a privilege. It may arrive months later, but the support shown at Muru was one where these examples were evident. Why? They reconnect us to home, they remind us who we are as a unique individual and culture and they tell the lives we once left. They too portray us.
"It’s been (another) difficult year, and we all deserve a Happy Hour." Darcie Rae on the escapist joy of Glitter Martini's latest show
I have spent a fair bit of time thinking about capital A “Art” over the last couple of years, and the line between art and entertainment. I’ve landed on joy as being a perfectly acceptable reason for something to exist, and this show is a celebration of that. Also all the acts are themed around happy hour beverages.