Media Centre | Australia Council

Featured Media Releases

Creativity in schools essential to preparing young people for future uncertainty and change

21 Oct 2020

New research released today by the Australia Council for the Arts provides powerful evidence for the wide-reaching benefits of creativity in education. Cultivating Creativity: A study of the Sydney Opera House’s Creative Leadership in Learning Program shows creative learning approaches help build confidence, improve academic engagement and prepare young people for future disruption and change. It also transforms teaching staff and the school community. The report reveals that applying creativity has the potential to holistically impact children – academically, socially and emotionally - and enhance learning across a range of academic subjects.

Connected by creativity – Australia Council year in review

20 Oct 2020

The Australia Council has released its latest Annual Report, Connected by creativity, detailing its investment in arts and creativity that connected Australians during 2019-20. During a year of radical disruption, the Australia Council’s investment supported 21.1 million live attendances in Australia (prior to COVID-19) and 7,855 Australian artworks with a public outcome through an exhibition, performance, publication or recording.

Statement regarding Australia Council funding for IMMACULATE

07 Oct 2020

It has been suggested in some fora that the Australia Council has overturned a peer-assessed funding decision in relation to Casey Jenkins’ IMMACULATE. This is not the case. It has also been suggested that the Australia Council has made this decision based on negative media coverage of IMMACULATE, or because of government intervention. This is also not the case.

New protocols on First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property

29 Sep 2020

The Australia Council has today released updated Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts. The protocols address key legal, ethical and moral considerations for the use of Indigenous cultural material in the arts. Australia Council Head of First Nations Arts & Culture Patricia Adjei said the protocols are designed to promote greater understanding.

First Nations music survey identifies strengths and challenges

25 Sep 2020

A new survey of First Nations musicians provides timely insights into the strengths, challenges and needs of the First Nations music sector. How do First Nations musicians feel about the music industry? What are the key challenges and needs for the future growth of the sector? These were some of the questions explored in a new survey of First Nations musicians. The survey reflects respondents’ activities and attitudes prior to COVID-19.

Creating Our Future: arts and creativity increasingly important to all Australians

26 Aug 2020

Australians increasingly recognise the vital role of arts and creativity in almost every aspect of our lives, from education to mental health to strengthening local economies. New research from the Australia Council shows growing numbers of Australians agree arts and creativity build social cohesion and support health, education and the future economy – critical areas as our nation recovers from the impact of COVID-19.

Vale Paddy Garritty

24 Aug 2020

The Australia Council wishes to acknowledge the passing of Paddy Garritty and pay tribute to his prolific contribution to community arts that improved the lives of many Australians. Paddy was a founding member and long-term Board Director at the Footscray Community Arts Centre, and a major force in the revitalization of the Victorian Trades Hall. He led the introduction of arts and cultural activities, establishing the Trades Hall as an artistic and social centre within the Australian union movement. His work at the Trades Hall has been credited as one of the main inspirations for the Australia Council’s “Art in Working Life”, originally developed in the 1980s and continuing through the 1990s.

First Nations artists work to challenge stereotypes and break down barriers to audiences

17 Aug 2020

New research from the Australia Council for the Arts explores the perspectives of First Nations artists and creatives working in theatre and dance. Creating Art Part 1: The makers’ view of pathways for First Nations theatre and dance is the third in a series of in-depth research pieces commissioned by the Australia Council and is based on interviews with 45 First Nations artists and creatives.

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Biographies

Thea Anamara Perkins: 2020 Dreaming Award for an Emerging Artist

Thea Anamara Perkins is an Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman. Raised and based in Sydney, she has family ties to the Redfern community and engages with the area through her painting and installation practice. In 2018 she was a lead artist participating in the restoration of the iconic 40,000 Years mural in Redfern.

SJ Norman: 2020 Emerging and Experimental Arts Fellowship

SJ Norman was born on Gadigal lands, and has a Wiradjuri and Anglo-Celtic heritage. He is a fearless experimenter, a rigorous researcher, a critically engaged maker and a formidable performer. SJ’s practice spans installation, sculpture, fiction, essays, poetry, video, sound and performance, including significant pieces of durational work. His practice is both unique and vital to contemporary Australian art and critical discourse.

Lydia Fairhall: 2020 Community Arts and Cultural Development Fellowship

Lydia Fairhall is a Woromi woman. She is a theatre and film producer, a community arts and cultural development practitioner, a writer, an artistic director, a musician and more. She has programmed and produced countless shows, for the likes of ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Brown Cabs, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, Footscray Community Arts Centre and more, as well as taking titles such as JACK CHARLES V. The CROWN to international audiences.

Maree Clarke: 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Fellowship

Maree Clarke is a Yorta Yorta/WambaWamba/Mutti Mutti/Boonwurrung woman. She is an independent multi-disciplinary artist  and curator, with a 30 year history of working in the contemporary and cultural First Nations arts sector. Maree is a leading possum skin artist, also working with kangaroo teeth, echidna quills, glass, photography and more.

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