Next week is BIG. On Wednesday evening I join The Childers Group to facilitate ‘We Should Talk’ – a session for emerging arts leaders in the ACT. With this event the Childers crew are test-driving a new model of informal discussion and networking that they hope to manage alongside their major events and ongoing advocacy. […]
Tag: This Is Not Art
TINA Calling
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of This Is Not Art – you may recall me raving about it here back in 2009 and again last year. This year, being that I’m now on the board of co-directors, I feel I’m obliged to be a little less gushy. Or I oughta be. But I just […]
This Is Not Happening
This Is Not Art is in trouble. The iconic experimental arts festival that has electrified Newcastle every year since 1998 is under threat following an eleventh hour funding announcement of the not-so-helpful variety. Sheesh. When I took the gig as co-director of Critical Animals (one of TiNA’s sub festivals) I certainly never thought that a […]
Critical Animals 2011: Calling For Proposals
Nerd alert!! Critical Animals, the critical research component of This Is Not Art, is now seeking proposals for this year’s instalment of the festival. A coincidence that you are reading this now and that I am a co-director? Probably not. Hop on over to the CRITICAL ANIMALS SITE for all the whats, whens and hows. […]
I’m An Animal
A Critical Animal! Imagine my shock, delight and self-doubt attack when I was successful in my application to join the board of directors for the legendary This Is Not Art festival. Little ol’ me, and a twelve-year-old festival of radness. Hyperventilate now. Last weekend was the first TINA Org meeting for 2011, gathering the sub-festivals […]
TiNA Is For Lovers
TiNA. Seductive, bold, fiercely independent. Where have you been all my life? For twelve years now, every October long weekend, a DIY festival called This Is Not Art has shown Newcastle who’s boss. It was only last year that I finally cottoned on. With my first trip my impressions were that Newcastle was the Canberra […]
If You Build It, They Will Come: Renew Newcastle
More and more frequently these days, it feels as though Canberra is growing in reverse, heading backwards. As the city grows, you expect things to grow with it – but instead of more shops, restaurants, bars and venues opening more and more ‘for lease’ signs are popping up. Some places have been vacant for longer […]
TiNA Day 3: ‘Do It All’
A slow start today – thanks for nothing daylight savings! THE CRACK ATTIC First up is my panel – Review Review. I am assembled with three other arts reviewers and we spend an hour nutting out our purpose for being. It’s good to question yourself sometimes, but whether or not it was of any value […]
TiNA Day 2: Talk Fest Love In
DAY 2: SATURDAY It’s pouring outside. All the better for locking down and talking about the state of the arts in the cosy, albeit incredibly humid, indoors. TOTORO’S TEA HOUSE Punters who aren’t too hungover gather en masse at the tiny tea house to discuss DIY projects and Artist-Run-Initiatives. Among the panel are members from […]
TiNA Day 1: Is This Utopia?
First impression of Newcastle: it’s like the Canberra of my dreams. Two things that are refreshing about this city: The heady sea air Things have been allowed to grow old, therefore allowing the place to ooze character and charm What immediately struck me about This Is Not Art was how many spaces had been made […]
