ZTN1
So I've decided to start a triannual newsletter. Why? Because I keep finding myself in the fortunate position of working with heaps of super great, talented people and I reckon it's pretty cool to be able to share their work with you. Also, freelancing is a little lonely sometimes and it's easy to forget what has happened in the past few months, so this might be a nice way to document and share those happenings, and maybe that will make me feel a little more connected to you in some minor/medium/major way. We'll see.
What I'll share in these newsletters:
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Could be some of the things I've recently worked on, whether art or arts worker related, and a few reflections;
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Projects by the individuals/community groups/organisations I've been working with (obviously with their permission);
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Any upcoming opportunities that might be helpful for those of you in the Arts.
If you're not into receiving this, that's totally fine. Just unsubscribe down the bottom there. If you are into them then yay, that's cute! And if you know anyone who might be interested, send them to my website where they can sign up. FYI, this one will be far longer than the rest of them since I'm cramming in a whole year rather than a third of a year.
Alrighty, let's get into it...
First
I live in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, a place that absolutely captivated me from the moment I came here in 2015. The beauty of this Country would not be what it is without the enduring work of the Arrernte people whose home I now live, uninvited, and whose practices have cared for and sustained this land for tens of thousands of years. For this, among other things, I pay my respects to First Nations people here and across the country, for the past and continuing work to protect culture, people and Country. I acknowledge the deep pain, both mental and physical, that colonisation has inflicted and stand in solidarity with all those fighting for justice.
Some things I've done this year
This has been my first year in full-time freelance Independent Arts Worker life. A friend recently asked how I'm feeling about it and I was pleasantly surprised to be able to say "I'm feeling good actually!". Not all of us are fortunate enough to afford this luxury of determining our own days and having flexibility and freedoms to, say, visit dear friends when they're struggling in the middle of the work day. And for this I feel super duper grateful. I also feel very grateful to my family for this. Both my parents have worked for themselves my whole life (apart from two stints by Mama which basically just solidified that working for others can be bloody tough), so thanks to them I've always understood the effort, hard work and freedoms that come with working independently. So thanks, Mama and Papa <3
But quickly, before I go on... Please donate to GUTS Dance's December fundraiser for their important Brave Bodies program!! Full details through this button ↓
Meeting in our virtual boardroom which unexpectedly has a sense of home now
Fyoocha Leedaz
I've been one of the lucky-duck "future leaders" in Australia Council's program this year. It's been soooo incredible meeting everyone and going on the intense residentials, both in person and online. Everyone comes from various arts backgrounds, bringing their own unique cultural, social, political experiences and holy moly, it's been big and great and scary and emotional and terrifying and totally amazing. 2022's applications have closed, but for anyone thinking about applying for the following year, I absolutely encourage you to do so. Hit me up if you're interested and want to know more – happy to chat :)
Meeting in our virtual boardroom which unexpectedly has a sense of home now
Video sesh with Jeremy
IRL sesh with Jamie
Fellowship & Other Support
This year I was extremely lucky to receive an ArtsNT Fellowship to develop my Arts Worker practice. Part of this has included having 2 mentors, Jeremy Smith and Jamie Toyne, who have both been amazing support. Jeremy is helping me with soft skills and relationship building in an interstate-capacity, while Jamie has been helping me work out how the hell to make this freelance-business-thing sustainable. I was also lucky enough to work online with Kerryn Miller (Melb) as a coach to help me navigate various challenges and build confidence (I'm still working on it, Kerryn, promise!). Recently, I have been touched to have Joanna Henryks offer me support as a coach here in Alice, which has been both beautiful and extremely helpful. If you're ever in need of support, absolutely get in touch with any of these people – they're all amazing and I'm so thankful for their knowledge, patience and care.
I ran some workshops
Also as part of my fellowship, I wanted to do some research on what our local arts community needs support with. So I asked them. One very clear thing that came out of the initial sessions between Independents and Organisations was that the indies really wanted practical skills development including grant writing, finances and marketing. I figured if that's what people have specifically asked for, I should try and deliver on that! I worked with two wonderful locals, Erin Chew and Jamie Toyne, for the Finances and Marketing workshops (respectively). They brought great knowledge and support to the sessions, for which I am very grateful. It was scary running my first workshops, but for the most part I think they went well. I'm looking forward to running more in the future. Shout out to Watch This Space for letting me host the workshops in their gallery space ^_^
Practicing Art
I published a book. It's called It's a bit tricky to visit each other right now and its aim is to "try and transport you to where I am through drawings and words". I sent a few hundred of these books to artists and peers I worked with during my time at Watch This Space, dropping them to people's letterboxes in Alice and posting them across Australia and overseas. I also donated 100 copies to Watch This Space where you can purchase a copy for $25 or get a special membership deal for $50 which includes the $35 annual membership and the book. If you'd like a copy (and a membership!), get in touch with WTS via email.
I had a solo exhibition. RAFT artspace presented A Portrait of People Caring About Things, exhibiting a project I've been thinking about for four years and finally executed in 2021. It involved in-depth chats with people in and around my life, talking about what they care about. 50.5 hours were spent chatting with 18 people, translated into 176 portraits. It was a very special process and I still feel very touched by the 18 participants and meaningful conversations – thank you, again. You can read more about the process on my website.
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Photograph by Sara Maiorino
Photograph by Martina Capurso.
I made some wacky hats. Made from 100% scrap, second-hand and recycled fabric, these Scrap Hats were made specially for the Hock This Space markets as part of my little sewing project, god of roger (website coming soon). We did a silly photoshoot with cute friends Dane (pictured), Léuli and Maddy, photographed by Martina Capurso, while Sara Maiorino took studio photos of the individual hats. Big thanks to Marti and Sara and the cutie models. You're all stars.
People & Projects I've been working with who I reckon you should know
The Black Wreath
I've been working with this mob since mid-last year and they've done a hell of a lot during this hectic time. Big achievements include: short doco featuring Lyentye Apurte band, Southeast Desert Metal (highly recommend – watch Desert Metal Dreaming on ABC iview); mini-onsite-festival, Down With The Ship, in place of their annual Blacken Open Air festival (cancelled by COVID); recently celebrating their 10th Anniversary! Big congrats to Pirate and all that have contributed to this amazing space. Soon we'll be launching Member$hips to help support their operations, so stay tuned...!
NAVA
You probs already know NAVA, but if you don't and you're working in the arts, get around them – they're basically our union. They've been doing some biiiig work revising their Code of Practice. Recently I facilitated a meeting to strengthen their standards around Independent Arts Workers. We had people from all over Australia, with everyone working in various roles – independently. It was a great chat with great recommendations made. You can read about the consultation meeting here >
Paul Ah Chee
You might recognise Paul from his 80s rockband, Amunda, or from his many contributions to the local community here in Central Oz. This year he launched his debut solo album, Nowhere To Hide, released independently through his label, Ngala Music. It's been a massive and exciting journey for Paul to get to this point, and I was touched to be a small part of the journey. You can buy the album online, order a fancy vinyl or CD!
Ghost Gum Rhythm & Blues
Sadly COVID screwed up some things for these folks this year, but we did at least manage to secure some funding for next year so that they can put on the beautiful, family and community-friendly one-night-festival out near Honeymoon Gap. If you're in town in autumn 2022, look out for this one. It's always so so stunning with great music and soul.
GUTS Dance
This is particularly good timing to share what these babes are doing because... we've just launched a fundraiser campaign! Building Brave Bodies will raise funds to continue their program that is supporting 12 young women experiencing disadvantage in our community, the majority of whom are First Nations. I'm on the Board of GUTS and I 100% believe in what they do. Whilst presenting super impressive contemporary dance performances here in Central Oz as well as around the world, they also develop vital projects for our community. Next year they'll celebrate 10 years of their incredible project, Alice Can Dance, which now supports over 250 public school students in the region, including young people out in Ntaria and, this year, young men at Owen Springs youth detention centre. This year they also premiered their
SPRING.LOADED.DANCE festival which was bloody awesome. I'm so so proud of everything they've achieved and I encourage you to donate to their fundraiser if you can. Donate here >
Alice Sings
This volunteer community choir fill a similar place in my heart to GUTS' Alice Can Dance program. They are all about uplifting community and welcoming anyone and everyone, no matter their musical experience. This year they performed at Darwin Festival as part of their Endless Sky Tour, featuring Paul Ah Chee (yep, that guy over there << who's also really great), Casii Williams, Resin Moon, Xavia, Bambadino and Edward Gould. Just this month, they had their end of year concert which completely sold out and brought tears of joy to many people's eyes, where choir master, Ed, got two standing ovations! Very well deserved, too, I might add. It was lovely to work with them and create some cute posters and designs for their projects.
Centralian Seedlings
My dear friend and native plant lover, Jorgen Doyle, started his own nursery this year. He grows 100% Central Australian native plants and jeez-louise it is so beautiful and amazing what he has been able to grow in such a short time. I was lucky enough to make his website which is cute and friendly just like Jorgen. If you're based in Alice and looking for native plants I absolutely recommend getting in touch with Centralian Seedlings. They have the plants as well as the hot tips to grow them.
And a few others I've been working with... <3
Some opportunities for you
BUILD UP
by Browns Mart Theatrefor NT Performing Artistscloses 21 Jan 2022
The Marten Bequest scholarships
by Australia Council for the Arts
for emerging artists
closes 1 Feb 2022
The Alice Prize
National Visual Arts Prize
$30,000 acquisitive prize
closes 13 Feb 2022
NT Ceramicists Expression of Interest
through Central Craft
closes 1 Jan 2022
Project Seed
by Red Hot Arts's Desert Festival
for Central Oz artists
closes 17 Dec 2021
GUTS are running a fundraiser, Building Brave Bodies, for the month of December with a target of $6,000. It's for a vital program - full details through that button up there. Please, if you can, donate to support their work. They do truly great, important and impactful things and I promise you, your money will go really far.
Thanks for reading my first triannual newsletter. Don't worry, the next one will be shorter 🙈
Zoya x