Media releases

A powerful essay about the future of regional arts in Australia will be launched at Federation University Australia on 20 and 21 February. 

The launches will take place on successive days at the University's Arts Academy in Ballarat and the Gippsland Campus.

Prolific Australian opera and theatre director Lindy Hume will speak to the current Australian regional arts landscape and open discussion on how to create opportunities to connect regional and urban arts communities through a truly integrated national arts landscape.

"This conversation is timely. The University features an aspirational creative hub poised to become more vital and creative as a result. My question is how can we amplify and strengthen our creative arts community," Bryce Ives, Director of the Arts Academy at Federation University Australia, said. 

"Free to the general public, this open conversation will create dynamic exchange between FedUni staff, students, and members of our local community."

In her Currency House Platform Paper, Restless Giant: Changing Cultural Values in Regional Australia, Lindy Hume passionately articulates the case for better understanding and greater flow between artists and arts organisations in metropolitan and regional centres. 

The metro-centric view of artists based in regional Australia as ‘poor cousins’ is, she suggests, badly mistaken and a lost opportunity. Hume charts this time as energising 'moment of emergence' for regional arts in Australia.

Lindy Hume will present her Platform paper, followed by a lively and provocative panel discussion facilitated by Bryce Ives and featuring:

Esther Anatolitis - Director, Regional Arts Victoria

Rob Robson - Manager, West Gippsland Arts Centre 

Dr. Tanja Beer - ecological designer and artist 

Jill Orr- artist and lecturer at FedUni

Bookings are free and community members are encouraged to book soon. 

Ballarat

Restless Giant: Changing cultural values in regional Australia

Public Discussion - Monday February 20 

Time 6.30pm to 8pm 

Venue:  Helen Macpherson Smith Theatre, Arts Academy, Ballarat

Bookings free. Tickets limited. Please e-mail j.devries@federation.edu.au

Gippsland

Restless Giant: Changing cultural values in regional Australia

Public Discussion - Tuesday 21 February

Time 6.30pm to 8pm 

Venue:  West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul. 

Bookings free. Tickets limited. 

Bookings: box.office@wgac.com.au or phone 03 5624 2456

Lindy Hume, Bryce Ives, and Rob Robson are available for media interviews.