November 3, 2022

VAPAC October E-News

News, Industry Events, VAPAC Events

The October E-NEWS Highlights

VAPAC Members Meeting #70

We had our VAPAC members meeting on the 11th – 12th Oct at Williamstown Town Hall. Across two days we heard from members and industry colleagues about how they’ve created space for new ways of working and the success stories this has led to.

The main theme of this meeting was a discussion around commissioning models, deeper collaboration with indie companies and artists, and direct engagement with the community. Guest speakers included Tarek Iskander from Battersea Arts Centre, Annette Downs from Performing Lines, and Tim Stitz from Back to Back Theatre. Panel discussions covered programming structures, new writing programs, curatorial vision, and more. We also heard updates from our Technical Managers and Box Office & Marketing subnetworks as part of the event and discussed VAPAC’s strategy for addressing staff shortages in our network.

Technical Manager Meeting

Our Technical Managers Network Meeting was held on the 2 – 4 October. It was an insightful discussion about various issues and topics currently impacting technical staff in our network.

This peer-driven support network for technical staff across the performing arts sector is important in connecting staff from venues across the state to share their knowledge and skills.

Thank you to all who attended. Keep an eye out for updates on our events planned for 2023.

Vale Sue Nattrass AO

‘Trailblazer for women in the arts and art itself,’
Since attending Melbourne University in 1959, Sue Nattrass AO worked her way to becoming a respected, inspiring and influential woman in the Australian Arts Industry. Sue used her knowledge/skills to provide leadership and mentoring roles, teaching and guiding others in the sector. Sue had an accomplished career taking on most senior roles in the industry, becoming one of the first women in Australia to be a Production Manager, Lighting Designer, Executive Producer and General Manager. Below is a list of just a few awards she received in her life celebrating her dedication.

– In 2001 she was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

– In 2002 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

– In 2006 she received the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Cultural Leadership Award from the Australia Business Arts Foundation, recognising her ‘contribution to the arts, and her impact and authority in many aspects of Australia’s cultural life over four decades’.

– In April 2007, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association.

Our deepest condolences to Sue’s family and friends.

Industry News & Opportunities

Cash back program returns – eat and play – anywhere, any day

Leadershift – Theatre Network Australia.

Dancehouse EOIs open now.

Creative Victoria’s new funding announced for live music.

Hi-Viz Satellites 2022 18 & 19 November.

Programmers, Presenters and Producers – be part of Honey Pot.

Burrinja and Vic Health partner to create a Queer Art Collective.

Industry Movements:

Virginia Lovett has been appointed Head of the Performing Arts Program at the University of Melbourne and will depart from her current role as the executive director and co-CEO at the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Jo Porter has been appointed the Executive Officer at RAV, taking over for Joe Toohey.
Josh Oliver has moved on from George Wood Performing Arts Centre at Yarra Valley Grammar, commencing his new role as Technical Operations Coordinator at Beaconhills College.
Tom Dickens has moved on from his position as Producer of Education, Development and Family Programs at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Tom will commence his new role as Creative Producer of The Channel at Arts Centre Melbourne.
Rowan Churchill has been appointed the new Coordinator of Performing Arts Operations at The Wedge Performing Arts Centre.
Jamie Smith departed from his role as Manager of Arts and Culture at Wellington Shire Council and has started as the Manager of the Creative City with Hobart City Council.
Andrew Thomson has been temporarily appointed Manager of Arts and Culture at Wellington Shire Council, with Niamh Hassett stepping into Andrew’s previous role as Creative Director of The Wedge Performing Arts Centre.