Bundaberg Region Service Delivery in 2008
Creative Regions Ltd was contracted to facilitate the position of Community Cultural Development Worker (CCDW) for Bundaberg Community Development Inc (BCD) on a project and service delivery basis in mid March 2008.
The position was initially funded through a successful Regional Arts Fund grant that provided $50,000 over two years to support the CCDW position. The remainder of the funding for the position came from the Bundaberg City Council and Burnett Shire Councils split by population ratio. As the funding involved two Councils and due to the roles of the organisation in the community, the position was placed with BCD, operating out of the School of Arts. Post amalgamation, the Bundaberg Regional Council has continued to fulfil the obligations of the contract with the Regional Arts Fund, and the position has continued with BCD.
A work plan was created to fulfil the role from March until December 2008, when the 2-year funding from the Regional Arts Fund would cease. The following were the main provisions of the contract:
- Deliver weekly Culture ClinicsTM to assist individuals and organisations within the arts and cultural sector and provide information services.
- Develop Sector Plans that provide strategic projects for 2009
- Further the development of the Regional Cultural Foundation
- Investigate an appropriate model for a cooperative arts marketing initiative for the region
The following report demonstrates the outcomes for each of these projects and services including:
- 76 clinic visits or phone consultations through the Culture Clinic with positive outcomes
- A model developed for a Regional Arts Festival
- The development of an ongoing storytelling project with the Indigenous community
- Paperwork for the Regional Cultural Foundation completed ready for submission through the Cultural Foundation Working Group
- Completion of an Arts Marketing survey and report with recommendations
- A one-stop-shop website that is about to be developed by Creative Regions addressing some of the issues raised during consultation for the Arts Marketing Initiative.
The Bundaberg Regional Council has continued the funding of the CCDW position until the end of the 2008/2009 financial year, with budget consideration for the continuation of the position into the following financial year. Conversations with Council representatives have proved positive about the continuation of this funding relationship for the position. A Proposed Work Plan for the next 6 months has been included with this report. This work plan is based on the results of 2008 and takes advantage of opportunities in 2009.
Report on Culture ClinicsTM
A total of 76 face to face and phone consultations took place at Culture Clinics during 2008. There were nine main categories that the issues raised in the clinics fell into: funding, business development/ mentoring, career/professional development/ mentoring, talent sourcing, sponsorship, partnership development/ networking, marketing/promotion, infrastructure development and project/ event development. By far the highest priorities for the sector have been the sourcing of funding and assistance with project or event planning and development.
Some of the outcomes from clinic consultations in 2008 have been:
- Additional funding for projects in the region exceeding $100,000
- Advocacy and project implementation for the disability and Indigenous Arts sectors
- Coaching for several individual artists who are developing new projects for 2009/2010
- Matching of clients who have similar ideas and goals who can work together
- Promotion of local talent
- Employment of local artists and project coordinators
- Publication projects completed by local authors
- Networking between Arts Queensland and local RADF representatives
- The development of new projects for 2009 including the KITE Program (a theatre program through the Queensland Performing Arts Centre working with local schools); and the Christmas Windows public art project and an Artists Symposium, both projects of the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.
SECTOR-BASED PLANS
As part of our contract with BCD, Creative Regions embarked on a series of consultations with the Creative Industries (visual arts, crafts, design, heritage and events), Cultural Industries (music, theatre, dance, writing, multimedia, film and photography) and Indigenous Arts Sectors. It soon became clear that the issues being faced by the sectors were very similar. One common desire that was expressed by all sectors was the development of a festival that showcased the wealth of artistic and creative talents in our region, brought cohesion to the sector and offered educational opportunities to our community. The idea of a storytelling and potential theatre project with the Indigenous community was also raised. So it was decided that energy should be focused on these two concepts to build the capacity of the arts sectors in the region.
PROPOSED REGIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
Further consultations through a Festival working group and broader community consultation have led to the following recommendations for a pilot festival in October 2009, a month identified by the Mayor as ideal due to existing arts and cultural activity. This festival model proposes that it act as an over-arching promotional tool for existing arts and cultural activity in October and add new projects to that mix each year. Those consulted wanted to aim high and create a festival of national significance.
The workshop participants also strongly expressed that the festival should have one or more Project Managers (with experience in managing artform programs) employed to ensure the professional integrity of the festival. These could be individuals, businesses or organisations where the desired skills are available within our community. Paying for these services, even a project management fee to organisations, develops sustainability and ownership of the festival and an assurance that plans will be implemented.