- Hape Kiddle opens Bidgee Studio
- Share your view of Leeton
- Automata for the People
- New work from dead poet
- Notes from Dream Big 2014
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Top five stories for 2014
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Friday, 28 November 2014
Dream Big 2014: DIY Public Relations
Western Riverina Arts' communication officer Jason Richardson shared his experiences in public relations at Dream Big in 2014. Watch the video to hear his presentation and read more below.
Communications is a broad subject, today will focus mostly on public relations and a bit on marketing.
I have around 20 years experience in writing about the arts. My first articles were published in BMA Magazine in 1994, including reviews and interviews with my friends' bands.
One thing I like about my work promoting the arts in the Western Riverina is that it's a lot like the work I did for BMA. I speak with people about their enthusiasms and I think a key part of doing this is by conveying this enthusiasm.
PR is often disparaged, people think it's manipulative. I'm going to argue it's important for artists as much as anyone promoting their work or event.
Obviously it's a great tool for marketing but good PR changes perceptions. For artists, writers and anyone in a creative pursuit this is valuable.
The feedback I get from helping people see their story in the media is that they get a great response from family, friends and colleagues as a result.
This is great because it makes your creative pursuits more valuable. You're no longer nurturing a dream, you're living it. Recognition in the media is recognition that your investment in something you enjoy is valuable.
And as media organisations cut budgets for journalism, PR becomes a key part of producing news content.
It's estimated there are as many people working in public relations as journalists. Many media outlets run PR material as content.
A study in 2010 found around half of the content in newspapers was driven by PR, from 42% in Sydney Morning Herald to 70% in The Daily Telegraph.
In my view public relations is the skill of making media want to tell your story. There are many ways to do this and today I'll offer a few ideas on how to create a compelling narrative.
Storytelling is fundamental to this pursuit.
There's an apocryphal story that the popular author Stephen King knows what will excite audiences, what will make their hearts beat, because he keeps the heart of a child in a jar in the top drawer of his writing desk.
If this wasn't just a story, I'd guess that many journalists would keep a turd in the top drawer of their desk because anytime they're presented with a story idea one of the first questions they'd ask themselves is "do I give a shit?"
In fact, earlier this year I heard an editor who handles content for a few of Australia's leading youth media websites talk about rating stories on a "give-a-shit-o-meter".
There's no simple answer to give your story this element, which is also known as sticky-ness. Sorry, I realise that's not a great image at this point.
One method that's been good for me when I want to figure out what the key element of a story should be is to talk about it with a friend or write down dots points. Simple but both of these techniques change your relationship to facts as you start to arrange them to form a narrative.
Science shows that vocalising and writing activates different parts of the brain, so you're actually creating new connections in your brain.
Another is a form of market research, ask a friend or colleague what they think is distinctive in your work. You might be surprised at the perspectives.
Most people are resistant to categorisation but being able to quickly articulate your brand is key to communicating your work. When I was promoting local musicians it was essential to have three or four words that described their material.
And, or course, a simple shortcut to convey this character is comparison but I will say more about influences in a minute.
First, some encouragement.
You mightn't realise it but being a regional artist offers you a major advantage when promoting your work. Local media love stories about local people. They really do give a shit.
And, when you've had a story about your work, you can be pleasantly surprised by who else cares too.
When the media show an interest in your work, it legitmises it.
The challenge is to give them your information to journalists and editors in a way that they can see a story in it.
A media release is a good way to present information to the media and has become standard practice for good reason. It takes the format of a news story, presenting facts in an objective format and gives you some control over how these are presented.
A media release should convey five types of facts, which all start with the letter W: who, what, where, when and why.
If you've read a news story then you'd be familiar with the inverted pyramid model, which presents the key facts that support the story in the opening sentences. This would include the who, what, where and when. For example, Jason Richardson will lead a workshop at the library on Saturday.
You can see these facts, while important, are only a small part of a story.
It's the why aspect that follows is what I think provides the opportunity to share your shit.
Outlining previous successes will make your art seem important. If critics have said nice things or other artists have talked about you as inspiration, then that can be good material.
It's critical that you make it interesting because it's the chance to motivate people, but it's also a great spot to educate an audience about your work.
Discussing influences is a good subject because it provides context for your art. It doesn't need to feel like airing dirty laundry, it's about informing the audience. Share your inspiration. It can inspire others but it can also interest them in learning how you've responded.
I think it's a shame more artists don't acknowledge their influences and inspirations. There's an idea that one can "steal like an artist" but it baffles me that in almost every academic pursuit one is expected to reference the ideas and work that has informed a project, except in art.
Every superhero has an origin story that explains their superpowers and pursuit. It's no different if you want to create a compelling narrative.
Another feature of stories is a setback that offers and unexpected opportunity to enrich the hero. I'd argue that acknowledging your own narrative can benefit from sharing these lessons.
There are other angles and it can be surprising what gains traction.
One instructive experience for me was talking with an ABC Radio National producer last year about Western Riverina Arts' Reimagining the Murrumbidgee exhibition. We'd collected a group of innovative artists to create works responding to the River, which I thought would be of interest because of the uniqueness of the concept. The producer suggested it would be more interesting to her audience as a topic for talkback radio if we asked for people to share their experiences at rivers.
I was surprised because it looked for how to make the subject accessible rather than focusing on the material.
This lesson was one I applied recently when helping Leeton-based writer Melanie Ifield to reach an audience in Canberra. Mel has a book set in our national capital and I suggested we open a piece on her work by saying how misunderstood the city is because of the politicians with which it is most associated. It helped to make her story relevant to the audience.
Another lesson I learned through promoting Mel's books was timing. She'd published three books in 2013 and I thought this was newsworthy in itself. However the local newspaper sat on the story for more than a month and I realised it lacked a use-by date. The books weren't being launched, so there was no urgency for the editor to publish it.
Usually the time between sending a story to a local paper and being published varies between one to three weeks, so ensure you allow time.
And, if you can, include a good photograph as an image makes your story stand out on the page. They like a shot with the subject looking at the camera, and this makes sense as it engages a viewer.
If you can't write, don't be afraid to call and speak to a journalist directly but it helps to have your key points written down in front of you to help ensure you stay on topic.
Communications is a broad subject, today will focus mostly on public relations and a bit on marketing.
I have around 20 years experience in writing about the arts. My first articles were published in BMA Magazine in 1994, including reviews and interviews with my friends' bands.
One thing I like about my work promoting the arts in the Western Riverina is that it's a lot like the work I did for BMA. I speak with people about their enthusiasms and I think a key part of doing this is by conveying this enthusiasm.
PR is often disparaged, people think it's manipulative. I'm going to argue it's important for artists as much as anyone promoting their work or event.
Obviously it's a great tool for marketing but good PR changes perceptions. For artists, writers and anyone in a creative pursuit this is valuable.
The feedback I get from helping people see their story in the media is that they get a great response from family, friends and colleagues as a result.
This is great because it makes your creative pursuits more valuable. You're no longer nurturing a dream, you're living it. Recognition in the media is recognition that your investment in something you enjoy is valuable.
And as media organisations cut budgets for journalism, PR becomes a key part of producing news content.
It's estimated there are as many people working in public relations as journalists. Many media outlets run PR material as content.
A study in 2010 found around half of the content in newspapers was driven by PR, from 42% in Sydney Morning Herald to 70% in The Daily Telegraph.
In my view public relations is the skill of making media want to tell your story. There are many ways to do this and today I'll offer a few ideas on how to create a compelling narrative.
Storytelling is fundamental to this pursuit.
If this wasn't just a story, I'd guess that many journalists would keep a turd in the top drawer of their desk because anytime they're presented with a story idea one of the first questions they'd ask themselves is "do I give a shit?"
In fact, earlier this year I heard an editor who handles content for a few of Australia's leading youth media websites talk about rating stories on a "give-a-shit-o-meter".
There's no simple answer to give your story this element, which is also known as sticky-ness. Sorry, I realise that's not a great image at this point.
One method that's been good for me when I want to figure out what the key element of a story should be is to talk about it with a friend or write down dots points. Simple but both of these techniques change your relationship to facts as you start to arrange them to form a narrative.
Science shows that vocalising and writing activates different parts of the brain, so you're actually creating new connections in your brain.
Another is a form of market research, ask a friend or colleague what they think is distinctive in your work. You might be surprised at the perspectives.
Most people are resistant to categorisation but being able to quickly articulate your brand is key to communicating your work. When I was promoting local musicians it was essential to have three or four words that described their material.
And, or course, a simple shortcut to convey this character is comparison but I will say more about influences in a minute.
First, some encouragement.
You mightn't realise it but being a regional artist offers you a major advantage when promoting your work. Local media love stories about local people. They really do give a shit.
And, when you've had a story about your work, you can be pleasantly surprised by who else cares too.
When the media show an interest in your work, it legitmises it.
The challenge is to give them your information to journalists and editors in a way that they can see a story in it.
A media release is a good way to present information to the media and has become standard practice for good reason. It takes the format of a news story, presenting facts in an objective format and gives you some control over how these are presented.
A media release should convey five types of facts, which all start with the letter W: who, what, where, when and why.
If you've read a news story then you'd be familiar with the inverted pyramid model, which presents the key facts that support the story in the opening sentences. This would include the who, what, where and when. For example, Jason Richardson will lead a workshop at the library on Saturday.
You can see these facts, while important, are only a small part of a story.
It's the why aspect that follows is what I think provides the opportunity to share your shit.
Outlining previous successes will make your art seem important. If critics have said nice things or other artists have talked about you as inspiration, then that can be good material.
It's critical that you make it interesting because it's the chance to motivate people, but it's also a great spot to educate an audience about your work.
Discussing influences is a good subject because it provides context for your art. It doesn't need to feel like airing dirty laundry, it's about informing the audience. Share your inspiration. It can inspire others but it can also interest them in learning how you've responded.
I think it's a shame more artists don't acknowledge their influences and inspirations. There's an idea that one can "steal like an artist" but it baffles me that in almost every academic pursuit one is expected to reference the ideas and work that has informed a project, except in art.
Every superhero has an origin story that explains their superpowers and pursuit. It's no different if you want to create a compelling narrative.
Another feature of stories is a setback that offers and unexpected opportunity to enrich the hero. I'd argue that acknowledging your own narrative can benefit from sharing these lessons.
There are other angles and it can be surprising what gains traction.
One instructive experience for me was talking with an ABC Radio National producer last year about Western Riverina Arts' Reimagining the Murrumbidgee exhibition. We'd collected a group of innovative artists to create works responding to the River, which I thought would be of interest because of the uniqueness of the concept. The producer suggested it would be more interesting to her audience as a topic for talkback radio if we asked for people to share their experiences at rivers.
I was surprised because it looked for how to make the subject accessible rather than focusing on the material.
This lesson was one I applied recently when helping Leeton-based writer Melanie Ifield to reach an audience in Canberra. Mel has a book set in our national capital and I suggested we open a piece on her work by saying how misunderstood the city is because of the politicians with which it is most associated. It helped to make her story relevant to the audience.
Another lesson I learned through promoting Mel's books was timing. She'd published three books in 2013 and I thought this was newsworthy in itself. However the local newspaper sat on the story for more than a month and I realised it lacked a use-by date. The books weren't being launched, so there was no urgency for the editor to publish it.
Usually the time between sending a story to a local paper and being published varies between one to three weeks, so ensure you allow time.
And, if you can, include a good photograph as an image makes your story stand out on the page. They like a shot with the subject looking at the camera, and this makes sense as it engages a viewer.
If you can't write, don't be afraid to call and speak to a journalist directly but it helps to have your key points written down in front of you to help ensure you stay on topic.
Thursday, 20 November 2014
Everything is Pozible
Now Western Riverina Arts want to help you to realise your own dream project.
"Pozible is an Australian website which has a great reputation for supporting a wide variety of endeavours," said Derek Motion, Regional Arts Development Officer at Western Riverina Arts.
Crowdfunding is an online phenomenon where you attract lots of little donations from a big group of people. "This month Pozible have seen pledges to the tune of a record $2429 per hour, which shows there is a community who want to help make dreams into realities."
Pozible ambassador Suzanne Nguyen will lead an introductory workshop at The Brett Naseby Gallery on Thursday that will discuss how to seek crowdfunding for your own art and community-based projects.
Ms Nguyen is no stranger to Griffith, having run an exhibition at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery earlier this year. Joining her will be Neil Bull, who raised over $50,000 to fund a local project to protect an endangered Australasian bird, see www.pozible.com/project/186259
The Western Riverina Arts crowdfunding workshop will start at 6pm on Thursday, 27 November 2014. Light refreshments will be provided on the evening, please register your interest at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/crowdfunding-workshop-griffith-tickets-7404873175
Monday, 27 October 2014
Self-publishing history in Leeton
For Prosperity's Sake is a pilot project that will see Western Riverina Arts (WRA) partner with Leeton community groups, including the Returned Soldiers League, Country Women's Association and Rotary, to deliver a self-publishing project for seniors and also inter-generational schools-based art workshops.
The overall aim is to produce a collaborative oral history archive. The archive will be available online as audio and visual slides, transcribed as individual self-published booklets given to each participant and as a compiled book.
Ms Cooper has run self-publishing workshops in Leeton during 2014, as well as art and craft activities for children and seniors. The final outcome of For Prosperity's Sake will be launched at a public exhibition and screening in May 2015.
"We'd like to hear from you if you're over 60 years old and interested in sharing your story," said Derek Motion, WRA Regional Arts Development Officer.
"To begin the project Louise Cooper will liaise with Sue Gavel from Leeton Rotary, and also meet with representatives from other participating organisations to generate a list of willing participants.
Louise has a keen interest in local history and over the past two months has been a part of the planning process for this project.
"We're looking to working with Louise to finalise a document compiled of the self-published booklets. This compilation will then be published via a print-on-demand platform, and a limited print run ordered," Mr Motion said.
Friday, 24 October 2014
Eco Deco shows kids' raw talent
This weekend is the Leeton exhibition for the Eco Deco project delivered by Western Riverina Arts through funding from Riverina Local Land Services.
Artworks by children from Parkview and Murrami public schools will be on display in the The Roxy Gallery from 11am to 2pm.
Artists Melanie Baulch and Hape Kiddle were employed to run art workshops with schools in Griffith and Leeton using locally sourced resources from natural settings.
"The Griffith exhibition at Brett Naseby Gallery was popular, with many kids bringing their parents in to share their unique works," said Derek Motion, Regional Arts Development Officer with Western Riverina Arts.
"It was fascinating to see the individual artworks, as each was an expression of the vision and skills of that child. The results were varied, from domestic items to the fantastic, as well as things you might see in the natural world."
The materials were collected in a non-destructive and were used to inspire the children as well as introduce common items in their local landscapes. "We gave them a leaping-off point, starting with a story that they had landed on an island and had to make items. It put everyone on the same page," explained artist Hape Kiddle of the workshop held at Parkview on Tuesday this week.
The results were varied, as the workshop let the children decide what they would make from the materials. "It was open-ended and wasn't prescriptive. To help get them started we talked about how people approach creative work, how some people draw or talk or feel as a way of generating ideas. How some prefer working in groups or on their own," said artist Melanie Baulch.
"There were a lot of options, it could've been crippling for the kids creatively. I think the outcome was empowering as a result, they were very proud of their work. There is no right or wrong, rating or judging, and I think that's empowering for children."
"I found it really interesting to see the different approaches taken by the kids. We had only a few parameters, so it was a very creative exercise. Sometimes open projects can throw kids but they were into it," said Mr Kiddle. "It was surprising where the ideas went."
"The process was very playful rather than being outcome-oriented. I was surprised at how much they produced. Much of it may turn up as Christmas presents, I'd guess."
Melanie Baulch said the workshop went well. "The kids couldn't wait to get started and, at the end, the children were very respectful and helped clean up."
"We’re grateful to Riverina Local Land Services for supporting this project," said Mr Motion. "It's great to be able to challenge the way people think about the environment through art. Last year our Reimagining exhibition brought varying perspectives on the Murrumbidgee from artists.
"This year we aimed to continue that conversation and were able to generate even more individual expressions from artists through these workshops."
Eco Deco artworks by Parkview and Murrami public school students will be on display in The Roxy Gallery in Leeton from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 24 October.
Artworks by children from Parkview and Murrami public schools will be on display in the The Roxy Gallery from 11am to 2pm.
"The Griffith exhibition at Brett Naseby Gallery was popular, with many kids bringing their parents in to share their unique works," said Derek Motion, Regional Arts Development Officer with Western Riverina Arts.
"It was fascinating to see the individual artworks, as each was an expression of the vision and skills of that child. The results were varied, from domestic items to the fantastic, as well as things you might see in the natural world."
The materials were collected in a non-destructive and were used to inspire the children as well as introduce common items in their local landscapes. "We gave them a leaping-off point, starting with a story that they had landed on an island and had to make items. It put everyone on the same page," explained artist Hape Kiddle of the workshop held at Parkview on Tuesday this week.
The results were varied, as the workshop let the children decide what they would make from the materials. "It was open-ended and wasn't prescriptive. To help get them started we talked about how people approach creative work, how some people draw or talk or feel as a way of generating ideas. How some prefer working in groups or on their own," said artist Melanie Baulch.
"There were a lot of options, it could've been crippling for the kids creatively. I think the outcome was empowering as a result, they were very proud of their work. There is no right or wrong, rating or judging, and I think that's empowering for children."
"The process was very playful rather than being outcome-oriented. I was surprised at how much they produced. Much of it may turn up as Christmas presents, I'd guess."
Melanie Baulch said the workshop went well. "The kids couldn't wait to get started and, at the end, the children were very respectful and helped clean up."
"We’re grateful to Riverina Local Land Services for supporting this project," said Mr Motion. "It's great to be able to challenge the way people think about the environment through art. Last year our Reimagining exhibition brought varying perspectives on the Murrumbidgee from artists.
"This year we aimed to continue that conversation and were able to generate even more individual expressions from artists through these workshops."
Eco Deco artworks by Parkview and Murrami public school students will be on display in The Roxy Gallery in Leeton from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 24 October.
Monday, 13 October 2014
Uh Oh Tony! at The Roxy
Award-winning theatre maker Nick Coyle will bring his winningly whimsical show Uh Oh Tony! to the Roxy Community Theatre on Wednesday 22 October.The fun-filled 40-minute family show features music, singing, puppets and plenty of audience interaction. It is suitable for children aged four to eight.
Coyle plays Tony who ends up with a puppet also named Tony after a mix-up in the delivery of his robot. This second Tony is a colourful character and the two begin an adventure that leads to friendship.They are joined onstage by Holly Austin, who plays more than one role and was described in a review as being "delightfully larger than life".
Give your kids the chance to experience the magic of live theatre and see Uh Oh Tony! when it is performed in Leeton at 11am on Wednesday 22 October.
All tickets are $7 each, phone The Roxy on 6953 2074.
Blooming art
Former Leeton resident Carmela Kozlowski has a new collection of artworks in that town, exhibiting in the Western Riverina Arts window gallery during October as part of the Western Riverina Arts Trail.There is a floral theme through the assembled paintings, pastels and drawings, so the timing appears perfect for this display as spring warms the weather outside.
Ms Kozlowski held an exhibition of landscapes during August at the Historic Hydro Motor Inn and has placed in the Yanco Agricultural Art Exhibition in recent years, for paintings in 2010 and 2011 and then sculptures in 2012 and 2013.
"I enjoy exhibiting in as many art shows and competitions as I can," she told The Irrigator earlier this year and more of Kozlowski's floral work can currently be seen in Griffith Regional Art Gallery as part of their annual Flower Power exhibition.
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