Arts On Tour Support

The Cyberpaddock and Long Paddock touring mechanism is managed for the industry by the Blue Heeler Network (the State Touring Coordinators from a number of Regional Arts Australia organisations- see Cyberpaddock for the list of members). Although Arts On Tour isnt part of this network, we support the mechanism as the official contact for assisting NSW and ACT producers and venues.

Our NSW/ACT producer services include:

• advice on how to use Cyberpaddock and submit product
• marketing tips for increasing your profile on Cyberpaddock
• trouble-shooting support with Cyberpaddock. As the site is still relatively new, if you encounter any problems we can helpor indeed if you have bright ideas for new features you can post them directly on the sites community forum which the Blue Heeler Network monitors.
• advice on how and what to pitch if you are successful in being invited to Long Paddock.
• check all NSW/ACT production details prior to the site being open to venues voting nationally. This gives you the added security that everything has been covered and is in keeping with industry expectations
• recommendations for wild card and professional development opportunities at Long Paddock
• tour development, grant writing and tour coordination for producers
• resources for producers wishing to develop their own tours and associated applications.

Key Dates

• 3 March - Cyberpaddock opens to venues for voting. This voting process indicates which shows they would like to pitch at Long Paddock
• 20 March - Based on venues votes, invitations to pitch at Long Paddock will be offered to producers. We anticipate invitations will be issued directly by Regional Arts Victoria on behalf of the Blue Heeler Network (but you may contact us if you haven’t heard and are after more details on how your submission ranked etc).

Contact us

For more support on The Blue Heeler Networks Long Paddock mechanism, or any other touring options, please contact either Heather Dransfield (AOT Touring Manager) or Penny Miles (General Manager), or phone 02 9571 6799.

Call for stallholders - Collector Village Pumpkin Festival 2008

The Committee of Collector Village Pumpkin Festival 2008 is calling for interested stallholders with goods and services appropriate to a country family fair. This significant regional event will be held on Sunday 4 May 2008 from 10am, and attracts around 5000 visitors during the day The cost of a stall space ranges from $65 to $185.

Full details and paperwork are available from Helen on 0428 600 810 or the Festival website www.pumpkinfestival.com.au

Need a studio?

M16 Artspace offers affordable, versatile working space to individual artists and arts groups within a dynamic artist-run initiative.  A limited number of studio spaces are now available. Studios range in size from around 100m2, suitable for groups, to smaller spaces of about 15m2 suitable for individual artists. The average studio is 26m2, large enough for two artists to share.

Visit www.m16artspace.com for information and application forms or contact the M16 office on 6295 9438.

2008 Churchill Fellowships

The ACT Government is encouraging all eligible Canberrans to consider applying to the latest round of fellowships offered by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

In 2008 around 100 fellowships of $25,000 will be available.  Any topic of study or research will be considered on its merits and no formal qualifications are required.  However, the study or research should benefit the wider community and Fellows are expected to be willing to share their findings with other Australians.

Further information is available from the Trust's website at www.churchilltrust.com.au or by phoning 1800 777 231.  Applications close 29 February 2008.

KNOW AN 'AWARD-WORTHY' CANBERRAN? (ACT Government media release, 5 September 2007)

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope is calling for nominations for three of Canberra's most prestigious awards -
the 2008 Canberra Citizen of the Year Award, the 2008 Canberra Gold Chief Minister's Awards and for inductees to the ACT Honour Walk.

Mr Stanhope said these awards recognise individuals and groups who achieve great things and who make a significant contribution to the people of Canberra.

"The Canberra Citizen of the Year Award recognises those in the ACT who have made a significant contribution to the Canberra community.  Both individuals and groups may be nominated for the award and their contribution may be from any field, including the arts, education, community work or business.

"The Canberra Gold Chief Minister's Awards are for people who have been living in the ACT for fifty years or more, as at 12 March each year.  The Award aims to recognise the commitment and contribution made by the long-term residents of the ACT.

"Both the Canberra Citizen of the Year Award and the Canberra Gold Awards are an important part of our city's birthday celebrations, with awards presented in March during the Canberra Day celebrations.

"The ACT Honour Walk, located on Ainslie Avenue, recognises individuals or groups from across all categories of endeavour whose significant contribution has shaped the city as we know it today. Nominees for the ACT Honour Walk do not have to be residents of the ACT and may be awarded posthumously." 

Nominations for the Canberra Citizen of the Year Award and Canberra Gold Chief Minister's Awards close on 31 December 2007. Nominations for the ACT Honour Walk may be received any time throughout the year, with inductees traditionally added in December each year.

"I encourage you all to nominate a fellow Canberran or group who deserve special recognition,"
Mr Stanhope said.

For further information about the Awards and to obtain nomination forms, please visit www.cmd.act.gov.au
or phone 6205 3031.