Hello friend,
As the impact of the pandemic continues, the enormous toll on the Arts industry is front of mind. Producers of creative content have adjusted as quickly as possible, and even delivered a clever “call-to-action” like this promotion by Victoria’s Art Community.
We are spotlighting The Arts in this edition, by sharing Australian creative content and opportunities that can be accessed around the world. We also bring news of cultural leaders returning to Australia, and amazing digitalised performances and exhibitions across genres. This month’s Postcard shares the fascinating journey of musician come wine providore, Jonathon Glonek, who shows how you can support cultural projects via the Australian Cultural Fund, a fundraising platform for Australian artists.
Meanwhile, the Advance team and our valued volunteers, including the board, judging panel and advisors, are all excitedly preparing for the 2021 Advance Awards virtual celebration on Wednesday 8th September from 7:30pm AEST. You can follow our social media (see icons👇) for announcement of the 38 incredible finalists, who were selected from over 300 nominations. The Award winners will be announced via the online broadcast, with satellite events in Shanghai, London, Hong Kong, Dubai and New York. Tickets are free for Advance members, so register here so you don’t miss this inspiring celebration of outstanding global Australians.
‘Till next time,
Johanna Pitman
CEO | Advance.org
WELCOME HOME ART LEADERS
Two of Australia’s largest cultural institutions have recently appointed longterm expats to the helm. Opera Australia has hired former Sydney Film Festival chief, Fiona Allan, as its next chief executive, who will return home after 13 years in Britain. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia has also chosen a returning expat Suzanne Cotter, as new director after over 30 years overseas.
UK/AU SEASON 2021-22
The UK/Australia Season kicks off in September, celebrating the diverse and innovative art and culture of each nation. If you are in the UK or Australia, you can enjoy immersive and cutting-edge performances and exhibitions around the theme “Who Are We Now?”. Especially exciting is the first visit to the UK of the Australian World Orchestra, comprised of Australian musicians from around the world. You can also enjoy iconic AWO live performances here.
CALLING ALL AUSSIE PERFORMERS
The Dubai Expo 2020 is running from 1 October 2021 till 31 March 2022. The Australia Expo 2020 Pavilion will be highlighting diversity, ingenuity and contribution through 60,000 years of innovation. If you’re an Aussie performer of multi-discipline/artistic genres and skill sets, you can register here to perform at the Australian Pavilion in Dubai.
POSTCARD FROM VICTORIA
Advance member and violinist Jonathon Glonek, is finding ways to help young musicians and diverse audiences to engage with music during a global pandemic. Now in Australia after 25 years in Thailand, he shares his passion realised through The Bendoc Philharmonic, and the value of maintaining connections with Australia when living overseas. More
ARTS FOR THE SOUL
Feed your appetite for Australian creative content with virtual tours and online collections, such as the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, or online events produced from Sydney and Melbourne. Access ABC iview for Retrograde, a sitcom filmed and aired during the 2020 lockdown that remains ever relevant as we navigate friendships ‘remotely’. And check out the rise of 18 year old Aussie The Kid LAROI, who is topping the music charts globally.
MARVEL’S AUSSIE DIRECTOR
After 10 years looking fo the right director for Marvel’s Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson championed Aussie director Cate Shortland for the role after viewing ‘Lore’, one of Shortland’s films. Despite lack of agency representation or project pitch, Shortland stood out above all other choices thanks to her ability to get inside the skin of female protagonists.
CONNECTING IDEAS & PEOPLE
The Victorian Government’s Digital Innovation Festival features classes, roundtables and talks about applying digital innovation to your profession, no matter the sphere. Join the online events live or ‘on demand’ covering topics ranging from Emerging Tech to Digital Inclusion and Future Jobs. More
APPLY NOW FOR CULTURE GRANTS
Applications close soon for the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program 2021, which provides support for Australia’s creative industries and people-to-people links in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Also open now is Round 2 of the American Australian Association Arts Fund Grants to support emerging or early career artists between Australia and the USA (closing September 30th).
JOBS AVAILABLE!
The Advance jobs board is updated weekly with hundreds of international and domestic vacancies, across a large array of professions. You can even search for the kind of work you are looking for, and specific positions to find the right job for you! More
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