Photo by Jaime Rojo
We have some fabulous workers at Regional Arts Victoria: people who are committed and passionate about the impact they can make as they facilitate the creative process and help regional arts organisations and individuals to make a difference in their communities. In the Melbourne Office we talk to people on the phone and by email as we advise artists, presenters, producers, teachers and partners; coordinate productions and workshops to tour regional Victorian venues, schools and halls; lead state-wide projects; administer grants on behalf of state and federal government; and promote what our members are doing.
But it’s out in the regions where the majority of our activity occurs and we are very fortunate to have our four Creative Arts Facilitators working on the ground at grassroots level – right there in their communities. You would know these workers as Regional Arts Development Officers or RADOs, but as we have thought more and more about the work they do, we have realised that they don’t just develop the arts, they facilitate creativity in their communities. That’s what’s key to their work, day in, day out so we have changed the job title to Creative Arts Facilitator.
The Creative Arts Facilitators are part of an important set of partnerships with local government across the State. Their offices are situated within their local council building or library. They are also supported by the Federal Government’s Regional Arts Fund. Our Creative Arts Facilitators’ extensive knowledge is integral as they offer valuable advice to the Melbourne part of the team about what is happening in their areas. In one day, these dedicated workers could help tease out a creative idea and help it take form and structure, give advice about one of our funding programs, present an information session, broker contact between artists, councils, organisations and initiatives, develop networks, open an exhibition, do some strategic planning and probably even boost someone’s confidence – and that all before lunchtime!
In Ballarat, we have employed Malcolm Sanders as the new Creative Arts Facilitator in Ballarat Shire; we recently farewelled Verity Higgins after almost eight years in that role. Malcolm joins the rest of the Cultural Partnerships team at Regional Arts Victoria: Deb Milligan in Gippsland (Wellington Shire), Kim Bennett in the Mallee (Swan Hill Shire) and Jo Grant in the Great South Coast (a joint partnership between Southern Grampians, Moyne, Glenelg, Warrnambool and Corangamite Shires).
They traverse their region from town to town, supporting organisations and individuals to sustain their arts practice. They are flexible and adaptable in the way they work; they need to be able to change focus and direction as the need arises. They live and work in their communities in Skipton, Briagalong, Kerang and Port Fairy, and are all practising artists or administrators in their own right, so they know and understand what it’s like to make a place and create work in rural towns.
Within Regional Arts Victoria’s artistic framework, our Creative Arts Facilitators are our regional champions. Regional Arts Victoria connects communities of practice, supports the places where art is made and experienced, and fosters current and next generation creative capacity and practice. Creative Communities, Creative Places and Creative Catalysts are how we describe these aims, and our Creative Arts Facilitators are our lead Creative Catalysts across Victoria.
Learn more about their role and Regional Arts Victoria’s work at the newly relaunched website: www.rav.net.au
