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Heartwork doesn't bypass regional Australia
By Daniel Wells
What do a group of five teenagers stomping and gyrating rhythmically and an Alice Springs festival where beanies are the centre of attention have in common? How about a red-faced bank manager sounding off about politicians only to find that the Deputy Prime Minister was in the front office?
You may ask what could possibly link these three events; well it's the latest publication from Regional Arts Australia and the Australia Council, Heartwork-Great arts stories from regional Australia.
Heartwork profiles 35 significant regional arts projects from across the country. The stories vary from the dramatic to the absurd, such as from the Australia Youth Orchestra to a story about a uniquely Australian exhibition 'Bute' Utes. Heartwork highlights the quality and scope of artistic activity in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, and the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, launched Heartwork at Old Parliament House in June.
Mr Anderson entertained the audience about an experience he had on the campaign trail in regional Australia several years ago. He recalled an incident when a bank manager, who, on hearing a candidate for election was in the building, sounded off to a colleague about the value of politicians.
Clearly, it was not immediately apparent to the manager that the office from which she voiced her opinion was not soundproof. When she came to the counter, Mr Anderson, amused by the outburst, informed the rather sheepish bank manager that politicians, like bank managers, were not necessarily all the same.
Mr Anderson applauded Heartwork because it highlighted regional arts achievements in Australia. He acknowledged that it and similar publications are crucial in breaking down myths. That they are essential in the education of politicians, bank managers and the community about the danger of perpetuating stereotypes-stereotypes such as a perceived city-country divide and the belief that all great art must come from a metropolis.
Then it was Stompin' Youth's turn to steal the limelight. And steal it they did. With music and dance moves seldom heard and seen outside a nightclub on a Saturday evening, the five young Tasmanian boys and girls stomped and bounced in front of a delighted audience. The story in Heartwork about Stompin' Youth will give you some idea of the achievements of these talented young people.
Through the Regional Arts Fund (RAF), the Australian Government provided $85 000 for Heartwork, and committed a further $10.7 million over four years in the 2004-05 Budget to continue to support sustainable community-related cultural development in regional Australia.
Heartwork is the second publication produced by Regional Arts Australia and the Australia Council. The first The Great Yarn Event and Other Arts Stories from Regional Australia is now out of print, but is from time to time available on eBay. The last one auctioned is rumoured to have sold for a few hundred dollars. Heartwork is destined to be a collector's item too. Copies are available online at www.ozco.gov.au and www.regionalarts.com.au.
The Regional Arts Fund is an Australian Government initiative that aims to support the arts in regional and remote Australia. Assistance is available across art forms for projects that foster people's participation in the artistic development of their community.
A full list of funded projects and more information about the program is available relevant regional arts organisations in each state and territory, or online at www.dcita.gov.au