Arts Matters Workshops 2011

The ArtsYakka Workshops bring regional Queenslanders hands-on workshops that focus on community arts and cultural projects.

From May to July the five ArtsYakka Workshops took place in the host communities of Atherton Tablelands (21-22 May), Tambo (28-29 May), Dalby (4-5 June), Beaudesert (18-19 June) and Moranbah (9-10 July). They are free to all participants.

The workshops are designed to increase the understanding of how the arts can meet the challenges in rural and remote communities. Participants examine the characteristics of successful arts practice and think about artistic solutions to future projects that engage their communities and help plan for a thriving future of their region.

Participation is open to artists, volunteer community culture and recreation groups, local government, business, special interest groups and media to plan a resilient future while recording memorable stories of past successes.

Teaming up with Queensland Arts Council to facilitate the Workshops was Dr Ros Derrett OAM. Ros has had an ongoing connection with regional Queensland communities. Ros was formerly the Head of the Office of Regional Engagement at Southern Cross University, NSW, has worked in education, community development and arts administration in Australia and overseas, and was co-founder and administrator of Theatre North. Representatives from state and federal arts agencies were also present at some Workshops.

ArtsYakka Workshops were free to all participants thanks to the valued support of the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund. ArtsYakka is an initiative of Queensland Arts Council, the state’s Peak Body for Regional Arts. ArtsYakka provides online resources and community workshops that focus on developing and supporting arts and cultural projects.

Along the way we've collected some great arts stories from the artists we've met - you can see them here on our YouTube channel or head to our Flickr feed to see photos from across all the workshops.