2007
Arts companies are usually exciting places to be around and 2007 was no exception at SEA with a year of high quality artistic output and an increase in participation rates across all our programs, all achieved in an increasingly challenging environment.
The Great Southern has enjoyed economic prosperity like much of the state but this does impact on the operations of not for profit organisations due to rising costs which are not matched by grant increases. Competition for staff and visiting artists also increases which makes it a challenge for regional companies like ours to attract staff of the quality required to enact our artistic vision and community commitment. In practical terms this led to a long and frustrating search for a new artistic director to replace Douglas Walker and it was only when we repackaged the remuneration for the position that we were finally able to attract a candidate of sufficient quality. We are delighted that Simon Clarke joined the company as Artistic Director late in the year and he brings a wealth of skills and experience to the company. Unfortunately because of our limited funding base we have been unable to retain a full time general manager but achieving this is a major priority in 2008, as it will provide the secure structure to enable the company to continue to grow and develop.
We also farewelled our General Manager, Ilona Rayson mid year, who moved on to a new career in Melbourne but we have been very fortunate to have been able to recruit Kelly Hull as her replacement. Kelly is a graduate in Arts Management, and also has a strong business background, which means she can gently bring us back to earth sometimes!
Despite these changes in our core staff we still experienced strong growth in our membership and delivered both a strong workshop program and many outstanding artistic performances. We also continued to develop our regional focus and our Indigenous Performing Arts strategy. These successes were in no small part due to our loyal band of trainers Jeremy (Hip Hop and Circus), Nic and Paul (Drama) and two new recruits Michael (Introductory) and Beth (circus). We are also very indebted to Lockie McDonald who returned to the company for a stint as Locum Artistic Director as well as developing our major performance piece Shiny Things with our Senior Drama group. After successful local performances and a link to the Business and Arts Awards in Perth it is planned to tour regionally and possibly further afield.
Dance featured prominently in our program this year and we were able to develop many exciting activities with the support of guest artists. SEA has been running a Hip Hop group for some years now and this is a very successful social inclusion strategy bringing together a fascinating fusion of indigenous, migrant and other young people on a regular basis. We are also expanding this program with outreach classes through High Schools and other community organisations in the region.
The Narasirato Pan pipers from the Solomon Islands came to work with local Aboriginal youth and developed a fascinating cultural exchange. Add in percussion workshops with the Tuza African Dance Group, a residency with Chrissie Parrot, which included some very innovative uses of animated choreography, Nari Lees and Lena John dance workshops and the first phase of our collaboration with STEPS Youth Dance Company and you have a truly cosmopolitan and dynamic dance program.
Circus and Physical theatre remains a core part of the program and featured strongly in our outreach work with schools and communities. At one end of the spectrum it is very pleasing that two graduates of SEA have been offered places at NICA in the last year, which is a reflection of the excellent standards we have achieved in Circus. At the other end Circus is a very popular entry point for children engaging with the Arts and is a very effective strategy in achieving our goals in association with Healthway.
Drama members produced an outstanding piece of work in Shiny Things as mentioned earlier but SEA also delivered a strong workshop program including a new venture in collaboration with UWA aimed at the young adult age group. We were also very pleased to have visits from NIDA and TheatreSports Australia as part of this program.
As ever we are very grateful to our major funding bodies Department of Culture and Arts, Healthway and the Australia Council for the Arts for their continuing support. It is very encouraging that we have been invited to apply for triennial funding by the Australia Council, and further that this will synchronise with our Healthway and DCA funding. This potentially will bring greater stability to the company and will enhance our ability to undertake long term planning. We would also like to acknowledge the continued encouragement and support we receive from Country Arts WA, an organisation we can always rely on for support in a crisis!
John Knell, with the support of the Department of Culture and the Arts, visited SEA in Albany as part of his visit to WA. This provided us with a fascinating opportunity to reflect on the role of the company in the Great Southern community and helped us sharpen our focus on developing our community inclusion agenda.
We were also very fortunate to be the beneficiary of a development grant from the Department of Culture and the Arts, which allowed us to engage Carol Wish Wilson as a consultant to work with the staff and Board of Management to detail a business plan for the company for the next 5 years. This will ensure sound management and the continued development of SEA in the coming years.
SEA would never achieve the outcomes it does without the continued support of our many volunteers and community supporters. People contribute in so many different ways and always so willingly. To all our helpers and supporters you have my heartfelt thanks. SEA continues to enjoy the strategic leadership of a committed and diverse Board of Management and I would like to acknowledge the dedication, creativity and commitment of my fellow board members. In particular I would like to acknowledge the commitment of Sandy Bishop over so many years. Sandy has decided that it is time that she stepped down from the Board but will continue to support the development of our Indigenous Arts program.
Looking back 2007 may have been a year of change but it was also a year of incredible achievement, and it is a testament to the strength and resilience of the organisation that we did this despite the changes in key personnel. This is due not least to the fantastic creativity and energy of our young people in the Great Southern and their enthusiastic engagement with the Arts.
Tim Christie
Chairperson
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