September 23, 2019
South Burnett Regional Council’s fourth quarterly “Creative Roundtable” discussion for artists and other creative folk was held at Murgon RSL Club on Sunday afternoon.
The meeting was chaired by Council’s Arts Portfolio holder Cr Danita Potter as Senior Economic Development Officer Craig Tunley was an apology.
Also in attendance were Cr Ros Heit, singers, artists, photographers and representatives from the Wondai Art Gallery and South Burnett Arts Inc.
The Creative Roundtable concept was suggested by Council as a way to get people involved in the creative arts out of their “silos”, to brainstorm, network and build relationships with each other and Council.
Previous meetings have been held in Wondai, Blackbutt and Nanango.
Topics covered at the latest get-together included:
- Council’s new and improved RADF policy and simplified form. A suggestion that a “showcase” video of past projects, including “how-to” instructions to encourage more applications, was put to Cr Potter for consideration;
- The need for Council to adopt a general Arts Policy, which is required for Federal and State funding applications;
- The suggested development of a Community Arts Centre, ie. a drop-in work space for artists, potters etc. A suggested venue could be the vacant – and vandalised – former Railway Station building in Wondai which is owned by Council and is located near the Wondai Art Gallery, and
- A community “Pub Choir-type” sing-along held in conjunction with next year’s Winter Warmers event in Kingaroy.
Cr Heit and Cr Potter said they would investigate the Community Arts Centre proposal in greater depth.
The sing-along would be further explored by South Burnett Arts and the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Group.
A topic raised at previous Creative Roundtables was also discussed at length again, ie. a regional arts festival which involves community groups as well as artists from across the region.
The future of this concept will depend on funding and the creation of a Council Arts Policy.
The next Creative Roundtable will be held in Wondai on November 10 (details to be confirmed).
[DISCLOSURE: Anne Miller is secretary of South Burnett Arts Inc]
