Day 2: Taking the ball

Strategic planning for the sector

Facilitator: David Fishel

The session was planned around the outcomes of Face up to it (Day 1). Group leaders were asked to report back with the 3 most critical objectives for that area within our industry.

Group 1: Money: John Paxinos

• Look for grant for 3 people to study/research changing $3 million to $10 million.
• Improving skill levels of management.

Group 2: Safe environments: Daryll John

• Research and Development, ongoing study.
• Writing down how things are done.
• Design specific circus gear.
• Database info of riggers, therapists.
• Safety code

Group 3: Art and Craft: Thor Blomfield

• Creative development process.
• Cross art forms.
• Trainers.
• Training for directors.

Group 4: Advocacy: Bill Blaikie

• Lobby specific people.
• High profile organisation.
• Caravan touring.

Group 5: Diversity: Antonella Casella

• Lobbying.
• Peak body meetings.
• Grass roots.

Group 6: Training: Anni Davey

• Space/resources.
• Sharing resources.
• Accreditation for trainers.
• Database.
• Who are the next generation.
• Nurturing all entry points.
• Diversity of people/groups invited to the conference.
• Did the diversity group discuss the different areas corporate, trad etc.? No, they didn't define or specify.

Group 7: Youth training: Michelle Vickers

• Regional access.
• Touring trainers to regional and remote.
• National framework (database).
• Financial access.
• Curriculum/program.
• Base standard.

The forum was then invited to break up into the discussion groups and facilitators posed the following questions:

• What am I going to do?
• What is my company going to do?
• What is the association going to do?

Summary of discussion groups:

Group 1: Money

• No group met further on this topic.

Group 2: Safe environments

• MEAA have just written a safety code for theatres, use this to base on for circus.
• Use new TAFE Course in Brisbane for rigging and entertainment as resource.
• Seek accreditation for riggers/safety officers in circus.
• Access Bob Burton industry development officer at NICA.
• Create database of who's using what, how and who.
• Flying Fruit Fly Circus just revised safety code.
• Compile case studies of accidents and incidents place on website.
• NICA liaising with orthopedic research and medical institute.

Group 3: Art and Craft

• Website:
  • Full time or part time person to service.
  • Kim (Kaos) Olsen has set up and currently maintains.
  • Priorities: cheap and quick.
  • Works if everyone keeps information coming in.
  • Training for trainers.
  • International workshop program.
  • Circus/physical theatre workshops.
  • NICA training for trainers.
  • Association.
  • Memberships.
  • Bi/Annual conference - other art forms.
  • Independent share.
  • Association supporting National Circus Festival.

Group 4: Advocacy

• Job everyone can do.
• Peer Assessment to help decide who gets money - ring Australia council: 1800 226 912
• Australian Council funded companies - get together and lobby for circus representative to sit on the Theatre fund committee at next available position.
• Department of communication, information technician and arts ad in the Australian today for applications for the Travel Australia Fund.
• Mobile truck to promote circus; all should be willing to support whoever chooses to do it.

Group 5: Diversity

• Encompass cultural and diversity of practice.
• Database Network Mailing List to provide information regarding individuals and organisations.
• Association to initiate and upkeep
• Databases
• Strategy for individuals and company's to provide information and resources for other companies and individuals to correlate and disseminate. Make sure everyone has access.
• Appropriate diverse groups represented.
• Make resources available - large organisations.
• Associations accommodate information from diverse groups.

Group 6: Training

• Insurance, accreditation, resource sharing, entry points.
• More information on:
  • People
  • Organisations
  • Network
  • Everyone can use Association website with message board.
  • Gather and distribute contact details of conference delegates.
  • Initiate dialogue about accreditation.
  • Create code for professional practice around training.
  • Develop website database of teachers and trainers in particular skills.

Group 7: Youth training

• Program and curriculum.
• Core national program with benchmarks.
• Eventually assist with accreditations and insurance.
• Existing designs nationally and internationally.
• National framework database.
• Use university contacts.
• CSU working party to start database.
• Mentorship Regional Access Touring truck with trainers, existing models and programs to base on.
• Use existing models (eg Sport and Rec).

Session wrap up: David Fishel suggested that there were a number of actions derived from the session that the Association Committee can take on board and begin to implement.

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This project has been assisted by the Federal Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.