PROJECT: Make Art Make Change

Here's a project that I'm working on and accompanying the wonderful project coordinator, Amadeo from my former workplace Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE). It is going to be an exhausting yet eye opening experience as I get to travel outback across several areas (all the way to the edge of West of NSW), connecting with orgs, meeting aboriginal artists, seeing what happening in rural and remote communities. Anyhow, here's some more info and if you know if any young emerging Koori artists, spread the word and let them know. 

Drug and Alcohol awareness for Koori youth through art and community education

Supported by Arts NSW and Health NSW, and in partnership with Gadigal Information Services, Information and Cultural Exchange Inc I.C.E. are leading a statewide project aimed at creatively raising drug and alcohol awareness for Koori youth in New South Wales.

I.C.E. is calling out for up and coming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and creative leaders aged between 16 and 30 to get involved in this project. While creating high quality artworks these artists and creative leaders will support NSW communities by leading culturally specific responses to issues around drugs and alcohol consumption.

Project Coordinators, Amadeo Perez-Marquez and Maria Tran will be on the road in regional NSW to meet with community members and support potential artists to get involved with Make Art Make Change. Information sessions will be held in the following towns on the following dates. Please phone Amadeo on 0400 472 172 / 02 8987 5744 for more information and look out for the Gadigal Caravan in your town soon.

Thurs 4 Oct: Banks - Condobolin
Fri 5 Oct: Condobolin
Sat 6 Oct: Condobolin – Broken Hill
Sun 7 Oct: Broken Hill
Mon 8 Oct: Broken Hill
Tues 9 Oct: Broken Hill – Orange
Wed 10 Oct: Orange
Thurs 11 Oct: Redfern

I.C.E. Executive Director, John Kirkman says, “I.C.E. is a community based arts organisation that aims to collaborate with artists and communities to provide opportunity to produce high quality art and cultural engagement. We are are thrilled to work with Aboriginal artists and communities from Sydney and regional NSW on this important, positive and respectful community driven and focused health and arts initiative.”

This innovative project aims to provide high-level skills development and targeted creative leadership support to a group of four selected artists or creative leaders as well as offering professional development opportunities to a broader group of artists. The four selected artists will receive support and mentoring to develop and create high quality, high impact artistic works while engaging with young people in their communities around the issues of drugs and alcohol.

All artists who apply will have the opportunity to attend professional development activities throughout the life of the project and applications will be welcomed from artists practicing any established artform.

Yes you can be a creative leader if you:
• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Are a practicing artist or creative
• Currently live in NSW
• Can identify a specific Indigenous community in NSW that you would like to work with

You will need to:
• Commit to the project for 5 months

• Participate in all project activities, events and workshops
• Commit to a mentor arrangement
• Be an ambassador for your identified community
• Champion and create positive social messages regarding healthy choices around drugs and alcohol through your art.

An advisory reference group and a cluster of mentors will direct the project. If you are interested in being a part of either group for this great project please email us, give us a call or drop into ICE in Parramatta.

Visit and listen to 2LND Koori Radio 93.7FM for more updates about this energising project. 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: 
Kristy Mayhew, Manager, Marketing and Communications 
P: (02) 9897 5744 E: kristy.mayhew@ice.org.au

Information and Cultural Exchange I.C.E.
ICE has been working with community and the arts in Western Sydney for over 26 years and works resourcefully and creatively with digital technologies to harness the energies and artistic expressions of the most culturally diverse region of Australia. Tracking the rapid shifts and creative surges in our region, we give voice and provide professional opportunities to artists and communities who will transform the directions and definitions of sustainable arts activities in Western Sydney and, potentially, the nation. www.ice.org.au