Launceston, June 2: Junction 2010 will bring together three of the world’s leading community development thinkers in Launceston, Tasmania from 26-29 August 2010. The Regional Arts Australia national conference will feature Italian born Dr Ernesto Sirolli, Francois Matarasso (UK) and Mike White (UK) who are set to inspire delegates to re-imagine what the future of the arts in Australia can be.
Kicking off the conference is Mike White, a UK authority on the role of the arts in health promotion and community health, contending there is a direct correlation between the social determinants of health and the biological imperative to be creative. In particular, he places emphasis on the development of children’s emotional and mental health through arts in education and is an expert in community cultural development and regional regeneration through the arts. Mike’s key note on the opening day responds to the conference theme of footprints and he will also co-present the session The Arts in Community Health – It’s a Flourishing Concept along with Margret Meagher from Arts and Health Australia.
Responding to threads is UK based Francois Matarasso, an independent researcher and writer specialising in community cultural practice. His work focuses on practice-led research, mostly around the impact of participation in culture, but he’s also published work on libraries, heritage, museums and other related issues. According to Francois, his work is “united by my belief in cultural democracy as a cornerstone of human rights and development. Critical of the assumptions that often underlie cultural policy, I have researched new evidence of the impact of culture and developed new ways of understanding its role in society”. Francois will also conduct the session What’s Wrong with Evaluation.
Presenting the plenary session corresponding to the theme resilience is Italian-born, Dr. Ernesto Sirolli, pioneer of a unique economic development approach based on harnessing the passion, determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness of local people. Central to the success of Sirolli’s Enterprise Facilitation® model is the message delivered to passionate individuals who are driven to be self-employed: “Do what you love and find others who love to do what you hate!” Dr Sirroli will also present the session Enterprising Arts for Arts Workers.
Joining them at the conference are prominent Australians Mark Peche –Internationally recognized as the man who brought virtual reality into the World Wide Web, Marcus Westbury - broadcaster, writer, media maker and festival director, and Jane Bennett - the ABC Radio Australian Rural Woman of the Year (1997) and Regional Development category winner, Young Australian of the Year awards (1998).
Julie Boyd, President of Regional Arts Australia says that “We are delighted that these internationally renowned speakers are willing to share their stories, challenge our delegates with new ideas and be a part of this amazing gathering. I look forward to seeing what creative new ideas we can develop
together as well as having a chance to celebrate the wonderful work which is taking place right now across the country”.
The conference will draw 1000 delegates from across Australia including, artists, arts workers, volunteers, policy makers and those passionate to learn how the arts can connect communities to a vibrant future, making it one of the biggest and most significant arts gatherings to be held in regional Australia this year. Delegates get to choose from a program which features 150 speakers, 51 sessions and 17 hands-on workshops covering topics like ‘the role of arts in bushfire recovery’, an interactive workshop ‘dance like a man’, ‘the top five disruptive technologies’ and a hands on stream including indigenous weaving, speed meeting and walking tours.
The complete conference and festival program is available at http://www.junction2010.com.au. Early bird discounts are on offer for people who sign up before June 18th. So register now to join us as at the Junction as we reconsider and re-imagine the future!
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