Horizon Festival today launched an exciting new opportunity for Kabi Kabi and Jinibara artists, Connecting to Country, which will see selected artists develop new works that will be presented during the festival.
Applications are now open for the Connecting to Country artist development program, where up to five Indigenous artists will collaborate with a mentor who will help to develop their work.
Horizon Festival First Nations producer Alethea Beetson said Indigenous art-making acted as a tool for the continuation of cultural story-telling.
“Horizon Festival acknowledges that continued cultural revitalisation requires time, commitment and resources to (re)develop artistic practice,” Ms Beetson said.
Returning to land-based practice is at the forefront of First Nations programming for the festival.
Horizon Festival director Zohar Spatz said the festival is looking for artists representing all artforms.
“We’re searching for artists with a connection to Kabi Kabi and Jinibara whether they are still local to the Sunshine Coast or have moved away and would like to return to country to develop their artistic practice,” Ms Spatz said.
Connecting to Country: Pilot First Nations Artist Development Program
When: Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 June, 2019
Where: within the Sunshine Coast region, specific venue to be confirmed.
Details: All artforms will be considered (visual arts, music, performing arts, film). Mentors will be chosen based on the successful applicant’s art form and development areas. Mentee artists will work with Horizon Festival’s First Nations producer and other key festival staff to deliver an outcome at Horizon Festival 2019. The program will also include Traditional Custodians as part of the facilitation.
Applications: www.horizonfestival.com.au/country
Applications will close on April 5, 2019.
