March 2006 Newsletter

Welcome to the Positive Solutions March newsletter. Details below include information on New Projects, Progress Reports, and Governance Development and Training.

Williamstown Town Hall: Hobsons Bay

Review of a range of heritage and other buildings used for cultural and other community purposes in order to develop strategies for physical and program development. Hobsons Bay lies just a few kilometres from the centre of Melbourne and contains several distinct communities from historic Williamstown in the East to Altona and Laverton in the West. The strategies will take into account the facilities and activities of a number of independent community cultural groups as well as Council's direct activities.

We are currently working in partnership with John Montgomery of Urban Cultures, to assist the South Bank Corporation on the facilitation of a cultural planning process for Brisbane's South Bank. This is a key cultural district within the CBD, a centre for arts production performance and exhibition and a hub of creative enterprise. The cultural identity of South Bank is seen as vital to its future development as a world class urban quarter. An initial issues paper has been produced which will be followed up by workshops with key stakeholders early in 2006.

In November 2005 we were engaged to assist the Mater with the development of a plan for the procurement of art works, including public art commissioning for the redevelopment of the Mater Mothers and Mater Adults Hospital in Brisbane. This is a $165 million public/private initiative which will make the Mater Mothers the largest Maternity hospital in Australia. The Art Work Plan will include a curatorial rationale for the commissioning and purchasing of new work, the identification of key sites for artwork commissioning, the short listing of artists for those opportunities and proposals for the appropriate project management of the art work over the next two years.

At the end of 2005 we completed a Cultural Plan for the Darwin City Waterfront, providing a vision, framework and strategies for a range of cultural and creative opportunities within the $1.1 billion development. This is a 15 year development incorporating three key elements, the Darwin Convention and Exhibition Centre, Community Facilities and infrastructure, and a range of commercial developments including a hotel and staged residential. The key stakeholders in the development are the Northern Territory Government, the Toga Group and ABN Amro.

Opportunities were identified in the Plan for the commissioning of public art; the interpretation of city heritage and histories; the development of facilities and infrastructure for a program of regular arts and cultural activity and opportunities to engage with the arts and cultural sector in the marketing and promotion of the site.

Image: Studio 505 in collaboration with Geoff Nees. Facade Australian Pavillion. World Expo 2005 Japan Commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In November 2005, Positive Solutions was engaged by Cox Architects to
provide an artist for an Art Wall for the entrance to the Language and Access building at Chisholm Institute Dandenong. A selection of appropriate artists were presented to the architects and client, three artists were invited to provide concept designs and Geoff Nees was selected to proceed to Design Development. The Art Wall is currently being installed.

A New Theatre for Bendigo: defining the most appropriate specification and location for a middle-scale theatre, in the context of broader cultural developments in the city.

Arts Facilities Operations, Yarra Ranges: review of staffing arrangements at the Shire's directly-operated arts facilities, with recommendations on future structure.

Old Court House, Yarra Ranges: proposals for development and cultural use of Lilydale's oldest building, the former Magistrates Court.

The Creative Industries in Darebin: an influx of creative practitioners, a growing café culture in the High Street, a major redevelopment of the Northcote Town Hall as a community cultural facility. What strategies can Darebin City Council adopt to sustain these positive developments into the future, and ensure a healthy arts and cultural sector? To provide advice to Council, Positive Solutions is reviewing creative urban precincts in Australia and abroad, and drawing lessons from the growing body of literature on creative cities.

Artists' Studios in Parramatta: the Myer Inquiry drew attention to the need for affordable workspace for visual artists and craftspeople. Positive Solutions and innovarchi architects are assisting Parramatta City Council with plans for adaptation of an existing building in the heart of Parramatta to provide studio space for up to 20 artists, including operational and business planning for this new facility.

Auckland Theatre Company: identifying and evaluating options for accommodating New Zealand's leading drama company, including rehearsal, administration, production and performance facilities.

Interactive Theatre Company: a growth plan for this independent, Brisbane-based company which has a growing portfolio of theatre-based corporate training and entertainment services.

Long Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre

Positive Solutions was commissioned by the Tasmanian Government to advise on future structure and governance arrangements for one of Tasmania's most visible cultural organisations. Occupying significant heritage buildings on Hobart's waterfront, it is 30 years since the Arts Centre was established, and it now finds itself at the heart of a thriving tourism precinct. This still-changing environment makes new demands on the Arts Centre. Positive Solutions' recommendations have now been received by both the Government and the Arts Centre, and are in the process of implementation.

Following consultation with key stakeholders and the community, we have recently completed a Review of the Northern Territory Indigenous Arts Strategy - Building Strong Arts Business launched in August 2003. This was a six year initiative of the Territory Government which has involved investing over $3 million into the sector over the last three years including the establishment of an Indigenous Arts Unit in Arts NT. The Review summarises the key achievements of the Strategy in relation to the goals and anticipated outcomes, raises issues concerning the problems that have been encountered in delivering the Strategy, and makes some specific recommendations for a planning framework, investment and the future of specific initiatives over the next three years.

Gadens continues to support emerging artists throughout Queensland through
their arts program. In October 2005, Renai Grace of Positive Solutions curated Queensland's top ten emerging artists exhibition for Gadens' Annual Client Cocktail Party. The exhibition featured artists from around Queensland including: Sam Tupuo, Billy Missi, Grant Stevens, Jemima Wyman, Madeleine Kelly, Paul Adair, Genevieve Staines, Gemma Smith, Daniel Templeman and Archie Moore. Three of the artists' works was purchased for Gadens' collection. A full colour catalogue is available.

"A Rare Occurance (Of Gigantic Orchids: S. Australis Vs D. Maculata)" by Peter Hennessey

New Theatre Initiative, Auckland: Positive Solutions assisted with preparation of a business plan for this proposed middle-scale venue in the heart of Auckland. Following completion of the plan, Auckland City Council has confirmed substantial financial support towards the project.

Oamaru Opera House: following completion of our feasibility study and business plan for this striking 1907 lyric theatre, design development and fund-raising are proceeding in order to realise the project.

Positive Solutions has now developed new services in addition to our short training programs for the boards of non-profit organisations. The Board Audit is an efficient health-check on the board's current processes, and includes:

§ Initial briefing

§ Review of board agenda and papers

§ Review of board policies and procedures

§ Confidential board member survey

§ Interviews with chair, selected board members and chief executive officer

§ Observer attendance at a board meeting (if agreed)

§ Report and recommendations

§ Facilitated discussion on recommendations

A new position has recently developed within our Brisbane office for a Communications Coordinator. Applications close Friday 17 March 2006. You can download a copy of the Position Description here. Should you have any further enquiries, please contact Cathy Hunt on 07 3358 1077

After much delay Emmanuel Larenz Koger was born to our Melbourne consultant Renai Grace and her partner on 12 December 2005. A happy and healthy baby boy weighing in at 9lbs 3 ounces.