December 2009

Welcome to the December 2009 Positive Solutions newsletter. 2009 has seen Positive Solutions undertake major consultancy projects from Cairns and Geelong to the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong.  

We have used our expertise in cultural infrastructure development to assist Arts Queensland in developing criteria for investment in cultural facilities throughout the State. Our specialism in arts strategy and curatorial frameworks for hospitals and health institutions has led to our appointment as principal arts advisors for the Gold Coast University Hospital development. The launch of an unique support service for board members – BoardConnect – was rewarded with a two-year commitment of support from the Queensland Government. And, finally, we have been undertaking international research on funding models for individual artists for a major new initiative to be launched in 2010.

NEW CLIENTS

CarriageWorks, Sydney, NSW. Photo: Michael Nicholson

Positive Solutions prepared a cost analysis of CarriageWorks in Sydney to assist the NSW State government in determining financial support for the facility to achieve its stated vision and objectives. The consultancy included a benchmarking exercise of other contemporary arts centres across Australia, along with customised financial modelling.

Arts NSW Cultural Facilities Audit

Positive Solutions has been commissioned by Arts NSW to conduct a cultural facilities audit of NSW in order to create a detailed database of current cultural infrastructure.  Positive Solutions will be contacting local governments across NSW to gather relevant information on their cultural infrastructure assets including performing arts centres, galleries, museums and libraries. The information will guide future state government planning and investment strategies. The Facilities Audit builds on valuable experience gained undertaking a similar audit for Arts Queensland.

Torres Strait Regional Authority 

As a continuation of work undertaken on the Torres Strait Arts Development Strategy in 2005, Positive Solutions has been commissioned by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) to develop a broader cultural policy and plan for the Torres Strait region to guide the work of the Authority through a new art, culture and heritage program. Positive Solutions director Cathy Hunt assisted TSRA staff in the organisation of a two day cultural leaders workshop on the Island of Poruma in November to determine the cultural needs and ambitions of all Island communities. Participants also had the opportunity to hear from Arts Queensland Deputy Director General Leigh Tabrett on the work of the State Government in the area of arts and cultural development. 

South Bank Playscapes Brisbane

Positive Solutions was engaged by South Bank Corporation to provide a curatorial framework for a new playground that is being constructed as part of the Boardwalk Redevelopment. The playground will be a collaborative project between a artists and Senior Landscape Architect and Urban Designer Darryl Mills from City Design (Brisbane City Council). It is the intention for this project to create a unique playground for the South Bank cultural precinct that embodies the meaning and histories of the area. Particular consideration has been given to the immediate natural environment, indigenous cultural heritage, and the site’s identity within the broader context of the South Bank peninsula. Positive Solutions is currently managing the artist commissioning process.