SmartArts

Richard speaks with Martin Foley, the Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, about the newly announced $16.8 million arts survival package from the Vic state Government. The package is about valuing the contribution of the arts and recognises that most artists are not well served by the current COVID-19 support packages because they work outside of traditional employment structures. Artist Ma...

This week on SmartArts, Richard speaks with regular guest Tai Snaith about creative and educational activities you can undertake with your children, delving into the unconscious, with ideas around dreaming and free association. Artist Deanne Gilson joins Richard to discuss her work as part of Affirmation , an exhibition which will be shown online via the Koori Heritage Trust. Gilson works in multi...

Richard talks to Annika Kristensen, the Senior Curator of The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) about a call-out to artists to submit proposals for the creation of new digital works. Kristensen says that the challenges of this time present an opportunity for ACCA to fulfil their mission statement which is to “do art differently”.  Sarah Lyons, the Senior Education and Audience Engageme...

Richard talks to artist, facilitator, educator and play specialist Cat Sewell about tapping into kids’ innate ability to play. Then he talks to Nicole Beyer, who is the Executive Director of Theatre Network Australia, about the latest funding round from The Australia Council for the Arts. Beyer says that it’s vital for people to advocate for the arts sector in the face of ongoing cuts. Finally Ric...

On this episode Richard discusses ways artists are staying connected to their community and work throughout the pandemic. He speaks with Fleur Kilpatrick for their regular segment Shoot the Messenger. However, instead of discussing live theatre they discuss some of the interesting works and collaborations appearing online. Richard then speaks with Adrian Collette AM. Collette is the CEO of Austral...

On this episode of SmartArts, Richard explores the creative ways that arts workers are adapting to the pandemic. He talks to Tai Snaith about the art projects she's doing with her kids. Tai is looking for the positives, which for her is spending time with her family enjoying the natural world. Richard talks to Greta Bradman of the Arts Wellbeing Collective about ways for arts workers to look after...

On this week’s episode Richard explores the impact of COVID-19 on the arts sector. Richard talks to Daniel Santangeli, Artistic Director & Co-CEO of Footscray Community Arts Centre which is a part of the Arts West Alliance. Footscray Community Arts Centre have shut their doors out of respect for the members of their community who are most at risk during this crisis, especially those with a dis...

Richard speaks with playwright Merrilee Moss about her new work Running with Emus . Moss was inspired to write this work when she moved to a country town and was "thrust into the role of outsider, otherwise known as blow-in". Then Richard talks with Sam Strong the director of the new version of David Williamson's play Emerald City , which has been put on to celebrate Williamson's 50th year as a pl...

This episode of SmartArts is hosted by Daniel Santangeli, filling in for Richard Watts. Have you ever wondered about deaf-culture? Curious about deaf-lead creative practices and projects? Anna Seymour comes into the studio and breaks down Mini SPIN, an immersive and interactive dance rave for deaf, CODA and hearing children and their families, taking place at Northcote Town Hall. Also joining Dani...

Richard talks to Jo Lloyd about her entrance in the 2020 Keir Choreographic Awards semi-finals. Lloyd says that the competition format creates a rigid framework, but the results can be quite diverse. Lloyd's work, That's Her Name, is informed by her choreographic principle to "make Your Own Disneyland". Richard talks to Troy Innocent, who is a games designer and researcher at RMIT, about his new a...

On this episode, Richard is joined by Ilbijerri Theatre Company Artistic Director Rachael Maza to talk about Black Ties , playing as part of the Asia TOPA festival in Melbourne, Australia. Also, curator Annika Aitken discusses the Japanese Modernism exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, and Victorian Opera CEO Elizabeth Hill-Cooper chats about their production Salome .

Richard talks to David Woods and Jon Haynes about The Importance of Being Earnest. They discussed how to move a classic work like this beyond being “comfort food” for the audience. Richard then spoke to Victor Griss from Counihan Gallery. The gallery is expanding and has three new exhibitions. f_OCUS features women’s works from their collection. Histrionic and Screen Time examine the interconnecte...

This week's SmartArts is hosted by Daniel Santangeli, filling in for Richard Watts. Daniel reviews theatre with Fleur Kilpatrick on the regular Shoot the Messenger segment. They discuss Birdoir , New Balance , and The Feather in the Web . This segment contains explicit content. Then Daniel talks to Phaptawan Suwannakudt about Knowledge in Your Hands, Eyes and Mind . This work focuses on a temple P...

Richard talks with Miranda Hill, the director of Homophonic , which is a Midsumma show of queer contemporary classical music. Then he speaks with Declan Greene, director of Feather in the Web, which is a contemporary Australian play with a very unusual and challenging main character. Declan describes the play as "super fun and then then it's super not fun". Finally Richard speaks with Tomas Parris...

Richard and Bernard Caleo discuss comics in the monthly Drawn Out segment. This month they talk about Ubby’s Underdogs by Brenton McKenna and My Big Life by Bailey Sharpe. Then Richard talks to Ben Northey, the conductor of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, about the upcoming performance of 2001: A Space Odyssey . Ben discusses the role of a conductor and how he found himself in this role of artistic...

Richard chats to Bernard Caleo about the latest comics, Theatreworks General Manager Dianne Toulson for their 2020 program and Melinda Martin, Director of Linden New Art for the Linden Postcard Show.

Richard discusses a program overview of Asia TOPA with Artistic Director Stephen Armstrong and Associate Director Kate Ben-Tovim. Armstrong says that one of the major themes running through the program is "how the past is a ballast for the present and the future." Richard discusses a new book The Australian Musical: From the Beginning with Co-author Peter Wyllie Johnston. This comprehensive histor...

CEO at Midsumma Festival Karen Bryant joins Richard to discuss some of the highlights of the upcoming festival, whick takes over Melbourne, Australia for an epic 22-day celebration of queer arts and culture in January and February. Also on the show, Contemporary Art Curator at National Gallery of Victoria Pip Wallis previews the world premiere exhibition Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossi...

What's in a name? Richard speaks with Geelong Arts Centre (formerly called Geelong Performing Arts Centre) CEO Joel McGuinness about the Centre's re-badging, to coincide with a mammoth $38.5 million redevelopment. They chat about how the Centre will cater to Geelong's diverse and evolving arts ecosystem as the city continues to grow, and look ahead to some highlights from the Centre's eclectic pro...

Richard talks to Wesley Enoch, the Artistic Director of Sydney Festival 2020. They discuss Sydney Festival's extraordinary contribution of commissioning 46 new works from both Australian and International artists. Following that Richard talks to Women's Circus Executive Producer Devon Taylor and Creative Director Penelope Bartlau about their new show Drill . Drill explores the alternative history...

Richard starts the show with the Drawn Out comics segment with Bernard Caleo. The discussion has a focus on new works by Australian artists. They discuss Deep Breaths by Chris Gooch, Bad Gateway by Simon Hanselmann, The Chant of the Big Black Birds by Simon McKeown, and The Adventures of Anders by Gregory Mackay. Next up Richard talks to Anni Davey, who's the Artistic Director of The Flying Fruit...

Richard talks to Iain Grandage, the artistic director from the Perth Festival, about the 2020 program. Iain is the first Perth local to hold this position and has brought a strong Indigenous focus to the program. Next up is writer/director Krystalla Pearce and writer Maja Amanita discussing the new show She Is Vigilante . This is a series of short plays put on by Theatre Works. The show had an ope...

Richard starts the show with an interview with playwright Jamaica Zuanetti about her show Thigh Gap , which is showing at La Mama. It is a dark comedy for, by and about millenial women. Next up we hear from Matt Lutton regarding the Malthouse 2020 program. In their 30th year Malthouse have created a program that encapsulates the very DNA of the Malthouse, and celebrates local artists. Richard then...

Richard talks to Simon Abrahams, the creative director & CEO of Melbourne Fringe. The Fringe has set up a new home called Common Rooms at Trades Hall where they will be running productions throughout the year. He hopes the shows will capture The Fringe's feeling of rebellion, inclusivity and support of independent arts. Next Richard talks to playwright, director, performer and producer Rebecca...

Richard talks to Petra Kalive about her new musical theatre work, which is an adaptation of Miles Franklin's classic My Brilliant Career . The production will involve a core cast of professionals with students in supporting roles, and will be showing at Monash University's Alexander Theatre. Next Richard speaks to Stewart Laing who's the director of The End of Eddy , which will be showing at the M...