The new financial year is upon us. With it comes the first allocation from the Federal Government’s $10million (over five years) budget promise and the development of a new strategic priority area. While details are not yet set in stone, we can promise it will expand on the Story of the Future and Arts content for the digital era programs, and be an expansion to all the great work supported across council.
Things to look out for in the new priority include the soon to be ubiquitous ‘NBN readiness’ catchphrase, new work grants for individual artists, interdisciplinary fellowships, and a range of new grants and programs delivered across artforms and as standalone initiatives. If you don’t see anything that suits your own practice, just have a chat with one of the staff here who can either direct you to the right area, or take your feedback to the people who need to hear it.
For those of you who have been following ‘artsdigitalera’ on twitter, facebook or the blog, you will start to see some transitions. Please follow @auscouncilarts and @interarts, 'Like" http://www.facebook.com/australiacouncil, and keep an eye on the hot new website at http://australiacouncil.gov.au for all updates on this new space. The #residentgeeks community will carry on their good deeds via http://residentgeeks.net, where you can also post your needs or offerings in the marketplace.
If you haven't yet been introduced to the #connectarts online audience engagement research, please delve in to the newly expanded blog posts and come join us for the events around the country over the next few weeks.
On a more personal note, it is getting near to the time when I will say my personal farewells to the council and (hopefully just temporarily) to Australia. While I wait for my permanent residency to come through I’m off to do some travelling, of the research variety. I’ve been playing with digital culture for around fifteen years now and in that time I have met some incredible people from all over the world. Even just in that brief timescale the environment has changed enormously. It’s time for me to reassess what’s going on in this still-emerging space and get a taste for what might be to come.
My next project’s posh name is “A global digital culture audit”, but it’s more commonly known as 'a really big road trip'. If you want to keep track of activities and get involved with the research, check out http://reallybigroadtrip.com (work in progress until September). Please also keep me updated with all your exciting new adventures via Facebook and Twitter (the account name will change but it will still be me tweeting).
Finally, I don’t leave the council until September 2nd, so if there is anything you wanted to talk to me about but have been too afraid to ask... now’s your chance!
Image courtesy cole007 on Flickr
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