About Me

This is the CuriousWorks Posterous Blog. It's a place for the CuriousWorks family to informally share our thoughts on creativity, technology and education from an Australian perspective. We also share news on our activities in the office and in collaboration with communities around Australia.

The official CuriousWorks website lives over here. Our website is your passport to Another Australia. There you can dive into a sea of fresh Australian stories - and even learn the tricks to becoming a great storyteller yourself!

Offline, CuriousWorks transforms Australia's most marginalised communities by giving them a voice. Learn more about our unique, award winning process here.

Other posterous websites:
The Lanka Project
The Migrant Project

Follow @CuriousWorks

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2012 (31)
2011 (141)
2010 (161)
2009 (96)
2008 (66)
 

reallybigroadtrip

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http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/5674/description/0/0

reallybigroadtrip is an experiment in living & breathing creative digital culture. 

The plan is to get a bus, rig it with recording equipment, then drive it around Australia talking to people about how they engage with creative technology. It’s an artwork and research project, plus a home / studio / workshop / exhibition / screening and collaboration space, all wrapped up in one big bus.

reallybigroadtrip celebrates everything I love about creative digital culture. It’s playfully up for any challenge; based on generous exchanges between passionate inventive minds; connects people across vast geographic spaces; can be personalised on demand to the needs of the current participants; & explores ideas we don’t yet understand. The people behind it are gorgeous too - in fact nicer than most of the people who run our governments.

Media arts (another phrase for 'creative digital culture') is a misunderstood and largely unrecognised practice. It is suffering increasingly under budget cuts from conservative governments around the world, and despite having been around a while is still considered 'niche and emerging'. My aim is to dispel the myth that digital culture is a niche practice by showing how much of it there is in your own local community.

Your contributions here will go towards me being able to buy and do basic modifications to a bus. I'm after a diesel Toyota Coaster that I can convert to run on vegetable oil and set up with basic living/working accommodation & kit. Anything I can raise above that means I can kit it out with better facilities and equipment, and invite more people to join me as my "Nomads in Residence".

I'm not much of a film maker, and I don't have a research degree, but I have been working my wayaround the world through the media arts landscape for about sixteen years. With that comes a bucketload of amazing people in my network who want to know why I won't shut up about how much I love my new home since I became a permanent resident in Australia last year. 

This isn't a reality TV show, but I will be publicly learning by doing. Everything I do will be accompanied with some kind of documentation and feedback on my blog (http://reallybigroadtrip.com), and social media spaces, even when I fail (in fact, especially when I fail... although let's hope that doesn't start with this campaign!). 

What I don't know already, I will learn. What I do know, I will share.

But all this depends entirely on YOU. Of course I need your money, but that's not where this project ends. 

I need to know from you:
  • where should I go
  • who should I meet
  • what questions you have
  • where can i park for free, safely
  • what (creative, geeky) challenges you have for me!

Videos
OK, I'll admit it. I hate being on camera, but I felt you needed to see me in this first film. From now on you'll be seeing less of me and more of the issues I'll be covering on my travels. Next week's video is about crowdfunding; I've already started interviewing people who have been through, or are just starting, their own journeys. If you have stories to share, contact me!

Contact
I'm generally always online, so feel free to contact me here, sign up to my newsletter, chat with me via Facebook (http://facebook.com/reallybigroadtrip) or Twitter (@feesable), or email me at headgeek-AT-technoevangelist.net if you have questions, challenges, or you just fancy a natter about geek arts stuff!

More info

Thank you!

Posted by Shakthi Sivanathan 
 

Speaking in Tongues - Young People and the Arts Australia National Symposium

Young People and the Arts Australia presents


Speaking in Tongues: How do we translate the collective language of the arts?
Wed 11, Thurs 12 & Fri 13 July 2012
Casula Powerhouse, Western Sydney

Young People and the Arts Australia (YPAA) presents a national Symposium titled Speaking in Tongues: How do we translate the collective language of the arts? The central theme is to explore how the youth arts sector speak to each other in the sector, across sectors and, more importantly, how we speak to others about what we do in a language that they can understand.

  It will offer a wide range of activities for professionals working with and for children and young people, such as international masterclasses, and keynote presentations, workshops, panels, events performances and more to support sector wide artistic and professional development.

  The Symposium discussions will openly challenge the stigma of youth arts; explore how to engage in powerful professional conversations; investigate the various languages surrounding our practice such as artistic form, technologies, cultures, inclusivity and funding; interrogate the role and place of the 'broker' in the arts; and more.

  It takes place in Western Sydney at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre alongside the Way Out West Festival for Children (WOW), a contemporary arts festival that will engage and inspire children and their families.

  Speaking in Tongues is suitable for anyone interested in enhancing the opportunities for creativity of young people they work with, or of their organisation.

  When:                           11-13 July
Where:                          Casula Powerhouse, Casula, Western Sydney
Ticket contact:             info@ypaa.net or 07-32540553
More info:                    www.ypaa.net  
Ticket info:                  Earlybird discount close Wed 23 May, 5pm EST.  http://ypaa.net/program-2012/national-symposium/purchase


Join the Symposium Facebook page for regular updates  – Here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/360881873968584/

Ypaa_national_symposium_speaki

Click here to download:
YPAA Symposium_Speaking in Tongues_Media Release.doc (131 KB)
(download)

Click here to download:
Blurb for newsletters and websites.doc (28 KB)
(download)

Posted by Eleanor Winkler 
 

Digital Storytelling for Beginners - Join the Workshop!

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We're teaming up with Connecting Up Australia and delivering some workshops to assist not-for-profits to gain skills to make their own digital video works!

The Sydney edition is coming up on June 6, make sure you book now!!

Posted by Elias Nohra 
 

Penrith's excellent Toolkit series continues - this month: Online Communities: Strategy and Structure

Click here to download:
A5 April e-flyer.pdf (307 KB)
(download)

The workshop will feature presentations by Sophia Marinos, Creative Producer Big hART, Akesha Horton, Shakthi Sivanathan, Creative Director at CuriousWorks, on working with communities online through: facilitating cultural exchanges across urban-rural-remote settings, developing digital literacy skills, building resilience, applying a structure for effective online learning environments and discussing strategy for meaningful engagement.


We're honoured to be a part of it.

Posted by Shakthi Sivanathan 
 

‘Stir the Pot’ - Morsels for living, dying and social change, Wednesday 18th April @ Weave Arts Centre, CarriageWorks

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There is a quiet revolution happening in Australia. A movement aimed squarely at changing how Australians deal with and experience death, dying and bereavement.

Everyday people are reviving community-led end of life and death care practices - you name it we are doing it here in Australia! Green funerals, bespoke funeral ceremonies, DIY coffins, people dying at home supported by family and friends, funerals in backyards, parks and surfclubs, choir's singing to the dying, and eco burial garments and ‘cooling tables’ available to enable families to care directly for their dead at home. Water cremation is even on the way.

There is a hunger for information about end of life care and strong desire to re-connect with meaningful death and dying practices. 

What if we begin to “do” death differently in Australia? What would that look like? How would it be experienced?

You are invited to: ‘Stir the Pot’ - Morsels for living, dying and social change
A night of presentations, provocations & discussion about innovative end of life & after death care practices. Invited presenters will speak to their area of practice, art form or idea for social change and innovation. This event is designed to open up new possibilities and new discourse around death, dying and bereavement practices.  

‘Stir the Pot’ is an event designed to enable these conversations through showcasing innovative end of life and death care practices.

We have a range of speakers and presentations (Click here) from all over Australia bringing their ideas, practices and passions to you as part of the inaugural Social Changemakers’ Festival.

What to expect:

* thought provoking presentations about innovative practices 
* opportunity to connect with others and share your ideas with like-minded people
* great wine, cheese and nibbles! 

‘Stir the Pot’ is a collaborative event developed by The GroundSwell Project & LifeRites and is being run as part of The First Australian Social Changemakers’ Festival Friday 13 – Sunday 22 April 2012.  Weave Arts Centre, CarriageWorks precinct, Wilson St, North Eveleigh

Tickets are available on Eventbrite HERE. 

Don't miss out, Places are strictly limited.

For more information contact Kerrie Noonan from the Groundswell project - (kerrie@thegroundswellproject.com) or mobile 0439 040 499

Posted by Eleanor Winkler 
 

CPAC needs you: Volunteer out west for free passes, t-shirts and an awesome feeling on the inside

The Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to volunteer for the Way Out West Festival for Children (WOW) and the YPAA National Symposium from the 11th to 14th July 2012.

 

What is WOW Festival for Children?

WOW is a contemporary arts festival that caters to the diverse interests and needs of children in the West and South West Sydney region.

 

By working closely with locally and nationally recognised artists and companies, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre has produced a contemporary children’s festival that will engage and inspire children and their families.

 

The program will include premiere performances and hands on art making workshops in an atmosphere designed to explore and encourage creativity and imagination.

 

 

What is YPAA National Symposium

Running alongside the WOW Festival for Children, is the YPAA (Young People and the Arts Australia) National Symposium, which CPAC is hosting.

 

This symposium will highlight the achievements of youth arts, and link them with other industries such as education, technology and culture.  The event will provide networking opportunities, panel discussions, workshops, performances and more.

 

 

Who are YPAA?

YPAA (Young People and the Arts Australia) is the national peak body for organisations and practitioners engaging young people in the arts. YPAA is also the national advocate for children and young people’s rights to access arts and culture in Australia. As an advocacy and service organisation, YPAA activates, promotes and sustainably develops the children and young people’s art sector nationally. (www.ypaa.net)

 

Volunteers, CPAC needs you!

Festival volunteers will be assigned to a particular role within CPAC to guide groups and patrons around the festival, direct them to scheduled events and assist with workshops and general enquiries. Previous experience is preferred but not essential.

So if you are reliable, personable, and enthusiastic, CPAC wants you to be part of the team!

 

Why volunteer?

Volunteering is an overall great experience. Volunteers who have assisted in the past have found the experience a very fulfilling one, experiencing the highest quality arts and cultural programs.

All volunteers will receive a WOW t-shirt, a Volunteers Pass, lunch (if you volunteer for a whole day) and a certificate of participation. The festival will also process your working with children check application if you don’t already have one, and are already planning a special thank-you for all volunteers.

Volunteers are an integral part of the success of WOW!  Without the assistance of volunteers, CPAC is unable to provide such an enriching and enjoyable experience to the thousands of children and groups who attend this event.

 

How do you register as a Volunteer?

To express your interest in joining the volunteer team at the 2012 WOW Festival for Children and the YPAA National Symposium please email Claudia Chidiac performance@casulapowerhouse.com or call 9824 1121 for an application form.

Posted by Eleanor Winkler 
 

Thank you for sharing in our stories ... please stay tuned for more to come!

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Last week at the wonderful School of Arts in Fairfield, CuriousWorks celebrated the conclusion of our 2 year digital media and social enterprise initiative called The Stories Project. 
Launched in 2010 with Urban Stories from Western Sydney and Desert Stories from the Western Desert, remote Western Australia, our cultural leaders have created 12 new video works (with another 2 still in production), experienced life as professional freelance and collaborating artists, represented their work at conferences and community events and expressed their views through storytelling. The Urban Stories crew, who have transformed into the social enterprise Matta Media, is made up of some seriously diverse Australians, many of whom came to Australia as refugees from different corners of the planet. The Desert Stories crew is made up of folks from the Martu mob, the last Aboriginal group to make contact with the British.
We would like to thank all our funders, mentors, collaborators, families and friends for their support throughout the project and all who attended the night.
Desert Stories Crew members Cassandra Nanudie and Curtis Taylor couldn't be there for the night, but sent us some awesome video messages from Bidyadanga, a very remote coastal community in north west WA. Due to some internet connection issues, we didn't get them in time to screen on the night, however, they are now online for everyone to enjoy.
If you liked the videos you saw on the night, please share them with all your buddies online, and stay tuned for the first episode of Ama and Chan's Kitchen Rescue coming soon!

Last week at the wonderful School of Arts in Fairfield, CuriousWorks celebrated the conclusion of our 2 year digital media and social enterprise initiative called The Stories Project. 

Launched in 2010 with Urban Stories from Western Sydney and Desert Stories from the Western Desert, remote Western Australia, our cultural leaders have created 12 new video works (with another 2 still in production), experienced life as professional freelance and collaborating artists, represented their work at conferences and community events and expressed their views through storytelling. The Urban Stories crew, who have transformed into the social enterprise Matta Media, is made up of some seriously diverse Australians, many of whom came to Australia as refugees from different corners of the planet. The Desert Stories crew is made up of folks from the Martu mob, the last Aboriginal group to make contact with the British.

We would like to thank all our funders, mentors, collaborators, families and friends for their support throughout the project and all who attended the night.

Desert Stories Crew members Cassandra Nanudie and Curtis Taylor couldn't be there for the night, but sent us some awesome video messages from Bidyadanga, a very remote coastal community in north west WA. Due to some internet connection issues, we didn't get them in time to screen on the night, however, they are now online for everyone to enjoy.

If you liked the videos you saw on the night, please share them with all your buddies online, and stay tuned for the first episode of Ama and Chan's Kitchen Rescue coming soon!

 

Posted by Eleanor Winkler 
 

Marco. A film by Guido Gonzalez

A simple backyard party with family and friends quickly becomes a heart-warming site of cultural resilience. Join Marco for a song and a story about upheaval, struggle and an unwavering passion for music that has kept his family and culture strong.

Posted by Mark Taylor