BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Legacy Project

 BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Legacy Project

Presented by Country Arts WA in association with Artsource, Curious Works and the Newman Community

Media Release

Newman receives historic arts investment

Country Arts WA has announced a $500,000 arts partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore.

The partnership is the largest of its kind ever to be invested in the Newman community.

Named the BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Legacy Project, Country Arts WA will manage the project, with support from specialist providers. Artsource will deliver a series of public works including the design of a town centre park incorporating input from the local community, whilst CuriousWorks will engage with Newman’s youth to deliver a range digital media works finishing with a film festival in October.

Chief Executive Officer of Country Arts WA, Jessica Machin said it was a one-of-a kind regional arts project that could incorporate all segments of the community. “This is an exciting cultural program for the Newman community, one that would not be possible without a long term commitment and investment by BHP Billiton Iron Ore,” she said.

She believes this new partnership marks an exciting new direction for Country Arts as it begins to work with corporate partners to deliver arts projects that resonate with the community.

“A key driver of the partnership is to make a sustainable contribution to the Newman community – rather than just deliver a one-off program. The BHP Billiton Iron Ore -Legacy Project will develop capacity within the Newman community to enable it deliver art projects independently in the future,” she said CuriousWorks Director, Shakthi Sivanathan said the partnership would also lay the foundation for ongoing projects.

“The goal is to train interested media makers in Newman how to use digital media and develop their understanding of the tools available to them. We’ll also be setting the ground work for a film festival which after this first year, the community will drive and run itself,” he said.

Senior Advisor of Sustainability and Community Relations for BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Scott Bird has been involved in the project since its inception.

“We really want to contribute something significant to the town that demonstrates BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s commitment to creating liveable communities that people want to participate in for the long term. We expect this project will create a lasting impact on both the community members and the landscape of the Newman Township.”

All Newman residents are invited make a contribution to the cultural vibrancy of the community by getting involved in the project.

To find out how you can be involved contact local project coordinator for Country Arts WA, Lee Bell on 0417 092 233.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Legacy Project

Presented by Country Arts WA in association with Artsource, Curious Works and the Newman Community

Country Arts WA
Country Arts WA is Western Australia’s peak arts body for delivering cultural programs into regional areas. It is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by Federal, State and corporate partnerships.

Its philosophy is to encourage community residents to play an active role in selecting and delivering cultural and arts activities, rather than applying a top-down approach.

Through the assistance of Country Arts WA regional communities are able to use culture and the arts as part of their community’s development and celebrations.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Sustainability and Community Relations
BHP Billiton Iron Ore is dedicated to strengthening community relations and creating sustainable programs that will be present for future generations. BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s art and cultural programs aim to address the following objectives:

• Township amenity
• Education
• Indigenous culture
• Health and wellbeing
• Community involvement
• Environment

Artsource
Artsource is the peak body for visual artists in Western Australia. The organisation provides art consultancy services including artist selection, management and community engagement. Artsource works with existing artists in regional areas whilst identifying beneficial mentorships.

Jenny Kerr from Artsource will manage the public art program and facilitate input from the local community. Artist Margaret Dillon will lead a team of artists to design a unique park in the town centre and artworks for the town.

The design for the built landscape will be developed over the next six months and is intended to create a unique hub for Newman that families and children to enjoy.

CuriousWorks
CuriousWorks’ programs combine innovation, arts, technology and education. The team engage the community to discover and then tell stories, investigating contemporary Australia from a unique perspective. CuriousWorks are renowned for creating rich, multimedia performances.

As part of the BHP Billiton Iron Ore – Legacy Project, CuriousWorks will run school holiday arts and digital media workshops for young people, which will culminate in the delivery of a public screening and installations in the town.

During the school holiday program, Curious Works will identify cultural leaders of the town who wish to gain digital media skills. In September this group will participate in a weeklong digital media-training program to develop a sustainable media strategy for the town, including an online multimedia magazine.

Immediately following this week, CuriousWorks will spend another eight weeks with thecultural leaders and broader community to establish an annual film festival. The inaugural film festival will be held on 31 October 2009.