Whatever time of the day you are reading this, thank you for taking the time to read.

So why are you reading this? Well, as Chair I have decided to write a blog entry every now and to give members (and those wanting to join this fab organisation), a heads up to what is going on behind the scenes at Darwin Visual Arts. It will also be emailed out for those who don’t regularly check the website.

In truth, I had this blog ready to go a few weeks ago but didn’t post because as you may already know DVA has been going through some big changes of late.

Our gallery manager, Belinda moved into a new role outside of DVA that is full of excitement, creativity and adventure. We THANK YOU Belinda for all your efforts over the last year and a half you were at Darwin Visual Art. Belinda was key in creating the new DVA at Harbour view and her expertise in curation will be missed. The executive committee and our board, as well as our members, I am sure, wish B every success in her new role. 

A few weeks ago, Alison decided to pursue her passion for consultancy work. She too has moved on from DVA. Alison did massive things for DVA. Amongst everything else Alison did for DVA, Al moved us from Frog Hollow and dealt professionally with very difficult and testing trials in between setting us up at Harbour View. Alison really supported our org by gaining several opportunities for our artists to create new work and get paid for this through public programs. She worked hard to set up workshop programs, succeeded in getting the Arts Trail funding, contributed significantly to the success of our Creative Partnerships project and was at every opening supporting DVA and our artists and was key in getting DVA back on track to a brighter future. Thank you, Alison, for all you did to keep the DVA engine running and we thank you for getting us set up at Harbour View. Best wishes for the future.

So, within the movement of staff at DVA we have since recruited Shauna Upton as a program support officer, she has exceptional skills in marketing and media, organisation, support and administration. Her professionalism and experience in the arts sector is going to be of great help to us all to keep the org rolling. She is a quick learner and has great ideas for DVA in moving forward.

As a board we decided to recruit an Interim General Manager; Britt Guy. Britt has a wealth of experience in the arts sector in the NT and runs her own arts-based company ACCOMPLICE. Her knowledge, networks and passion for the arts is refreshing. In her three months with us Britt in partnership with Shauna has been charged with creating our exhibition program and generating an online campaign for our Creative Partnership success.

Another major part of Britt times with us will be taken up by streamlining the administrative side of DVA. As an arts org we need to make sure that all of our processes are streamlined and working in the best interest of all those associated with us. Britt will be looking at our contracts for exhibitions, our invoicing processes, our workshops agreements where any amendments/improvements will go to the exec committee and the board for approvals. 

Please pop in and say g’day to both Britt and Shauna, they will of course be around at our openings too and are happy to chat anytime to support our members and the public.

Now, the reason that we recruited an Interim GM is because our 5-year strategic funding was put in last week and we won’t be notified till the end of November if an increase will be successful. One of the major issues of recruitment here at DVA was the amount of funding and self-generated income to support employees appropriately. We hope to amend this with the funding application that we have submitted. We have requested on behalf of our members the ability to employ a full-time General Manager, a part-time Gallery Manager, a part-time Projects Officer and a part-time Program Support Officer. We know that the Arts Sector in Australia is moving away from a heavy reliance on Government funding and to become more strategic in generating income outside of this. We have asked for an initial increase with the hopes that throughout the next five years we can increase our funding through differing agencies. Fundraising, corporate and business sponsorship, donation, sales of work and more creative ventures. For more information on our strategic plan as a member you can get a copy of it anytime by emailing our office on info@dvaa.net.au

I won’t bombard you all too much more but wanted to leave you with some key dates and points;

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To double check if someone is in the office, as staff are out on meetings sometimes; please call on 08 8981 9351

Keep being creative.

Keep in touch.

Till next month.

Alicia aka Leash