I am a freelance arts practitioner. I trained in performing arts at NMIT in Collingwood undertaking Certificate in Theatre Arts and Diploma of Arts – Small Companies and Community Theatre. I have written and directed a series of short experimental works showcased in Melbourne a couple of times, they were received well, when I am brave enough I will keep making work like this here in Ballarat! I enjoy making soundscapes and movement based performance. Most recently I have been involved in ensemble work as an actor and creative director with local inclusive company Boxhead Ensemble.
To pay the bills (just!) I have been working a combination of creative and corporate arts gig’s for the last 15 years. My past experience as an arts worker has been both practical and theoretical and has included management for large scale festivals and events, arts administration for small –medium professional arts based companies and development and implementation of Community Arts Projects both visual and performance based. I undertook 2 years travel abroad for professional development purposes working within Edinburgh Festival Fringe, held the position of Arts and Cultural Development Coordinator for The City of Ballarat and formed my own business, Arthur – working as an independent Arts Practitioner specializing in creative management, project development and arts administration. Most recently I have also taken a role within the National Arts and Disability organisation, Arts Access Australia.
I have been fortunate enough to have worked in the arts industry my whole working life. It has been years of dedication chasing the work coupled with a relentless resolve that I will not stack shelves at Coles in between creative endeavors that has seen me in full time employ within the arts sector!!! As a result of my work experience I have learnt an enormous amount and been able to successfully carve a career for myself in a relatively short time frame. It is now, after years of working in Melbourne, Ballarat and the UK, I am consolidating all my learning’s and wanting to establish myself in the arts sector, not only as a creative practitioner, but also as a leader. I have strong ties to Ballarat and believe that I have the capacity of being an integral part in a much needed cultural shift.
I have been working consistently in both voluntary and paid positions to increase the amount of arts activity within Ballarat, with a primary focus on engaging artists with a disability within the mainstream arts sector. I have opened a community art gallery, with a peer started a theatre company for artists with a disability and work as a freelance multi-modal arts practitioner with both established organisations and independent community groups. I can be contacted on emma@arthurcreative.com.au