State of the Sector Picnic at NORPA

NORPA and Theatre Network NSW invite Northern Rivers artists and people who care about the arts to a State of the Sector Picnic in the NORPA Courtyard, Thursday 28 January, 5-7pm.

The State of the Sector is usually a formal address but given the arts sector has been ‘in a state’ for the past year, NORPA and Theatre Network NSW are putting on a more informal picnic in order to gather, chat and reconnect.

Writer/director Kate McDowell, writer/comedian Mark Swivel, and choreographer/teacher Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal will each present a short talk responding to the following provocation:  There is no ‘New Normal’. You are the NSW Minister for the Arts, what is your vision for the Arts, and the role it plays in the wider community in a post pandemic, climate impact world?

“These are pivotal times for the arts in our region, there are many challenges and uncertainties but also stories of hope, renewal and connection,” says Julian Louis, NORPA Artistic Director and CEO. “We’re looking forward to getting together with artists and our community to have a yarn, ponder some of the big and small questions, share some of NORPA’s vision for this year and to just feel reconnected.”

Opportunities for local artists at NORPA

The State of the Sector Picnic will also be an opportunity to hear more about creative programs NORPA has for artists and the local community this year. These include two $15,000 residencies for artists to develop new work, intensive workshop opportunities, upcoming auditions for NORPA homegrown works and platforms for experimental short works.