Metro Arts Archives - West End Today

Dance24: A Fusion Of Culture, Talent, And Innovation

Prepare to be dazzled as Metro Arts unleashes Dance24, a thrilling dance extravaganza set to electrify Brisbane’s West End! Get ready to immerse yourself in an exciting lineup of talks, seminars, performances, and networking galore.

Dance24 will ignite Brisbane’s West End with a burst of creativity from May 22nd to June 1st, 2024. Its foundation is a dedication to presenting a diverse range of dance expressions, with a focus on Queensland’s emerging talent. Two highly anticipated world premieres are included in the festival’s mainstage programme: Olivia Adams’ “Matriarchs” and Amy Zhang’s “Gameboy”.

“Matriarchs” explores the historical accounts of Indigenous femininity and provides a close-up look at the real-life experiences of earlier First Nations women. Olivia Adams, a budding Indigenous artist whose outstanding resume includes work with Bangarra Dance and performances for Karul Project, highlights her distinct viewpoint in this moving modern piece.

BOOK HERE

In contrast, “gameboy” explores issues of endurance and rivalry through the use of video games, internet culture, and Japanese game shows as inspiration. Prominent dancers William “Billy” Keohavong and Ko Yamada bring Amy Zhang’s vision to life on stage as she explores the nuances of online persona and real-world decision-making in this piece.

BOOK HERE

OTHER EVENTS

DANCE24 COMMUNITY CONNECT

Join DANCE24 at Factory Lane for their Community Connect mixer to kick off your Friday night on a high note. Come to a special event that Wanida Serce and Metro Arts are hosting to network with other artists and dance enthusiasts.

This event guarantees to start your weekend in style, whether you’re making new connections or renewing acquaintances in the industry. Take advantage of this fascinating feature of DANCE24, the experimental dance event that takes place from May 22 to June 1.

KIM SMIT HEELS CHOREOGRAPHY

Come to Metro Arts Studios for an exclusive masterclass on heels choreography featuring Kim Smit. Kim has eight years of professional dancing experience in Australia, Europe, and the USA.

She has performed on stages with well-known performers, including Natti Natasha, TYGA, and Kehlani. Explore the nuances of heels foundation, technique, and choreography intended for dancers with intermediate to advanced skills.

Upgrade your abilities with this exceptional chance to pick the brain of an accomplished expert. a component of the avant-garde dance festival DANCE24, which takes place from May 22 to June 1.

BOLLYWOOD MASALA

Experience the vibrant world of Bollywood dance with Drea Lam, Director of Dance Masala and creator of ITEM, in a lively workshop at DANCE24. Dive into the heart of Bollywood’s energetic rhythms and dynamic movements as you learn typical Masala Bollywood dance steps.

From action-packed sequences to heartfelt romance, Bollywood movies offer a unique blend of genres, and this workshop captures the essence of it all. Don’t miss your chance to groove to catchy tunes and immerse yourself in the excitement of Bollywood dance during this special event at DANCE24, part of an experimental dance festival running from May 22nd to June 1st.

Dance24 is about more than simply career advancement; it’s also about community involvement. While events like Studio1’s Sandpit and Exchange offer a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process, weekly mixers give artists and dance aficionados alike the chance to network and create in a dynamic setting.

“Dance24 is a joyful celebration of Queensland’s richness and diversity in dance,” as Genevieve Trace, Executive Director of Metro Arts, so eloquently puts it.

Whether you’re an experienced performer, an inquisitive viewer, or just someone who enjoys moving, Dance24 extends an invitation to you to experience the wonder of dance and learn about all the opportunities it presents.

Published Date 01-April-2024

Metro Arts in West End Faces Federal Arts Funding Loss

Metro Arts, a prominent multi-arts organisation based in West End, has recently faced a major setback as it failed to secure four-year funding from Creative Australia, sending ripples of distress through the artistic community that heavily relies on its support.

Despite its deep historical roots in Queensland’s cultural landscape and a track record of supporting emerging artists, Metro Arts is now grappling with an uncertain future beyond 2025.

In 2023, Metro Arts provided support to over 400 artists, contributed to the development of 32 new Australian works, and welcomed more than 32,000 patrons to its gallery and theatre spaces. Although Metro Arts’ leaders say this funding loss won’t shut them down, it’s a big setback that limits their ability to support artists beyond 2025.

A Transition in 2019

Metro Arts underwent a significant transition in 2019 when it relocated from its historic CBD venue to a new development in West End. This move injected substantial funds into the organisation. However, within a volatile six-month period, the sale of the CBD building, securing four-year funding from the Australia Council, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented both opportunities and challenges.

To deal with financial challenges, Metro Arts started the Metro Arts Future Fund in 2020, with over $6 million to start. The portfolio grew in 2021, but there were big losses in 2022. Executive Director Genevieve Trace says they need to protect the main money and reinvest earnings for long-term sustainability, a strategy common in the philanthropic world.

The Metro Arts Future Fund

Former CEO Jo Thomas and current Executive Director Genevieve Trace are puzzled and frustrated by Creative Australia‘s decision. This situation raises worries about small to medium arts groups’ financial future, how federal funding is assessed, and what it means for Queensland’s art scene.

Creative Australia’s change from using “peer assessors” to “industry consultants” in the latest funding round has Metro Arts leaders questioning their methods. They say this doesn’t match the needs of the arts, especially groups that promote interdisciplinary work.

Metro Arts West End — Photo Credit: MetroArts/Facebook

Queensland’s share of federal arts funds is part of the problem, with the state getting only 8 per cent of the total funds compared to Victoria and New South Wales. The leaders are frustrated and want a more equal distribution of resources and more involvement from Creative Australia with states other than Sydney and Melbourne.

In response to Creative Australia’s criticism, Executive Director Genevieve Trace wrote an open letter defending Metro Arts’ impact. They are now planning for the future, focusing on resilience and adapting while still supporting Brisbane artists, even if it’s on a smaller scale. Board Chair Fiona Hawthorne stresses that their organisation remains artist-focused.

Metro Arts’ legacy in the Queensland arts scene is rich, boasting notable alumni such as Wesley Enoch AM, Vernon Ah Kee, Gemma Smith, Robert Andrew, Liesel Zink, The Farm, Dead Puppets Society, and Dan Evans. This organisation has played a vital role in nurturing talent across various artistic disciplines, including theatre, visual arts, and contemporary and interdisciplinary practices.

Precision: The Art of Cutting Takes Centre Stage at Metro Arts

Photo credit: Metro Arts - Anna Carey / metroarts.com.au

Metro Arts in West End, Queensland is set to host PRECISION, an exciting exhibition centred around incising, folding, and cutting paper.

Read: Brisbane Tool Library in Urgent Need of New Home to Keep Serving Community

The exhibition will feature a diverse range of artworks, including paper, photographs, installations, and three-dimensional wall sculptures. The exhibition is curated by Stephanie Lindquist, with Minqi Gu.

Precision: The Art of Cutting Takes Centre Stage at Metro Arts — Photo credit: Metro Arts – Elysha Rei / metroarts.com.au

In association with Brisbane Art Design 2023, the exhibition features associated public programs, including a papercutting demonstration with artist Elysha Rei. Visitors can observe Rei’s hand-cut papercutting arts practice while gaining insight into the delicate art form. The workshop will take place on 27 May 2023, from 10 am to 1 pm, and visitors are welcome to converse with the artist while she is working.

In addition to the demonstration, there will be a family-friendly paper-cutting workshop with artist Pamela See (Xue Mei-Ling) on 28 May 2023 from 11 am to 1 pm. Children from four years old and up can participate in this free workshop to create their own China bowl filled with papercut treats.

One of the unique public artworks presented during the exhibition is Harvest, a collaborative piece by Minqi Gu and First Nations artist Brian Robinson.

From 27 to 28 May 2023, the artwork will centre around clay and collaboration, inviting the audience to harvest small ceramic petals created by Gu, which are spread throughout the West Village precinct.

The work celebrates Robinson’s heritage and tradition and extends into the lush surroundings of the West Village precinct, allowing the audience to participate in the evolving story of the artwork.

Read: West End’s Parched Brewery Seeks New Ownership Opportunity Through Voluntary Administration Process

PRECISION: The Art of Cutting is an exhibition not to be missed. The event will run from 6 May to 10 June 2023, at the Metro Arts Galleries located at 97 Boundary Street, West End.

Published 1-May-2023