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Art & Cultural Opportunities
Pittwater Council provides opportunities for artists through a number of mechanisms. Dedicating spaces in council’s community centres for cultural activities provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit locally, while the Social Planning and Community Development team works within a community development framework to build the capacity of local groups and individuals. Listed below are some of the strategies Pittwater Council employs to support cultural development.
ArtZpace
ArtZpace is a biennual exhibition initiated by Pittwater Council. ArtZpace aims to:
- promote emerging local artists
- give artists experience running an exhibition
- offer the community access to a high-quality exhibition
Every second year in January the main hall of Avalon Recreation Centre hosts an exhibition of work by emerging artists called ArtZpace.
Open to young or emerging local artists, the exhibition provides participants with the opportunity to display and sell their work in a professional setting, and to contribute to the management of the show. Under the guidance of a professional Coordinator, artists market and mount the show, and build invaluable skills and networks.
Previous ArtZpace exhibitions have been highly successful. The 2012 ArtZpace included artists working across a range of media and forms. Participating artists enjoyed a number of positive outcomes from exhibiting in ArtZpace, including sales, commissions, offers for representation in commercial galleries, and strengthened peer networks.
ArtZpace is a popular fixture on the Pittwater arts calendar. Initially an annual event, the exhibition draws audiences from a variety of ages across the Northern Beaches as well as holiday makers.
ArtZpace 2014
Applications are now open for ArtZpace 2014. Young and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
Please read the guidelines below before completing the application form.
Deadline: Friday, 31 May 2013, 5pm
For further information about future ArtZpace exhibitions:-
Contact: Zoe Johnson, Community Development Officer, Pittwater Council
Phone: 9970 1171
Email: zoe_johnson@pittwater.nsw.gov.au
- ArtZpace 2014 Guidelines
- ArtZpace 2014 Application Form
- ArtZpace 2014 Poster
- Local arts events & activities
24/7 Youth Film Festival
The annual 24/7 Youth Film Festival is run by Pittwater, Manly, Warringah and Mosman Councils. The festival is built around a competition. The challenge: to produce a film of up to seven minutes in just 24 hours. All submitted films are screened at local cinemas in September, with the top ten being showcased in a Finals and Awards Night.
In the lead-up to the competition, the festival includes a range of workshops to build the skills of budding actors, directors, editors and cinematographers.
The Pittwater Feed
The Pittwater Feed is an e-letter which builds the capacity of individuals and groups involved in the arts and culture in Pittwater.
This e-letter delivers news on important opportunities and policy developments in the cultural sector. Amalgamating information from various RSS feeds and web-sites, The Pittwater Feed feeds key information to locals working and volunteering in the arts.
The Pittwater Feed compliments the work of existing local hubs which disseminate information on arts and cultural events and activities.
Previous editions:
- Pittwater Feed February 2013
- Pittwater Feed December 2012
- Pittwater Feed October 2012
- Pittwater Feed August 2012
Pittwater Community Arts Biennial Children’s ArtFest
Since being initiated by local artist Meredith Rasdall in 1998, the Children’s ArtFest has run every second year. ArtFest is now managed by Pittwater Community Arts.
ArtFest is comprised of an art exhibition and competition, and an Art in the Park day. The exhibition, which is also a competition, is open to high school, primary and pre-school students and infants. In 2008 and 2010 over 500 art works by local children and young people were hung in the exhibition at Avalon Recreation Centre.
Art in the Park is held at Avalon’s Dunbar Park, and is a highlight of the festival. Young people and children and invited to participate in workshops and stalls run by artists and musicians.
Pittwater Community Arts is presenting ArtFest once again in 2012, with a theme of ‘Our Community’.
For additional information visit:
Space for hire
Newport Community Centre, Avalon Recreation Centre, Mona Vale Memorial Hall
Rooms are available for hire at Pittwater Council’s community facilities for the purpose of running classes, holding art exhibitions and performances, and hosting other cultural activities.
Local exhibitions, performances, markets and cultural events
Exhibitions, markets and cultural events are regularly held at Pittwater Council’s community centres. For upcoming shows visit Pittwater Council’s Community Calendar of Events, or download the Community Centres Brochure.
Art Classes
A number of art classes are held at Avalon Recreation Centre and Newport Community Centre. For more information download the Community Centres Brochure.
History week
Each year Mona Vale Library celebrates history week with events and activities.
Guringai Festival
Founded in 2001, the Guringai Festival aims to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Northern Sydney region. Each year the festival typically runs between Sorry Day on 26 May to the end of NAIDOC Week, the second week in July.
The festival involves 11 councils, including Pittwater Council, and numerous reconciliation and community groups. Events include workshops, art exhibitions, performances, films and talks.
Want to know what’s happening in Pittwater or across the Northern Beaches?
To find out what events are happening in Pittwater, or to advertise an event you are running, visit the Pittwater Council events calendar.
Want more links on clubs and lessons?
Check out the useful website links page.
Interested in funding, grants and arts news?
Check out the useful website links page.
