2013-2014 RAP Annual Review

SYDNEY FESTIVALRECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW2013–2014

Launched in July 2013, our RAP outlines our commitment to closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their fellow Australians by creating and fostering an organisational environment that cherishes respect, creates opportunity and builds cultural awareness.

Sydney Festival recognises that Sydney is a vast, complex and exuberant city of cultural contrasts and social diversity, that Sydney’s Indigenous heritage and contemporary culture lie deep within the city’s identity and are key to an enlightened and progressive festival.

The Shadow King, photo Prudence Upton.

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Indigenous art and culture has always held a special place within the Sydney Festival program. Over the years, the Festival has celebrated and profiled the talents of respected artists, leaders and companies.

In July 2013, Sydney Festival launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Sydney Festival’s vision for reconciliation is to formally and informally engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities and to positively contribute to closing the gap between Indigenous and other Australians.

We do this by committing to: respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures; offer employment opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; offer development and presentation opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers; and build cultural awareness and understanding among our staff, stakeholders and audiences of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories.

Further to this, the Festival was thrilled to present The Shadow King with its all-Indigenous cast including Tom E. Lewis, Jimi Bani, Jada Alberts, Selwyn Burns, Frances Djulibing, Rarriwuy Hick, Damion Hunter, Kamahi Djordon King, Natasha Wanganeen and Bart Willoughby.

Indigenous artists were also integrated into many other Festival programs including: as part of About an Hour we presented Marrugeku’s Gudirr Gudirr, a solo dance piece by Dalisa Pigram with visuals by Vernon Ah Kee; City of Sydney’s Lawn Library in the Festival Village featured workshops and storytelling by Matt Doyle; and both Domain concerts featured projections of Daniel Boyd’s exquisite History is Made at Night.

In 2014, we employed two Indigenous interns and other contractors in administration. The Music Programming Internship, supported by APRA’s Song Cycles Program was taken up by Thalia Skopellos and the Programming Intern (Theatre and Dance) position, supported by Arts NSW was held by Louana Sainsbury. We were delighted to welcome back a previous Indigenous intern, Leah Flanagan, as a receptionist during the period of the Festival.

Black Diggers, photo Jamie Williams.

The Sydney Festival RAP Working Group, led by the Executive Director, is made up of eight members of staff representing each Festival department. The Working Group meets quarterly and consults with our Indigenous business and arts partners regularly for guidance and advice. Our current RAP is focused on promoting employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of the Festival.

Indigenous art and culture has always held a special place within the Sydney Festival program. Over the years, the Festival has celebrated and profiled the talents of respected artists, leaders and companies. As we develop ideas, the Festival consults with local organisations such as Sydney’s Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, the City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group and specific project-based reference groups.

In 2014, we were proud to initiate, co-commission and produce Black Diggers in close collaboration with Queensland Theatre Company. This included building relationships and setting up an Indigenous Reference Group with individuals and representatives such as the Babana Men’s Group, the Indigenous Liaison Officers at the Australian War Memorial, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association, individual returned service men, historians and others.

The Festival presented the work over 10 days for an audience of more than 5,000 people including free and discounted community tickets to ensure Indigenous audiences were able to experience the work. We also presented a free talk featuring Wesley Enoch, Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA and Gary Oakley.

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RELATIONSHIPSUncle Max Eulo performs the smoking ceremony, Sydney Festival 2014 Launch, photo Jamie Williams.

Sydney’s Festival is one of Sydney’s most important global meeting places. We want all citizens to participate in, have access to, and feel genuine ownership of, their Sydney Festival.

FOCUS AREA: DEVELOP DEEPER, SUSTAINABLE AND MORE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS, ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE MEASURABLE TARGET PROGRESS PROGRESS INDICATOR

A RAP Working Group established

Executive Director, Heads of Departments, Board

August 2012 – July 2013

• Board and staff endorse commitment to develop RAP

• In Sept 2012 the Executive Director signed a Statement of Commitment to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan by July 2013. The Sydney Festival officially launched it's first RAP on the 26 July 2013

• The working group comprises key members of Sydney Festival staff drawn from each department

• Working Group formed with representatives from each department

• Working group meets quarterly • Working Group met in Mar 2013, Jun 2013, Mar 2014 & July 2014

• Working Group organises an internal event for National Reconciliation Week

• Staff lunch and film screening as part of National Reconciliation Week

Identify key Indigenous advisors to the RAP working group

RAP Working Group

July 2013 • Two external meetings with Indigenous advisors during development of RAP

• Meetings held with Reconciliation Australia, Australia Council, Arts NSW, Media Ring, Gadigal Information Services and the RAP representative from the Sydney Opera House

• Request Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council review draft RAP

• Completed

Meet with key Indigenous partners to explore more meaningful ways to develop ongoing relationships

Executive Director, relevant Heads of Departments

September 2013

• Regular meetings between Sydney Festival and relevant media and arts organisations including: Gadigal Information Services, NCIE, NITV, Moogahlin Performing Arts

• Media relationships have been focused around annual projects such as Black Diggers. Broader ongoing media relationships should be explored

Promote Indigenous events, activities, businesses and news

Marketing and Programming Departments

Ongoing • Promotion of Indigenous events and news to Sydney Festival staff and supporters through Festival e-news, website and social media.

• Achieved

• Festival subscribes to Indigenous online resources, for example, The Black Book

• Further consideration required

• Up to date listings of Indigenous businesses included in the Sydney Festival Artist Pack

• Clippings from Indigenous media included in the daily media updates to festival staff

• Achieved

Meet with key Sydney Indigenous leaders to advise of Sydney Festival annual program

Festival Director, Head of Programming, relevant Programming staff

September 2013 and annually thereafter

• Presentation of 2014 festival program to City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group and Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council before public launch

• Senior staff met with the CoS Advisory Group in Oct 2013.

Identify and research Indigenous charity to support annually

RAP Working Group

March 2013

• 2013 Indigenous charity Aboriginal Literacy Foundation endorsed by entire staff

• ALF was endorsed by staff and a small group entered the City to Surf raising money for the ALF

Develop and maintain Indigenous database

Programming and Marketing departments

Current • Database created in ENTA and regularly updated and ready for Sydney Festival invitation list mail-out each October

• Created and updated

• Indigenous leaders identified and included in VIP database

• Created and updated

• Establish data base of audiences to Indigenous events

• Ongoing development

Long-range strategic and respectful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are essential to the Festival’s relevance in contemporary Australia. The objective is to increase participation of Indigenous artists and audiences, and the Festival's ability to leave a lasting cultural legacy on which to build on for future generations.

Achieved On TrackExceeded Not Achieved

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RESPECTBlack Diggers, photo Aaron Tait.

FOCUS AREA: PUBLICLY DEMONSTRATE THE FESTIVAL’S RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ARTS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE AND CREATE AND PROMOTE SYDNEY FESTIVAL AS A CULTURALLY SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.


Create and maintain Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols for Sydney Festival use

Programming Department

September 2013

• Current protocols updated and approved by Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council

• Protocol written and approved by MLALC

• Development of protocols for Sydney Festival events taking place on land outside of MLALC jurisdiction

• WTC Protocol covers consultation process when working on different country

Acknowledgement of Country to be included in the Sydney Festival brochure

Marketing Department

September 2013

• Text approved by Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council

• Acknowledgement text approved by MLALC in Sept 2013

• Acknowledgement published in 2014 Festival brochure

• Acknowledgement published in 2014 brochure

Cultural Awareness training

RAP Working Group

August 2012

• Cultural awareness training annually for all permanent staff

• All staff attended Cultural Awareness training in June 2013

• Commencement of employment packs for all permanent and temporary staff to include RAP summary

• Achieved

Sydney Festival staff engage with or attend significant Indigenous activities and events to promote cultural awareness

RAP Working Group

Ongoing • Each permanent staff member provided with an opportunity to attend at least one Indigenous event annually with special focus on National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week

• Staff attended the City of Sydney 2013 NAIDOC celebrations in Hyde Park and the NAIDOC exhibition Hereby Make Protest at Carriageworks in 2014. A staff lunch and film screening was held to mark Reconciliation Week in 2014

• Sydney Festival purchase an Aboriginal Flag to hang in reception on significant Indigenous days

• Flag flown for NAIDOC week 2013 & 2014. It was also displayed during National Reconciliation Week 2014.

Investigate policy parameters to support culturally sensitive recruitment, contract process and workplace

RAP Working Group, Heads of Departments

July 2013 • Employment contracts revised • Completed

• Distribution of Generation One Handbook for Indigenous Employment to all staff

• Completed

• Audit existing policies and procedures for cultural sensitivity

• Completed. Revised HR Policy released in 2014

• Develop an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Leave Policy

• Completed. Revised HR Policy released in 2014

Festival to apply appropriate cultural protocols to all processes and events

All Departments July 2013 • Distribution of Australia Council Indigenous protocol guides for Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Music to all staff

• Completed

Promote workplace connection to Indigenous Australia

RAP Working Group

September 2013

• Indigenous country maps displayed prominently in Festival office

• Map not publicly displayed but is available for staff to review

• Commission of artwork for new Festival office

• Partnership with Artbank to display an annual rotation of artworks in the office

• Acknowledgement of Country plaque at reception

• Not completed

• Promotion of current Indigenous events and programs on social media platforms and internally

• Achieved

• Provide staff with background of previous work by Indigenous artists participating in the Festival

• Achieved

It is important Sydney Festival respects Indigenous peoples, their culture, land and history to maintain its profile as a cultural leader locally, nationally and internationally.

By acknowledging the enormous contributions Australia’s first peoples have made to this country and by fostering a sustainable and progressive platform for future Indigenous stories, engagement and employment, Sydney Festival will be able to accurately reflect its time and place in contemporary society.


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OPPORTUNITIESGudirr Gudirr, photo Heidrun Lohr.

FOCUS AREA: IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT AND RELATIONSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ACROSS ALL FESTIVAL DEPARTMENTS AND DEVELOP CAREER PATHWAYS FOR EMERGING ARTISTS AND ARTS WORKERS.


Indigenous employment

Executive Director, Heads of Departments

July 2013 • Heads of Department meetings include discussion on development of strategy toward employment of full-time Indigenous staff

• Insufficient Progress

• Meetings with two Indigenous employment agencies, including Career Trackers


• Identify four arts organisations with a commitment to Reconciliation to discuss development of a peer support network to share experiences, knowledge and opportunities to secure longer term employment outcomes for Indigenous arts workers and artists


• Meeting with Australia Council to explore opportunities in arts and cultural sector to develop leadership in Indigenous sector

• Affiliate status granted by ATSI board. Further progress pending Australia Council review

Indigenous internships

RAP Working Group, Heads of Departments

September 2013

• Development of Sydney Festival intern program encouraging Indigenous participation

• Completed

• Meetings with Indigenous departments of key NSW based tertiary institutions

• Completed

• Secondment opportunities of Sydney Festival staff to Indigenous organisations investigated

• Not completed

• Become a member of the Media Ring • Affiliate status achieved

• Secured funding for a paid Intern position in the Programming department

• Completed

Investigate potential Indigenous board member

Executive Director, Board

November 2013

• Three candidates identified and presented to the chair of the board for consideration in succession planning

• Not completed

Align partnerships with other corporate and government organisations with RAPs

Development Department, Heads of Departments

Ongoing • Three sponsors and corporate organisations with RAPs identified and met to discuss potential opportunities

• Partners with RAP have been identified but no formal conversations

• RAP vision included in all Festival Development credential presentations

• Completed

Promote Reconciliation Action Plan

Marketing Department

July 2013 • Promotion of RAP through relevant marketing and communication streams

• Completed

• Public launch of RAP • Completed

Explore supplier diversity

Executive Director, Heads of Departments

September 2013

• Meeting with Supply Nation arranged • Completed

Network with Indigenous arts sector and support sector by attending and promoting events to create pathways to Sydney Festival

Programming Department

July 2013 • Identify works to be included in the 2014 and 2015 Sydney Festival

• Completed

Ongoing • Attend pitches, developments and performances of new Indigenous works

• Achieved

Opportunities for Indigenous individuals, organisations and communities are important to the program and staff development of Sydney Festival if it is to maintain its profile as a progressive, inclusive and socially responsible arts organisation.

The growth of a valuable network of Indigenous arts and corporate professionals will bring new perspectives and awareness of creative and business opportunities to Sydney Festival and promote workplace satisfaction.


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Level 5, 10 Hickson Road The Rocks NSW 2000 Australia

T +61 2 8248 6500 F +61 2 8248 6599 E [email protected] sydneyfestival.org.au

Cover image: Symphony in The Domain, photo Jamie Williams.

2013-2014 RAP Annual Review

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Transcript of 2013-2014 RAP Annual Review