Media Release

Monday, 9 November 2009

A seminar about how art can make a difference to agriculture's bottom line will be explored at the Australia's Creative Rural Economy (ACRE) event at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery on Wednesday, 25 November.

Re-connecting the arts, rural culture and farmer creativity is the theme of the half-day seminar, which will discuss the success of partnerships between agriculture and the arts industry and its role in stimulating the economy and growing communities.

Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery Director Ian Tully said the seminar would include speakers presenting case studies of successful creative projects in rural communities in response to social and environmental change.

“Guest speakers will include Dr Ian Hunter who is the Director and lead artist of Littoral Arts Trust in Britain, South Australian farmer and artist James Darling, Melbourne filmmaker, artist and writer Malcolm McKinnon and Moulamein Art Gallery representative, artist and farmer Barb Harris,” he said.

“We will also be hearing from the Artistic Director of the Clunes Back to Booktown event Dr Tess Brady and Cr Tim Hayes from the Hepburn Shire Council.”

A panel discussion will then follow, revolving around themes including the benefits of a rural community embracing the arts and building potential cultural tourism.

“This seminar has many potential outcomes including artists-in-residence programs, development of agricultural art skills, development of cultural tourism opportunities and more,” Mr Tully said.

“It also provides an opportunity for a range of community members to come together such as councillors and farmers, as well as arts and agricultural business people and discuss what the arts can do for communities.”

ACRE is open to farmers and rural leaders, councillors from the Swan Hill, Buloke, Gannawarra and Wakool municipalities and interested members of small towns across the region.

The seminar will cost $40 (which includes lunch) and will take place on Wednesday, 25 November from 11am until 4.30pm at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery.

To register, please email the Art Gallery at artgal@swanhill.vic.gov.au or call 5036 2430 by Monday, 23 November for catering purposes.