Arts Special Projects - Australia-Japan Arts Network

Special Projects

Australia-Japan Arts Network 1998-2002

The Australia-Japan Arts Network was an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to develop a network between high-level arts managers and their organisations in Australia and their counterparts in Japan. The Australia Council and the Australia-Japan Foundation joined DFAT in the program to enable senior arts managers to spend approximately two - three months in Japan.

Project Description

Between 1998 and 2002 the project placed key Australian arts managers (from the areas of performing arts, visual arts and festivals) in significant Japanese cultural institutions for periods of two to three months. One key requirement for selection was that the managers be in a position to use their experience of the Japanese system and the contacts they make to facilitate arts exchanges between Australia and Japan upon their return.

Aims:

To broaden opportunities for high level Australian arts managers to develop ongoing relationships with colleagues and arts organisations in Japan.
To build relationships between key arts institutions in Australia and Japan, reflecting the spirit of the friendship anniversaries of the Australia-Japan relationship.

Outcomes

The Australian Arts Managers facilitate further exchanges and opportunities between Australia and Japan to encourage a wider understanding of the art, cultural forms and the arts infrastructure of the two countries.
As a result, the organisations of the Australian Arts Managers develop further meaningful relationships, associations and projects with organisations and institutions in Japan.

The project differs from Asialink's Arts Management Residencies in that it aims for a higher level of exchange in terms of Australian personnel and position within the arts infrastructure of the host country. There is a greater emphasis on the applicant's ability to facilitate future exchanges and opportunities upon their return.

Previous participants:

Amanda Courd, Executive Producer One Extra Dance Company, worked with the Japan Contemporary Dance Network, 2002.
Sally Couacaud, formerly Curator at the Sydney Open Museum at the City of Sydney, worked with Art Front Gallery in Tokyo, 2001.
Michael Snelling, Director of the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, worked with the Fukuoka Art Museum, 1999.
Cate Fowler, Artistic Director of the Out Of The Box Festival of Early Childhood, Queensland, worked with the Urinko Theater Troupe in Nagoya, 1998/9.
Sarah Miller, Director of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), Western Australia, worked with Spiral/ Wacoal Arts Centre in Tokyo, 1998.

Cate Fowler (left) with Doka Ichikawa