2013—2014 ANNUAL REPORT

2013—2014 ANNUAL REPORT 

BELCONNEN ARTS CENTRE INCORPORATED

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Belconnen Arts Centre Annual Report 2013–14 

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CONTENTS 

Chair’s Report 4–5 

Governance Statement 8 

Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement 10 

Chief Executive Officer’s Report 12–13 

Artistic Program 16 

Exhibitions 17 

Community Cultural Inclusion Program 18 

Performance and Community Events Program 20–21 

Workshops and Classes 23 

Artists in Residence (AIR) 24 

Media and Marketing 25 

Venue Hire 27 

Financial Statements & Independent Auditor’s Report 28–31 

Cover: One River 

This page: One River

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Chair’s Report 

2013–14 was a remarkably successful year for Belconnen Arts 

Centre. 

In June 2013 we welcomed the new CEO Daniel Ballantyne 

and in so doing, the Board made clear we were open to 

change, a review of operations and, where necessary, a 

re–thinking of planning for the next phase of the Arts Centre 

and its overall position as an arts and cultural leader in the 

region. 

We wanted the Centre to become the best example of 

community engagement, creativity, innovative programming, 

strong leadership and sound governance. 

In the previous year, the Arts Centre experienced a year 

of consolidation. In 2013–14 we recognised the need for 

entrepreneurial leadership: a preparedness to focus on Stage 

2, building the business, the revenue, marketing, and creating 

new partnerships. 

Daniel and senior managers Jack Lloyd and Jacque Schultze 

delivered an exceptionally successful year. In addition, the 

Community Cultural Inclusion Program and its dedicated 

officers provided innovative programs and demonstrated 

highly creative leadership throughout the year. Julia Boyd, 

our Marketing Officer, significantly increased the profile of the 

Arts Centre and its programs. Our administrative and front– 

of–house staff ensured people felt welcome, and provided 

tremendous support to our many volunteers. Our finances were 

most capably managed. The Arts Centre thrived. 

In terms of quantitative data and meeting specified targets as 

identified in our agreement with the ACT Government, the Arts 

Centre delivered in almost every area of operations. 

Throughout 2013–14 the Board was particularly focussed 

on creating awareness within government of the need to 

complete Belconnen Arts Centre. 

We developed a strong business case for Stage 2 and 

subsequently met with Members of the Assembly, in 

particular, the Minister for the Arts and Members for 

Ginninderra. 

Daniel Ballantyne and Jack Lloyd provided excellent 

support and expertise throughout our campaign for a 

flexible performance space and function/gathering place 

for the community. 

In 2014 Tara Cheyne joined the Board, after the 

resignation of Belconnen Community Council’s delegate 

member, Shirley Gourgaud. We acknowledge the 

commitment and time given to BAC by Shirley. She was 

also a member of the early interim board before the 

opening of the Centre. 

Trenna Langdon joined the BAC Board in early 2014, 

as Strathnairn’s replacement delegate. The Board 

acknowledges the expertise and contribution of former 

Strathnairn delegate, Maryann Mussared. 

I’d like to thank our sponsors and partners who supported 

us throughout the year, in particular Ray White Belconnen. 

This sponsorship has enabled BAC to present a range 

of accessible programs for children. Affordability is an 

important aspect of building a culture of young people 

getting involved and excited about the arts, along with 

feeling perfectly at home in the Arts Centre. 

Financial performance was considerably up: hiring and 

rental income increased 50% in two years, workshop income 

doubled over the past two years, 47 exhibitions were installed, 

we enabled 3000 access hours to the community and BAC 

presented over 100 events (including performances, artists 

talks and forums). You will find extensive data to this effect 

elsewhere within the Annual Report. 

But quantitative data tells only part of the story. 

The Arts Centre is about community, developing ownership 

and providing opportunity for creative engagement. We are 

committed to facilitating the rich discovery of art–making in a 

supportive environment. 

In a world where art is sometimes considered an add–on, a 

luxury, and not readily available to the young people within our 

community, the Arts Centre has tried to ensure accessibility for 

all in a welcoming, authentic environment. 

In 2013, the Arts Centre was once again awarded the Chief 

Minister’s Inclusion Award in recognition of our commitment 

to encourage, welcome and support people with a disability. 

We’re very proud of that achievement – and we’re even 

prouder of the programs, the fantastic participants, and our 

staff that made it all happen. 

I would like to thank all BAC Board members. It’s been 

a challenging year but a tremendously happy and 

rewarding one for the Centre. The collective skills and 

expertise of our Board contributed strong financial, legal, 

and HR guidance along with an overall commitment 

to the financial stability and future development of the 

organisation. 

Daniel and the BAC team delivered a great result in 2013– 

14. They have been ably supported by over 40 volunteers, 

delivering more than 2000 hours throughout the year. 

That’s an impressive commitment and we would like to 

acknowledge the ongoing contribution of our volunteers. 

We are very lucky. 

We thank the ACT Government and staff at artsACT for 

their support and overall encouragement. Their pride and 

belief in the work that we do is greatly appreciated. 

In conclusion, 2013–14 was an excellent year. On behalf 

of the Board, our thanks to all who helped make it such a 

stand–out success. 

Room to Move – Inclusive Community Dance 

The Community Cultural Inclusion Program has been an 

important one for the Arts Centre. In terms of targeted 

programs BAC has consistently engaged with culturally and 

linguistically diverse communities and with Aboriginal and 

Torres Strait islanders, especially through the exceptionally 

fine NAIDOC week programs: workshops, exhibitions and 

performances. 

Evol McLeod 

Chair, Belconnen Arts Centre Incorporated 

Artist Ying Zhang

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Love the sense of 

community and public 

enthusiasm and extensive 

variety of the Arts for us 

all to see and be part of. 

Jane Dunn, via Facebook 

Student from College Express

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Governance Statement 

Belconnen Arts Centre Incorporated (BAC Inc.) is a not–for–profit 

incorporated association established in May 2009 to manage and 

operate Belconnen Arts Centre on Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT. 

Membership 

The general membership of the organisation over the 2013–14 

year was 6 financial members, these being businesses and 

organisations having an interest in the Belconnen region. 

Members at June 30 2014 are: 

• Belconnen Community Council – delegate, Tara Cheyne 

• Belconnen Community Services Inc. – delegate, Dira Horne, CEO 

• Phoenix Players – delegate, Graham Bauerle 

• Strathnairn Arts Association – delegate, Trenna Langdon 

• The Rock Group – delegate, Maria Efkarpidis, Director 

• University of Canberra – delegate, Paul Hetherington 

The BAC Board plans for succession through its recruitment effort 

and sub-committee structure. The current Board is also working on 

constitutional reform which will include initiatives that will enhance 

recruitment options including restoring the practice of Ministerial 

appointments. The Board has a documented and detailed table 

of the range of skills it seeks in new members and to ensure key 

specialisations such as legal, human resources management, 

cultural development are actively sought. 

A Deputy Chair position plus Executive & Finance and other 

sub–committee engagements provide board members with 

opportunities to build experience, an appreciation of history and 

deepen their understanding of key issues. 

Board of Management 

Board Membership as at June 30 2014 

Name 

Ms Evol McLeod OAM 

Dr Paul Hetherington 

Mr Rex Hollier 

Mr Graham Bauerle 

Ms Tara Cheyne 

Ms Gillian Harris–Mayes 

Ms Trenna Langdon 

Position, representation 

and skills 

Chair – appointed member, 

community arts, theatre, 

arts management 

Deputy Chair – delegate 

member representing 

University of Canberra, 

cultural policy & literature 

Treasurer – appointed 

member, CPA 

Delegate member 

representing Phoenix 

Players, theatre 


representing Belconnen 

Community Council 

Appointed member, human 

resources 


representing Strathnairn 

Arts, government & policy 

development 

Began 

Review 

May 2010 AGM Oct 2014 

April 2013 AGM Oct 2014 

January 2012 AGM Oct 2014 

February 2010 AGM Oct 2014 

May 2014 AGM Oct 2014 

April 2013 AGM Oct 2014 

February 2014 AGM Oct 2014 

Dr Asmi Wood Appointed member, law July 2012 AGM Oct 2014 

Loungin’ by the Lake

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Treasurer’s Report and 

Financial Statement 

2013–14 

Through the commendable efforts of management and staff, 

the Belconnen Arts Centre (BAC) completed the 2013–14 

financial year achieving a surplus of $23,750, on total income 

of $961,600 (2.47%). This result exceeds the surplus budgeted 

at $10,470 and also favourably compares with last year’s 

surplus of $22,500. To achieve this, the Board has ensured 

entrepreneurial considerations are a part of developing the 

overall Centre program. 

We remain a long way short of the benchmark performance 

standard set by artsACT of a surplus of 10% of gross income. 

BAC has chosen to build towards that performance target 

while developing a full and varied program of activities 

embracing our community and cultural inclusion goals. 

Completion of the second stage of the building holds the 

key to significantly growing our own sourced revenues, not 

only from a much wider program of activities but also from 

donations, sponsors and philanthropy. The wider range 

of activities enabled by the completed building, and the 

cementing of BAC as the cultural hub in our region, will 

naturally be attractive to community, business partners 

and philanthropists. 

Our current account position remains strong with current 

assets of $550,861 ($239,132 after adjusting out the artsACT 

receivable of grants money for 2014–15, for comparison 

purposes) and current liabilities of $74,587. 

In 2013–14 the team improved its Project Grant application 

success with a total of $100,160 project grants received. 

Other own sourced income was $300,300, while Core and (the 

new) Community Cultural Inclusion Program grants totalled 

$561,100. This has been a pleasing performance for the year. 

The team has worked hard to build up other areas of revenues, 

being particularly successful in commissions on artworks sold 

through the exhibition program, and in continuing to closely 

monitor our hires and rentals. 

The Balance Sheet equity position has improved again to 

$97,697, up from $73,947 over the 12 months to 30 June 

2014. On this count we now meet for the first time the 

benchmark performance standard set by artsACT of retained 

earnings exceeding 10% of the gross income. 

This year 2014 marks the end of our initial 5 year grant period. 

We are pleased to report a strong net asset position at the end 

of that five year grant period. This is testament to the dedicated 

hard work of the staff and Board, and strong governance 

through that initial 5 year period. The Board looks ahead with 

confidence to the negotiations for the next 5 year cycle. 

BAC has agreed to change the reporting year to a calendar 

year to align with the reporting period of the artsACT grants 

program. This means that BAC will also produce a 6 month 

report to, and as at, 31 December 2014; then continue 

thereafter with a 12 month cycle of reporting beginning 

1 January 2015. The change also affords an opportunity to 

further develop our reporting capabilities enabling more 

comprehensive and more efficiently produced information on 

a cost centre basis across our various activities and programs. 

BAC was pleased to finally resolve with artsACT the 

uncertainty over accounting for and future management of 

the Centre’s major assets. While concerned with the some 

of the related decisions, we now have certainty and can 

work to strategically and financially manage the Centre’s 

operating asset base, a significant element of which are not 

on BAC’s Balance Sheet. 

Challenges for the coming years include building on our 

local community and business partnerships, eventually 

developing these as a significant source of income, and 

entrenching the Centre as the prime regional community 

focus for arts and cultural activities. Developing our 

own source income, or non grant income, is particularly 

important for the Belconnen Arts Centre as it remains a high 

risk strategy to continue reliance on Government grants if 

we wish also to continue to attract and retain high calibre 

staff to the Centre and run successful programs across the 

arts spectrum. 

My strong vote of thanks to the staff and Board of 

Belconnen Arts Centre again this year for their dedication, 

passion and successes over the year. 

Rex Hollier 

Treasurer, Belconnen Arts Centre Incorporated 

One River

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Chief Executive 

Officer’s Report 

I’m pleased to report Belconnen Arts Centre’s record 

of creative program growth, financial consolidation, 

and even risk taking (!), has continued. As Chair Evol 

McLeod and Treasurer Rex Hollier have detailed in 

their contributions and by scrutinising the many other 

measures, financial or otherwise, in this Annual Report, 

Belconnen Arts Centre has delivered on its purpose – 

To fuel a love of and engagement with the arts. 

Furthermore over the period of this report the Board, 

the staff group, our supporters and the broader 

community have driven a process of engagement, 

reflection and planning to ensure the next five years 

Belconnen Arts Centre fulfils our vision – To be an 

outstanding centre of arts and cultural activity in the 

ACT and beyond. 

Our Chair Evol McLeod asked me recently what I 

considered the most important strategies of the last 

annual reporting period. I responded with these three: 

1. Building the BAC team 

2. Creating the next 5 year Strategic Plan 

3. Realising a detailed and a credible vision for 

Stage 2 

Why would these three ensure we fulfil our purpose? 

Organisations are, of course, only as good as their 

people. And Belconnen Arts Centre has very good 

people working here. Our two Directors, Jacque 

Schultze for the Creative Program and Jack Lloyd for 

Business and Operations, have led in the creation 

an arts and community cultural organisation that 

someone arriving fresh to a new leadership role could 

only dream about. Jacque and Jack’s networks and 

command of day-to-day program and operations 

ensured I could make the time to develop a strategic 

overview and build critical relationships with our Board 

and our community, and for this I am most grateful and 

extend to both great thanks. 

At the core of any community cultural organisation 

is the creative team, led at BAC by Jacque and our 

Community Cultural Inclusion Officers, Philip Piggin, 

Ann McMahon and Robyn Frances Higgins, and until 

late 2013 Robin Davidson and Nicola Lambert. The 

Creative Program reports in latter pages provide the 

full breadth of their achievements and impacts. I’d like 

to highlight one from each officer. Philip Piggin helped 

secure the future of Dance for People with Parkinson’s 

and extended this extraordinary program to our sister 

arts centre at Tuggeranong, and in his own right as 

an extraordinary dance and movement practitioner 

was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. Ann McMahon 

secured the contract and delivered easily the largest 

and most complex community cultural inclusion event 

undertaken by BAC with the Canberra 100 Portrait of a 

Nation – Unmade Edges Distinctive Places. Six outlying 

ACT communities had the unique opportunity, thanks 

to generous funding, to express themselves through 

a series of artistic workshops, events and exhibitions. 

Ann accessed her extraordinary network of artists and 

drew on her public art project management experience 

to deliver one of the most satisfying, engaging and 

well attended Canberra 100 celebrations. Robyn 

France Higgins joined us in April and her impact was 

immediate. Drawing on her international development 

experience, Robyn is implementing an innovative 

and highly considered approach to community 

engagement, reflection, strategic planning and 

execution. And to help publicly launch the Community 

Cultural Inclusion Program, Robyn devised the very 

very cute “Send Us Your Selfie”! 

We are particularly glad to have continued working 

with Robin Davidson through his creation of Move 

Speak Act working with mental health clients and 

toward a performance during the 2014 Mindscapes 

Festival. Nicola Lambert thrives with her inventive 

tuition and development of the ArtSpace group, a key 

component of BAC’s overarching strategy to access, 

passage and ultimately foster careers of artists with a 

disability. 

Our Creative Program is preeminent, and it needs to 

be supported, profiled and promoted. It is a team 

effort. Further the Creative Program requires funds 

well beyond that provided by grants and the like, so 

we exploit our physical and intellectual assets through 

commercial application. Jack Lloyd leads a team 

including Julia Boyd, Pat Miller and Dianne Libke plus 

our highly valued casuals and volunteers. The creation 

of a full time Venue Hire and Marketing positon and 

Julia’s rapid consolidation of the role is reflected in 

the substantial growth both in attendance at BAC 

programs and events and in private hire income. 

BAC’s public and media presentation has never 

looked better or more effective. Pat Miller our Finance 

Officer along with our Executive Sub Committee is 

key to understanding our position through timely 

and effective systems that are always up for review 

and reform. Pat has made significant contribution to 

BAC’s reputation for good governance and financial 

practice. Dianne ensures we have a front of house that 

presents beautifully and ensures our visitors, casuals 

and volunteers are welcomed, supported and listed 

to. Dianne is an exhibition opening night dynamo who 

backs up the next morning ensuring a mass of children 

make it to the right creative workshop! 

Arts Centres are serious public investments, they have 

to be both prudent and adventurous and they must 

make good plans. The completion and submission 

to artsACT of our Strategic Plan 2015–2019 is both a 

multimillion dollar funding application and importantly 

an affirmation of our purpose. We are determined to 

make it our practice to systematically refer to and test 

ourselves against our new key goals, and these are: 

1. To be acclaimed as a leader in community 

cultural development 

2. To create an attractive and inclusive 

community and cultural arts centre 

3. Deliver Stage 2 

And we are well on the way to delivering the Arts 

Centre’s Stage 2 to a Belconnen town centre that 

is growing and asserting a new identity. Stage 2 

will provide a burgeoning North of Canberra that is 

demanding a sophisticated and accessible community 

and cultural facility with both a live performance and 

community events capacity that will meet their and the 

next generation’s needs. A completed Belconnen Arts 

Centre, magnificent on the shore of Lake Ginninderra, 

will be for all of us a place to create, commune, exhibit, 

perform or simply feel proud. 

The plans are ready, the numbers have been crunched, 

the case has been made – and will continue to be 

made. Twenty years ago some very special and forward 

thinking people started this. They knew Belconnen can 

and should build a creative heart. 

Daniel Ballantyne 

Cheif Executive Officer 

Installation view – Hiroe Swen

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Staffing Report 

The staffing structure as at 30 June 2014: 

I loved teaching and 

participating in the 

monthly integrated 

dance workshops for 

all abilities. 

Tutor, via online Survey 

Volunteers 

Over 40 registered Volunteers plus Board members provide an 

average of over 200 hours per month of invaluable assistance 

– the equivalent of one and a half extra full time staff. The Arts 

Centre relies heavily on this volunteer support and involvement 

to fulfil its vision and goals. Ongoing training ensuring that 

tasks are well matched to skills and interests wherever possible 

remains an essential commitment. 

BAC Volunteers at the annual Volunteer thank you party

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Artistic Program 

Belconnen Arts Centre strives to be an outstanding centre 

of arts and cultural activity in the ACT and to fuel a love of 

and engagement with the arts. We encourage participation 

in lifelong learning within a cultural and creative framework, 

and strive to cement the Arts Centre’s place in the ACT as a 

leader in community cultural development. 

Artistic development is encouraged and celebrated through 

all the Art Centre’s activities, including a diverse and 

dynamic range of exhibitions, arts workshops, community 

projects and events. Our strategies play to our existing 

strengths by consolidating program activity around major 

program offerings and partnerships with those who are 

eager to embrace and support what we do. 

Over the last five years the BAC program has seen a 

dramatic growth in the development of the Community 

Cultural Inclusion Program (CCIP), a community–engaged 

contemporary arts program working with local and regional 

communities as well as fostering interstate and international 

connections. It collaborates with artists, communities and 

organisations to build capacity, create opportunities and 

support participation in contemporary arts and community 

cultural development across the ACT and beyond. 

Total visitation and participation for the year was 46,236, 

an increase of 6% from 2012–13. 

The Exhibitions Program 

The Exhibitions Program involves use of the four 

exhibition spaces: the Main Gallery, Outdoor Gallery, 

Foyer and the Arts Lounge and provides opportunities 

for artists to exhibit in a professional and curated 

fashion. All media are considered and exhibitions vary 

from solo exhibitions to major group shows. Each 

exhibition also offers a public program of Meet the 

Artist talks and associated workshops. 

From July 2013 to June 2014, the Arts Centre 

presented: 14 exhibitions in the Main Gallery; 14 in the 

Foyer; 12 in the Arts Lounge and one in the Outdoor 

Gallery. 

Community groups exhibiting were: Majura Women’s 

Group; Australian Chinese Culture Exchange and 

Promotion Association (ACCEPA); the Radford College 

Art Show; Paperworks Inc; and University of Canberra 

students from the Arts and Design Faculty. 

ACT Community Services Directorate Participation 

(Seniors) Grants funding supported Snappy seniors 

workshop and exhibition program with tutor and 

photographer Sean Davies. 

Main Gallery exhibitions included: Intersections, 

BAC’s third community show with over 60 artists, 

and this year included guest exhibitors University of 

Canberra’s Lu Rees Archives of Children’s Literature; 

master printmaker Jo Hollier in a solo show 

Process and Possibility; Mungo Woman by Brenda 

Runnegar, 100: Celebrating Canberra’s Centenary by 

contemporary quilting group tACTile, which resulted in 

one of the group’s major works being purchased by the 

ACT Legislative Assembly for its collection. Farming 

without fences: how Aborigines made Australia by 

Helen Tiernan was opened by author Bill Gammage to 

a standing room only audience; The Neighbourhood 

Project by Jacklyn Peters; Fossilised Water and 

Petrified Air by Jacqui Malins; Bowls, Baskets, Blankets 

& Boats by Jenny Manning; and the Unmade Edges 

Legacy exhibition, a follow–up program from the 

Centenary–funded Portrait of a Nation: Unmade 

Edges Project. The exhibition program by respected 

and internationally–known ceramicist Hiroe Swen 

(enriched by support from the Japanese Embassy) was 

a standout show in BAC’s history with nearly 150 works 

by the 81 year old artist and generating record sales. 

BAC presented College Express 5, with outstanding 

artworks by Year 11 & 12 students from Daramalan, 

Dickson, Gungahlin, Hawker, Radford and St Francis 

Xavier Colleges and Burgmann Anglican School, Melba 

Copland Secondary School and UC Secondary College 

Lake Ginninderra filled all the Arts Centre’s interior 

exhibition spaces. Support by Ray White Belconnen 

provided the first Ray White Art Award for $500 and 

also a $100 People’s Choice Award. 

Foyer exhibitions included Enclosures by Beverley 

Thomas; Lake, Forest, Sky by Judi Power Thompson, 

Julie Bradley & Elizabeth Faul; Stills / Fragments / 

Landscapes, by Louise Curham and Jo Law; In/Doors by 

Craig Cameron and Eva Louise; Cornucopian Bounty, 

by Ying Zhang; The Rural Series, by Ray McJannett (an 

ACT Heritage Festival Program) and The Water Element 

by Marilyn Stretton. 

Arts Lounge use continues to grow as a unique space 

that artists find intimate and yet adaptable and is 

booked throughout the year. Shows included: Finding 

balance: Mura gadi by Tracey Benson; Canberra 

Centenary–what’s so great about it?, organised by 

Barak Zelig; Starting Point, an exhibition of works by 

the ACE Grant–funded program participants; Conserve 

Canberra’s Vegetation by James Rowell; Grey Matters 

by Karen Green; Urban Weavings organised by Ann 

McMahon & Jane Whitten; A little bird told me by 

children’s book author Mimi King; Synesthesia by 

Kieran Stopp; It’s about textiles Beverley Thomas; and 

Fabrique, contemporary jewellery by Maria Klingner. 

Each year the Arts Centre awards an exhibition to a 

graduating ANU School of Art student as part of the 

Emerging Artist Support Scheme (EASS). In late 2013 

EASS Recipient Roger Jillard exhibited his sculptural 

works in the Outdoor Gallery. In 2014 the Arts Centre 

awarded the inaugural Bermagui Sculpture on the Edge 

Exhibition Prize to Mike MacGregor, for an exhibition in 

BAC’s Outdoor Gallery in 2015. 

Visitor response to these exhibitions continues to be 

appreciative with all exhibitions offering works for sale. 

Belconnen Arts Centre Inc. takes a 30% commission 

on all sales but does not hold any work in its stock 

inventory. 

Dance Kaleidoscope

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Community Cultural Inclusion Program 

Highlights in 2013 were the production of two Centenary 

of Canberra projects that delivered arts activity to the 

farthest corners of the ACT. For SPIN, Community Cultural 

Inclusion Officer (CCIO) Nicola Lambert commissioned the 

Spin Cube and invited participation by young people from 

the Messengers, Bungee and Catholic Care programs. The 

interactive cube, performances and workshops at Woden, 

Tuggeranong and Gungahlin skate parks invited further 

youth and community participation. As part of SPIN, basket 

makers added to the open day activities of the Craft Hub at 

Watson Arts Centre. 

Portrait of a Nation: Unmade Edges – Distinctive Places 

managed by Ann McMahon for BAC engaged 13 artists to 

deliver visual arts outcomes and events for communities 

in Pialligo, Oaks Estate, Tharwa, Hall, Stromlo and Uriarra. 

The night time projections, community paste ups and 

storytelling, public sculpture, gigantic wind chimes and 

site specific installations provided a focus for a series of 

launches and events. The artists and works were brought 

together for a legacy exhibition at BAC in early 2014. 

Responding to this year’s NAIDOC Week theme Serving 

Country: Centenary & Beyond, BAC hosted a discussion 

forum, Serving Country Creatively planned by Robyn 

Higgins. This event featured prominent local indigenous 

business and arts figures. Indigenous visual art and social 

history exhibitions filled every gallery space along with 

weaving workshops and a temporary public art intervention 

titled Rainbow Serpent Wrap, by CIT Yurauna Centre 

Students. 

Vulnerable people living with disabilities and mental health 

consumers have had the opportunity to participate in high 

quality programs offering training and skills development 

responding to the needs of participants, while also aiming 

to deliver significant public outcomes. Robin Davidson 

was engaged early in 2014 to continue his work in theatre 

with people who have experienced mental illness and 

carers through Move Speak Act. This project will result 

in a performance in the BAC Dance Studio as part of the 

Mindscapes Festival of Art and Mental Health under an 

agreement with the Mindscapes Festival Committee. 

The Disability Information Support Hub (DISH) exhibition 

program has also continued on a quarterly basis, 

providing opportunities for artists living with disability. 

The establishment of the Namadgi Community Gallery, 

with CCIO support and Tuggeranong Arts Centre (TAC) 

administration, will provide rotating opportunities 

to school groups, Indigenous artists, National Parks 

Association members and affiliates as well as professional 

artists that have participated in the Craft ACT Namadgi 

artist–in–residence program. 

Dance for People with Parkinsons, successfully piloted 

in 2013–14 with support from an Adult and Community 

Education (ACE) grant, has also expanded to TAC. CCIO 

Philip Piggin has received for a Churchill Fellowship that 

will allow him to travel to the UK and USA to further his 

knowledge of the therapeutic application and theory of 

dance in the community. 

Tuggeranong and Belconnen Arts Centres worked 

together in rebranding the CCIP throughout the past 

year. The new brand included the development of a logo, 

designed collateral and website which has allowed for 

greater visibility of Programs. The Brand was launched by 

the Minister for the Arts and promoted through the Send 

Us a Selfie project. 

With each project and collaboration, the CCIO network 

has grown. Significant partners in 2013–14 include, 

Centenary of Canberra and ACT Government, Disability 

Information Support Hub (DISH), Black Mountain 

School, Parkinsons ACT, Australian National University, 

Canberra Institute of Technology, Museum of Australian 

Democracy, Namadgi Park, National Parks Association 

(ACT), Pialligo Residents Association, Oaks Estate and 

Hall Progress Associations, Friends of the Hall School 

House Museum, Belconnen Community Services, Bandu 

Catering, the Mindscapes Committee, Watson Arts 

Centre, Hands On Studio, Gold Creek Station and Craft 

ACT Craft and Design Centre. 

Artspace, facilitated by Nicola Lambert is another 

participant driven program that is providing professional 

visual art development for people living with disability. 

The project aims to create large scale interactive visual art 

displays for Shapes in Space, the annual BAC exhibition 

for the International Day of People with a Disability late in 

2014. It is anticipated that a thorough evaluation of this 

program, led by Robyn Higgins, will provide valuable 

insights and compelling evidence about the impacts of 

such programs on the lives of vulnerable people. 

Galamban Workshop: Weave with Storytelling

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Music Performances 

BAC is developing a reputation as a quality destination 

for the presentation of a diverse range of musical 

presentations, with good feedback regarding acoustics, 

views, atmosphere, staff and volunteers. Thus over the 

12 month period some 17 musical presentations were 

delivered at the Arts Centre. 

These included in 2013: 

Smells Like Centenary Spirit “Plaitloud” with MusicACT; 

Sound The Horns with Music for Everyone; Oh Happy 

Day with the Gospel Folk Choir Canberra; T J James 

CD Launch with T J James and Amber Nichols; Cicilia 

Kemezys; Earthbeat Concert with Shortis & Simpson and 

Ecopella, presented by Common Grounds Exhibition and 

Research; A Taste Of The Resonants with The Resonants 

Choir; Herbs And Spice with UC Music, including the UC 

Chorale, the U Can Sing Childrens Choir, and soloists 

Christina Wilson and Matt Withers; Rhythm Syndicate 

Sings A Century with Rhythm Syndicate; Loungin’ By The 

Lake Christmas Concert with Shades of Monday plus 

supporting performances from Canberra Chordsmen, 

Ginninderra Wind Orchestra, lst Minute Jazz, SwingKatz, 

Paul Parolo and Sarah Mamalai. Water based 

performances were from Traditional Boat Squadron, 

Lake Burley Griffin Canoe Club, Lake Burley Griffin Stand 

Up Paddler Boarders and the Ice Dragons Paddle Club 

Outriggers. 

In 2014 music performances continued with: 

Songs Of Bijou with Chrissie Shaw and Alan Hicks; 

Songs Of Peace and War with the UC Chorale, led by 

Alan Hicks with soloists Jessica Harper, Christina Wilson, 

David Yardley and Rohan Thatcher, and the UC Choral 

Ensemble. 

As part of the Second Sunday Coffee Concerts we were 

delighted to present Trumpet Club led by Zach Raffan; 

Persian Ney with Sina Taghavi; The Night Café with Leila 

Gato and Michael Dalvean; Andrew Blanch and Callum 

Henshaw Play Solos and Duos with Andrew Blanch and 

Callum Henshaw; The Bison Embassy with Marianne 

Scholem, Susannah Brown, Lea Ridley, Shane McPherson 

and Jarrod Schindler. 

Dance Performances 

To celebrate the fourth birthday of the Arts Centre 

the resident dance companies and some dance 

organisations in our local community were invited 

to present a taste of their work. Performers included 

GOLD from Canberra Dance Theatre, Bollywood 

Dimensions, Hilal Dance Canberra, Nia Canberra, 

Canberra Dance Development Centre (with 4 

performance troupes), The Bush Dancers Display Group 

from The Monaro Folk Society, and Fusako Skelton 

(ex-ballerina from K Ballet, Japan and Vienna Festival 

Ballet, UK). 

In a partnership with Quantum Leap Youth Dance 

Company BAC presented Soft Landing, the project 

involved some 10 emerging dance professionals from 

around Australia coming together for a 3 week intensive 

residency in Canberra. They presented an informal 

showing of short works responding to the space, 

architecture, light, geography and textures of BAC as 

part of the 3 week project. 

Dance On The Edge again featured some of Canberra’s 

quality professional and semi–professional dancers 

and film makers. A two performance packed out 

season included very impressive works, presented by 

independent artists Holly Diggle and Dance Northside 

Performance Group, Elizabeth Cameron Dalman from 

Mirramu Dance Company, Lauren Vieira, Hilal Dance 

Canberra, Jamie Winbank and Jake Kuzma. Dance films 

by Cadi McCarthy and Alison Plevey also featured. 

Community Events 

With the Centenary of Canberra in full swing BAC 

played a significant role in presentations through 2013. 

These included: 

One River presented by Centenary of Canberra, with 

10 groups from the Murray–Darling Basin filling every 

space of the Arts Centre, which made for arguably the 

most memorable event of the year. With a variety of 

high quality and multi–faceted arts projects, showcasing 

the activity taking place throughout the Basin, the event 

was about connecting with communities, exploring 

points of common interest and convergence, and 

acknowledging the national capital’s location within the 

Basin and to the watery heart of the country. 

Canberra Model Shipwrights presented by the 

Canberra Model Shipwrights Society Inc., attracting 

some 200 model ships from around the country. 

Cross Currents, an artists forum to explore and 

address the ethnicity, creativity and power of cultural 

interchange from the rich and colourful contributions of 

the many multicultural artists living in Canberra, invited 

presenters Heike Qualitz (Visual Artist), Adelina Larsson 

(Dance Artist), Raoul Craemer (Writer and Actor) and 

Salar Ayoubi (Musician). Noonee Doronilla moderated 

the event. 

Photochemical Games by Louise Curham looked at and 

explored how films can be hand made through hand 

processing and hand printing and other processes. 

The Kids Are Alright explored the ins and outs of writing 

children’s and young adult fiction with Anthony Eaton, 

from the University of Canberra. 

BAC presented two walking tours of the adjacent lake 

in Discovering Lake Ginninderra, led by Ngunawal 

Custodian Tyronne Bell and freshwater scientist Dr Fiona 

Dyer, and produced by Common Ground Exhibitions 

and Research. 

Melbourne Cup At BAC was presented with fabulous 

fashion and flair from the students of CIT Fashion and 

Design School. 

The Christmas Twilight Market allowed local artists and 

producers to present their wares to Belconnen audiences. 

It attracted the highest market audience to date with over 

662 people. 

Australia Day 2014 was another busy and successful 

family event featuring gallery tours, workshops in a variety 

of art forms and kite making, music performances and 

a BBQ to complete the day. Visitors again appreciated 

having something different and local, away from the 

crowds at Lake Burley Griffin. It was also an important 

opportunity for our various resident arts organisations to 

offer a free taste of arts activities they will be providing 

over the coming year. 

First Wednesday Video Club, led by local artist 

Judi Power Thomson, provided a low cost monthly 

opportunity for interested artists to deepen their 

knowledge and understanding of different and significant 

European artists. 

Seniors Week Tea & Tour was held to celebrate and 

acknowledge this significant and valued group in the local 

community. This low cost event included free exhibition 

tours and a free concert by local senior music, theatre and 

dance performers, and visual artists. This included Con 

Brio – U3A Choir, GOLD from Canberra Dance Theatre, 

Elizabeth Cameron Dalman from Mirramu Creative Arts, 

Camilla Blunden and Chrissie Shaw. Visual artists included 

John Fabri, Jane Whitten and Ann McMahon. 

The following Christmas Market at BAC was another well 

supported and successful event, with the addition of 3 

stallholders with disability, an inclusion initiative as part 

of the Community Cultural Inclusion Program. A solid 

attendance of 550 people attended. 

UC Chorale

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We love the School 

Holidays Children’s 

Art Workshops. I also 

attended a number of 

musical events, these 

were very well organised 

Adult Workshops and Classes 

The dance program continues to be very active in the 

Dance Studio with ever more demand throughout the 

week. Hirers over the 12 months included the Canberra 

Dance Company, the Canberra School of Bollywood 

Dancing, Capoeira, the Flamenco Centre, Hilal Dance, 

Kokoloco Dance Studio, Mirramu Dance Company, Nia 

with Emily Appleton, Prenatal Yoga with Yoga Mamma, 

Room to Move dance for all abilities, Silver Soles 

Clogging Inc., Salsabor, Subsdance, and Dance for 

People with Parkinson’s, run by Parkinsons ACT. 

In 2013 visual arts workshops included Starting Point 

with Nicolette Black; Art Soiree with Jo Hollier; Your 

Bojagi with Beverley Thomas; Let Yourself Go! with 

Judy Power Thomson; Drawing: Everything You Need 

to Know with Corinna Little; three workshops by 

Gabriella Hegyes, (Staining and Dying with Natural 

Materials, Printing from Natural and Made materials, 

Encaustic Mixed Media); Solar Etching with Barak Zelig 

and Third Tuesday Textiles with Ann McMahon. 

In 2014 workshops included Art Soiree with Jo Hollier 

and Julie Bradley; Cartooning with Andrew Hore; 

Drawing the Nude with Leigh D Walker; A Fresh 

Look at Nature with Jacqui Malins; Starting Point with 

Nicolette Black; a variety of textile workshops with Ann 

McMahon; Upcycling Basketry with Jane Whitten; Zen 

Drawing with Dr Suzanne Moss and Zine Making with 

Canberra Zine Emporium. These were delivered by 

local and visiting artists, and also by artists with 

concurrent exhibitions at the Arts Centre. 

The Arts Centre again received funding from the 

ACT Government Participation (Seniors) Grants and 

Sponsorship program to run Snappy Seniors with Sean 

Davey – a photography course for Seniors in 2014. 

Artspace with Nicola Lambert, assisted by Moira 

Nelson, is a Visual Arts Program for people 

experiencing disability and disadvantage, and was 

made possible with the support of ACT Adults 

Community Education Grants Program. Its focus is to 

offer opportunities to learn about art, gain arts skills and 

training, to create and promote the student’s artwork, 

and take part in the arts world by visiting local galleries 

and exhibitions. 

Music workshops occurred weekly, and included 

Hour Song for seniors by Lindsay Nesci, rehearsals by 

Choir in Residence Shades of Monday, and lessons in 

Flamenco Guitar by the Flamenco Centre. 

Children’s Workshops and Classes 

The success of music and dance classes for children 

and young people continued in the Dance Studio, 

with a diverse program of classes for toddlers to teens 

being offered throughout the week by Blueberries 

from Dance Central, and Bollywood with the Canberra 

School of Bollywood Dance. 

The creative arts program for children has witnessed 

growth in enrolments. In these students learned skills 

in book making, weaving, printing, sculpture, drawing 

and painting, craft, and papermaking. Participants 

were also offered a taste of Indigenous Arts with Lyndy 

Delian and Jenny Dries for NAIDOC Week. Other 

tutors included Sally Adair, Antonia Aitken, Nicolette 

Black, Heather Brenchley, Holly Edworthy, Mimi King, 

Ann McMahon and Paperworks Inc. 

On–going term classes for young people are divided 

into 2 age groups; Small Art Adventures for 5–7 year 

olds, and Big Art Adventures for 8–12 year olds. These 

have been increasingly successful, and have been led 

by a team of local artists and educators, including 

Mary Kayser, Maria Kunz, Leigh D Walker and Julie 

Bradley. The monthly First Friday and Saturday Fun 

program for under–fives, led by local artist and BAC 

Volunteer Marg Gordon, has also continued to grow, 

and plays a significant place in the provision of quality 

early childhood visual arts experiences. 

We continued our partnership with Ray White 

Belconnen which enables a significant reduction in 

Children’s Workshop fees creating a more accessible 

program and close to sold out attendance for School 

Holiday Programs and on–going term classes. We are 

indebted to Ray White Belconnen for making possible 

these workshops to continue with such affordability to 

all children in our community. 

and enjoyable. 

Visitor, via online Survey

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Artists in Residence 

The Artist in Residence (AIR) program was initiated 

mid–2010 to provide opportunities for artists and 

groups to obtain support to realise projects or to 

develop an enterprise. 

The first residency to come to fruition for the 12 

month period was in April 2014, and undertaken by 

Cadi McCarthy and Company, developing a work 

titled That Place In Between, with 9 performers 

and music score by local musician Reuben Ingall. 

It included open community workshops, 2 sold 

out showings of the work in progress, and post– 

performance discussions. 

The second AIR was by visual artist Angela Parragi, 

who occupied one of the Creative Workshops for 

May to July. Angela worked on a number of large 

scale works for an exhibition at CCAS Manuka, titled 

The Anatomy of Life, and included portraits and 

anatomical illustrations using drawings, watercolour 

and oil paintings. 

AIR programs are an essential and exciting component 

of the Arts Centre program, supporting artists and 

groups from our region and beyond to enrich the 

cultural life of the ACT. 

Media and Marketing 

The past year has seen the continued growth of 

Belconnen Arts Centre’s brand and recognition in the 

Canberra community. Through targeted marketing, 

specific audiences have been reached including 

children, young people, seniors, cultural groups, 

Belconnen’s local residents and artists. An emphasis 

has been placed on researching and understanding 

who the Belconnen and North Canberra population 

is made up of, and where the Arts Centre’s audiences 

come from. These statistics inform and inspire future 

marketing campaigns. 

While learning about our audiences the Arts 

Centre has also looked internally to gain a deep 

understanding of which areas of activity needed 

increased visibility. A conscious shift has been made in 

the past year to promote Workshops and Events taking 

place at the Arts Centre as a major offering, alongside 

our established and successful Exhibition Program. 

This shift in focus has seen the creation of a unique 

designed piece dedicated to Classes and Events. This, 

in turn with online marketing and advertising, has seen 

increased enrolments in Workshops (which often sell 

out) and consistently well attended Events. 

Stage 2 development has been an ongoing focus of 

marketing campaigns. A specific Stage 2 web page 

has been created, and social media has been used 

as a platform to educate and excite the public about 

Belconnen Arts Centre’s future completion. 

Media coverage of the Arts Centre’s activities has 

continued to be positive and frequent. A number of 

featured reviews have been published about major 

Exhibitions and Events have received reviews, editorial 

and listings in online, print, radio and television 

coverage. 

In keeping with best contemporary practice Belconnen 

Arts Centre has made a conscious shift to online 

platforms, including an online ticket booking system, 

which has been expanded to cover workshop 

enrolments. The majority of Belconnen Arts Centre 

advertising is now also online, using websites such as 

The Canberra Times and Her Canberra as advertising 

platforms. 

As Belconnen Arts Centre celebrates its fifth 

birthday the design templates have been updated 

with a fresh, bold and accessable aesthetic. 

Designed pieces are created in house, including 

exhibition catalogues, event programs, fliers, 

posters and reports. 

The Community Cultural Inclusion Program was 

rebranded in the past year, with the aim of clearly 

identifying CCIP programs to audiences and 

increasing the public’s awareness of the Program. 

The rebrand saw the creation of a new website, logo, 

colour suite and fonts. 

Further References available at Belconnen Arts Centre 

• Copies of July–December 2013 and January–June 

2014 program brochures 

• Media Summary 

• Archive of media coverage, printed invitations and 

posters July 2013–June 2014 

Cadi McCarthy and Company present That Place In Between 

An online focus has again proved powerful in reaching 

audiences. Social media platforms have seen growth 

of 40%, reaching a total 2,000 people. Belconnen Arts 

Centre’s website received 4,600 views each month, up 

from 3,700 in the previous year. Targeting e–newsletter 

lists have grown substantially, now going out to a 

combined list of 3,500 people.

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Venue Hire 

A major redesign of the Venues and Hiring section 

of the website was undertaken in September 2013, 

allowing clients to easily understand the offering, 

rates and inclusions of Belconnen Arts Centre’s 

key commercial offering. This change, plus direct 

marketing to new and existing clients, has seen 

regular use of Belconnen Arts Centre’s spaces for both 

creative and commercial use. 

A tiered rates system has ensured accessibility to all 

levels of our community, particularly artists and not– 

for–profit groups. The Foyer is regularly used for both 

commercial and private events, with several major 

events held per month. 

Meeting Room usage continues to grow steadily. 

The key clients of this space are Belconnen based 

Government Departments and not–for–profit 

associations and groups on a casual basis. 

The Arts Centre has continued to maintain its 

membership with the Canberra Convention Bureau, 

and this relationship continues to strengthen. For 

the first time Belconnen Arts Centre was included in 

the Bureau’s North side Venue Familiarisation, which 

toured venues in North Canberra and introduced a 

number of new clients to the Centre’s offering. 

Responding to community demand, the Arts Centre has 

introduced new Venue hire packages. These include a 

Wedding Package, Children’s Birthday Party Package, 

and a Primary Schools Multi Arts Experience Package. 

Lake side, Belconnen Arts Centre

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Belconnen Arts Centre is an 

initiative of and is supported 

by the ACT Government 

Belconnen Arts Centre 

118 Emu Bank Belconnen ACT 

www.belconnenartscentre.com.au 

02 6173 3300

2013—2014 ANNUAL REPORT

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