Windmill Theatre Company and Country Arts SA Benefactors of Creative Australia’s New Creative Futures Fund
The Creative Futures Fund supports extraordinary, bold new works that will bring distinctly Australian stories to audiences across Australia and around the world.
Image Claudio Raschella
Creative Australia’s Creative Futures Fund is a new initiative aimed at supporting arts projects across Australia. It comes after the Australian Government released its 2023 National Cultural Policy Revive: A Place for Every Story, a Story for Every Place – a five-year plan to renew and revive Australia's arts, entertainment and cultural sector.
The Creative Futures Fund will bring Aussie stories to audiences across the country and the world, with an investment of $7.8 million this year to support 20 large-scale creative projects in every state and territory.
The first investment round comprised of two funding streams, Development and Delivery, with 14 organsiations reciving Development investment “to explore new ideas, adapt existing works, and test market potential,” while a further 6 organisations were awarded Delivery investment “to realise bold new works, build partnerships and co-investment and deliver lasting impact.”
The initial round of funding has seen two South Australian organisations, Country Arts SA and Windmill Theatre Company, receive support.
“These South Australian projects are striking in their ambition and authenticity,” said Creative Futures Fund Director, Wendy Martin. “Kumarangk and Mama Does Derby show us how powerful stories can emerge from community, history, and lived experience and be transformed into extraordinary audience experiences.”
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Ngarrindjeri mi:minar Cultural Authority-Aunty Sandra Saunders, Aunty Margaret Brodierepresenting her late mother Aunty Veronica Brodie, and Aunty Ellen Trevorrow, missingfrom image is Tahlia and Illira Wanganeenwho represent their nana the late Dr. DoreenKatinyeri. Photography Collen Raven Strangways
Country Arts SA, which has been operating for 32 years, will use their grant to develop new theatre production, Kumarangk. Led by Wathaurong/Ngarrindjeri theatre director Glenn Shea and Wathaurong/Ngarrindjeri playwright Tracey Rigney, alongside a cast of Ngarrindjeri mi:minar (Ngarrindjeri women), Kumarangk is a landmark First Nations story that comprises a theatre production, exhibition and feature documentary.
Windmill Theatre Company, known globally for creating contemporary theatrical works for children, teenagers and families, are presenting Mama Does Derby. Co-created by director Clare Watson and writer Virginia Gay, and co-commissioned by Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival and Brisbane Festival, this immersive production takes place on a custom roller derby track. Mixing live music with real roller derby stars, the mother-daughter story is a high-octane performance with heart.
“Support from the Creative Futures Fund is allowing us to bring Mama Does Derby to life — A story that has been rolling around in my head for years, ever since I moved to a regional town as a single parent,” says director Watson. “Mama Does Derby is a fierce, funny and heartfelt production about family, freedom and the power of finding your people.”
For more information about the Creatives Futures Fund, click here.
