Reflection: End of Financial Year

As June slips away, it’s almost time to say goodbye to the 2019/20 Financial Year! Despite the turbulence of COVID-19, I’d like to celebrate the good stuff and share some recent insights:

As we head into July, I’m also preparing (with much excitement!) to launch the new ‘Services’ tab on my website, with a new, simplified pricing structure and list of professional services available to you and your organisation.

I’m currently taking inquiries for the new Financial Year - if you’re looking for support during July-November please do get in touch before I’m fully booked! I would like to thank all my clients, both ongoing and new, who have chosen to work with me over the last Financial Year and I look forward to supporting you into the future!

My residency with CQ RASN as part of the artist ‘at home’ residency program has also continued throughout this month (new art works pictured above). I’ll be sharing further reflections on my experience during this time on the Tough and Tender Beauty Round 2 blog shortly, before the residency period wraps up on Friday 3 July. Later in July, I’ll be exhibiting some art works created during this time at a number of Kingaroy businesses - further information coming soon!

To make it even easier to find out what I’m up to, including works in progress from the Tough and Tender Beauty residency, you can now follow me on Instagram (@oliviaeverittprojects) and LinkedIn:

The fourth session of South Burnett Arts Hour was held on Tuesday and it was fantastic to hear from Lisa Stephenson (Manager - Cultural Services, Fraser Coast Regional Council) about the role of the arts in the Maryborough CBD revitalisation project over the last few years, as well as the recently opened Mary Poppins Story Bank Museum. I’d also like to say a big ‘thank you!’ to my fellow CQ RASN artists-in-residence Nanette Blanchin, Peta Lloyd, Katina Olsen and Jodie van de Wetering for joining in and sharing so openly about their residency projects. A recording of the session will be available shortly here.

South Burnett Arts Hour will return on Tuesday 21 July 12-1pm - stay tuned for details!

Lastly, I’d like to draw attention to a couple of news items coming out of the arts sector:

• Announced today! $250 million announced by the Morrison Government to support the arts industry across a number of schemes, including $75 million in competitive grants to support festivals, live performance, touring etc. Press release here - this is one to watch!
  

• Queensland Government Arts & Cultural Recovery Package: $22.5 million support to the arts sector to be rolled out over the next 2 years, including $2.9 million for local Councils, artists, organisations and festivals to invest in new arts products and experiences and enhance cultural tourism. More information here - first funding to be open for applications from 1 July 2020.
  

• Regional Arts Fund Recovery Boost: Once-off investment of $10 million for regional arts from the Australian Government. Three streams of funding available with short, medium and long term support on offer which will be administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance through the Regional Arts Fund. First funding open for applications from 1 July 2020 and progressively rolled out from there - read more here.

More to come!
Olivia

Meet Olivia!

Hello, I’m Olivia and I’m the face behind this one-woman microbusiness, working with and supporting community, business and government through a range of consulting services focused on Projects, Planning, and Funding (view the range of professional services available here).

I live in the beautiful South Burnett region in Queensland, located just a click of the mouse away, or 2.5 hours from Brisbane. Previously based in Cairns and Brisbane, I now call Kingaroy home alongside my family - my husband, our three young children, a naughty black Labrador and four chickens. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) in 2010, I’m currently studying a Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management) with Deakin University, on track (fingers crossed!) to complete at the end of 2021.

At the end of 2019, I found myself so busy working in my business, that working on my business dropped so far down the priority list, that it tumbled off altogether (can you relate?)!

I’ve set myself a number of business development goals for 2020 and I’m looking forward to sharing my progress through regular blog updates.

February - reflecting on some of the highlights from ‘the month that was’:

• Created a Grants Pipeline for a not-for-profit client, mapping upcoming government grant opportunities and corporate sponsorship options suitable for their goals and deliverables

• Submitted two scholarship applications to support my postgraduate studies (Sue Nattrass Scholarship - Masters, and the Centre for Women & Co Scholarship Fund)

• Submitted a fellowship application to the National Regional Arts Fellowship program to support a professional development/mentorship opportunity

• Traveled to Gayndah for a client meeting (have I mentioned how much I love the North Burnett? My last time in Gayndah was a family visit to their annual Orange Festival, what a hoot!)

Podcasts that are ‘striking a chord’, or next on my playlist:

• Creative Responders: “A new podcast that explores the power of arts and culture in disaster preparedness and recovery” - listen here.
  

• NAVA in Conversation: Episode 51: “Cr Jess Scully in conversation with Penelope Benton about the importance of having more creative people in politics and in government and how to get involved at a local level.” - listen here.
  

• Starving Artist: Episode 1: “Five years ago Tom Dickins did something that many people would find stupid: on the back of advice from his friend Amanda Palmer, he decided to quit his job and, without savings, live off his art. He had no plan, no idea, but a lot of enthusiasm and resourcefulness.” - listen here.

Taking final inquiries for 2019!

I’ve had the privilege of working with some fantastic not-for-profit organisations, community groups, businesses and local government this year and my availability for 2019 is ALMOST entirely snapped up. If you would like to work together then I have some space left in November & December before I will be fully booked for the year!

Thank you to all the clients, partners and supporters who have come along for the ride this year and if you would like to work together in 2020, please get in touch now!